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The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is confident that Macau will achieve its estimate of approximately 39 million visitor arrivals for the entire year of 2025. According to MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, who attended a gathering organized by Wynn Macau Ltd., one of the city’s leading casino operators. She quoted the positive impact of visa relaxation steps for visitors from neighboring city Zhuhai in mainland China, which have been in force since January this year, as a major driver for tourism expansion.
Forecast on a Par with Pre-Pandemic Levels
Earlier this year, the MGTO put the 2025 visitor figure between 38 million and 39 million. The director of tourism maintained the 39 million estimate is warranted by the consistent flow of visitors since visa policy reforms and staying put with that number will take Macau’s tourism figures nearly up to 99 percent of 39.4 million visitors brought in during 2019, its last relatively normal trading year prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Visa Liberalization’s Role in Growth
Macau’s open visa policies for residents of Zhuhai have driven visitor volumes higher, breaking down travel barriers and tapping into regional demand. This policy effort represents Macau’s continued drive to rebuild its tourism economy through increasing accessibility for visitors from prime mainland markets.
Strong Prospects for October Golden Week
Director Senna Fernandes also expects Macau’s tourism potential for the much-awaited October Golden Week holiday season, including China’s National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival. The MGTO is looking forward to the city welcoming approximately 1.2 million visitors for this prolonged eight-day holiday, a solid 28.6 percent increase from the same holiday season in 2024, when 932,860 visitors came. Particularly, this year’s Golden Week is one day longer than the previous year’s, adding to an increase in arrivals.
Tourism Resilience in the Face of Regional Uncertainty
Sustaining 39 million visitor targets reflects Macau’s resilience in bouncing back from the disruptions of past years. The recovery is aided by smart visa reforms and measures in some parts of the city to continue as an international gaming hub while diversifying entertainment and cultural experiences for visitors.
What this Means for Macau’s Hospitality and Tourism Sector
Sustained tourist arrivals are important to Macau’s economy, specifically to its gaming and hospitality sector. Easing by the government of practical policies, such as visa relaxation, can maintain favorable tourist momentum during key travel periods and facilitate revenue growth and employment in service industries.
Paving the Way for Stable Growth
As Macau seeks to reinforce its role as an ultimate Asian destination, approaching pre-pandemic arrivals would be a welcome indication of normalized global tourism patterns and effective policy efforts. The city’s tourism setup seems determined to evolve and thrive amid changing patterns of international travel.
Trust in Long-Term Tourism Goals
As the tourism arrivals increase and fruitful bilateral arrangements with surrounding mainland municipalities are made, Macau authorities believe in achieving the ambitious 2025 visitor arrivals targets. The trend is the basis for steady development and competitiveness for the world’s tourism industry.
Source: GGR Asia
