Macao tourism lurks in darkness, yet to witness a rebound

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

China’s recent announcement of easing restrictions on international flights and opening its borders for citizens to travel abroad is widely expected to boost the tourism-driven economy of Macao, China’s gaming hub situated on south coast near Hong Kong.

But as of now, visitors can hardly be located in its casinos with China facing its worst wave of infections. From December 23-27, the city witnessed a daily average of only 8,300 arrivals, according to police data. That’s just 68% of November’s level.

On New Year’s Eve 28,100 visitors entered the city which is only 66% of the level a year ago. The daily average was 108,000 in 2019, before the pandemic

When the coronavirus hit in 2020, the city’s gambling revenue collapsed 80% to just $7.5 billion from a year earlier. In 2021, the figure recovered to $10.8 billion, but that’s still down 75% from a peak of $45 billion in 2013. Gambling revenues last year was halved to $5.3 billion.

For now, businesses and tourism stakeholders are hoping the Lunar New Year holidays in late January will help the tourism to recover in Macao, a territory of 672,000 people and a former Portuguese colony.

Macao is the only place in China where casinos are legal.

« Back to Page

• SJM Resort to Shine Brightly at Macao Tourism’s Experience Macao Singapore Roadshow

• Macao Tourism unveils ‘Buy One Get One Free’ offer for air travel to lure tourists

• Macao eases COVID rules, but tourism, casinos yet to recover

• Macao saw record tourism upturn during national holidays