Macau’s visitor arrivals in September rose by 9.9 percent year-on-year, reaching 2,528,011, as per data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). This figure represents a return to 91.4 percent of visitor numbers recorded in September 2019.  

According to the government data, the primary source of this recovery came from mainland China, which contributed 1,743,695 visitors, a 9.7 percent rise compared to the previous year. Hong Kong also saw slight growth of 1.2 percent totalling 541,129 visitors, while arrivals from Taiwan surged by 37.3%, reaching 69,573. 

Same-day and overnight visitors 

September’s arrivals included 1,308,147 same-day visitors, reflecting a 15.6 percent year-on-year growth, while overnight arrivals grew by 4.3 percent to 1,219,864. Despite these increases, the average length of stay decreased slightly, with visitors spending an average of 1.3 days in Macau, 0.1 days less than in September 2023. 

Visitor numbers surge in the first three quarters of 2024 

Macau’s total visitor arrivals for the first three quarters of 2024 reached 25,920,914, a 30.1 percent year-on-year increase, recovering to 85.8 percent of the levels seen in the same period of 2019.    

The recovery of international tourism in Macau has been particularly strong, with a 95.1% year-on-year increase in international arrivals, reaching 1,677,550 in the first three quarters of 2024. Southeast Asian markets led this growth, with the Philippines seeing a 75.6 percent increase, and Korea recording a 210 percent surge in visitor numbers. Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore also contributed to this recovery, further solidifying Macau’s position as a leading destination in the region. Long-haul markets, including the USA, also played a role, with a substantial 83.2 percent increase in American visitors. 

Positive outlook for Macau’s tourism industry 

Macau has achieved 78.5 percent of its 2024 visitor target of 33 million arrivals by September, according to projections from the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO). As the city continues to welcome increasing numbers of regional and international tourists, Macau’s tourism sector appears poised to meet or even exceed pre-pandemic success levels by year-end.