• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Monday 4 August 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
  • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
  • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

Macau tourist numbers hit record lows as Coronavirus impact continues to bite

Jane Ka Cheng Wong by Jane Ka Cheng Wong
Wed 12 Feb 2020 at 04:24
Macau’s casinos eerily quiet as 15-day closure begins

An empty main gaming floor at Grand Lisboa.

117
SHARES
2.1k
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

The number of tourists entering Macau is down more than 90% since 27 January 2020, with the SAR recording its lowest ever visitation last Saturday, according to data from the Public Security Police Force.

The decline began in earnest in the week running from 20 to 26 January as the impact of mainland China’s Coronavirus outbreak began to hit, with the 630,000 tourist visits representing a 30% year-on-year decline.

Since 27 January, the same day the government changed the daily closing time of the border gate from 1am to 10pm, visitor numbers have been provided on a daily basis. Notably, the government also issued a requirement on 27 January for visitors from Hubei Province to provide health certifications which guarantee they are not infected by the Coronavirus if they are to be granted entry to Macau. None have been able to provide such certification.

Tourist numbers gradually decreased from 36,000 per day to 8,000 per day from 27 January to 4 February, a period which included the Chinese New Year “Golden Week” – traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for Macau’s casino operators. However, on 4 February, two more Macau residents were found to be infected by the Coronavirus, taking the Macau total to 10. Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng subsequently announced the closure of all 41 casinos and other gaming operations from midnight on 5 February for 15 days, with the aim of preventing the virus’ spread.

Tourist numbers dropped to 4,500 on 5 February, a 43.7% decline compared with the previous day, and then plummeted to just 2,800 on Saturday 8 February – the lowest single-day total since the Public Security Police Force began keeping records.

A total of 187,000 tourists arrived in Macau between 27 January and 10 February, a 90% year-on-year decline.

Last year, over 39.4 million tourists visited Macau, including more 27 million from mainland China. On average, the city served more than 107,000 tourists every day.

Around 3,000 hotel rooms in eight hotels and 15 guesthouses have now suspended operations amid the significant drop in tourists. The number of confirmed cases of the virus in Macau remains at 10, having held steady in the first week since casinos closed their doors.

Share67Share6
Jane Ka Cheng Wong

Jane Ka Cheng Wong

Jane Ka Cheng Wong is a journalist who joined Inside Asian Gaming after working for local Macau media for many years. As part of the IAG team she covers Macau-based stories relating to politics, gaming, IRs and local associations among other topics. Jane is intrigued by unique scenarios, vibrant cultures and different people, and hopes to continue exploring new places around the world in the future.

Current Issue

Editorial – Better late than never

Editorial – Better late than never

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 31 Jul 2025 at 07:13

Inside Asian Gaming has in recent weeks been hearing increasing chatter around a possible move by Vietnamese authorities to introduce...

Angel’s Yasushi Shigeta

Angel’s Yasushi Shigeta

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 31 Jul 2025 at 07:08

Yasushi Shigeta, Chairman and owner of one of the world’s largest gaming industry suppliers, Angel Group, sits down with Inside...

The Magic Number

The Magic Number

by David Bonnet
Thu 31 Jul 2025 at 06:41

In this in-depth deep dive into the evolution of the Asian gaming landscape, David Bonnet argues that many regional jurisdictions...

Rashid Suliman – A road well traveled

Rashid Suliman – A road well traveled

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 31 Jul 2025 at 02:45

Rashid Suliman, Vice President of Global Gaming Asia-Pacific for casino solutions provider TransAct Technologies, provides some insight into his unique...

Evolution Asia
Your browser does not support HTML5 video.
Aristocrat
GLI
Nustar
SABA
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
HKUST
NWR

Related Posts

Jeju Dream Tower sets new records for casino drop, sales and visitation in July

Jeju Dream Tower sets new records for casino drop, sales and visitation in July

by Newsdesk
Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 12:47

Korea’s Jeju Dream Tower registered yet another all-time record in casino drop and visitation in July, continuing an impressive six month stretch of growth. According to information from the property’s parent company Lotte Tour, July visitation reached 56,691 – up...

Melco awarded 20-year license to operate City of Dreams Sri Lanka

As City of Dreams Sri Lanka celebrates official opening, Melco’s Lawrence Ho says Sri Lanka “can be to India what Macau is to China”

by Ben Blaschke
Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 10:46

City of Dreams Sri Lanka, the joint venture between Macau’s Melco Resorts & Entertainment and local developer John Keells Holdings, held its Grand Opening on Saturday – celebrating what the companies have described as a “landmark national transformation”. Located within...

We’re Back!

Executive reshuffle sees RWS CEO Lee Shi Ruh named President and COO of parent company Genting Singapore

by Ben Blaschke
Sat 2 Aug 2025 at 15:26

Genting Singapore has announced the promotion of Ms Lee Shi Ruh, the recently appointed CEO of Resorts World Sentosa Pte Ltd, as its new President and Chief Operating Officer. Lee has until now served as Genting Singapore’s CFO. In a...

Star to open AU$3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development on 29 August

Star’s Hong Kong partners officially terminate Queen’s Wharf Brisbane acquisition deal

by Ben Blaschke
Fri 1 Aug 2025 at 13:02

Star Entertainment Group’s Hong Kong partners have officially closed the door on a deal that would have seen them acquire Star’s 50% stake in their AU$3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development. In a Friday release, Star confirmed that Chow Tai...

Your browser does not support the video tag.


IAG

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • 中文
  • 日本語

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • 中文
  • 日本語
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • 中文
  • English
  • 日本語