The Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, said Tuesday that the average number of foreign visitors to Macau each day is currently between 3,000 and 5,000, at least double the daily average of around 1,500 visitors in the first quarter.
Since the easing of border restrictions on 8 January, the number of visitors to Macau has been steadily increasing, both from mainland China and Hong Kong, and from international destinations. According to the Statistics and Census Service, there were 139,903 foreign visitors – excluding those from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan – to Macau in Q1, at a daily average of 1,550.
However, Senna Fernandes said this week, “The average daily number of visitors is now more than 60,000, which is less than before the pandemic, but visitors are more willing to enter the streets of Macau than before, boosting the business of small and medium enterprises.”
The MGTO Director also discussed the agency’s recent roadshow in Thailand – part of the government’s efforts to promote Macau to international travelers – confirming there are now 21 weekly flights from Macau to Thailand, with a new route to and from Chiang Mai to be added in July. Korean airlines are also interested in returning to Macau, providing greater capacity to lure foreign visitors.
On recent labor shortages that have limited Macau’s hotel capacity, Senna Fernandes said the situation has been steadily improving since the May Day Golden Week.
“The Labor Affairs Bureau has already held a job fair to address the shortage of hotel manpower and I believe it is only a temporary problem,” she said.
RelatedPosts
