Tuesday, September 10, 2024 The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is preparing for a major influx of tourists during the upcoming National Day Golden Week, which runs from 1 to 7 October 2024. The Director of MGTO, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, announced that the government expects an average of 100,000 visitors per day, with hopes that tourism numbers will surpass last year’s figures. This period is considered one of the busiest for Macao, as it draws in both local and international tourists eager to explore the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
Golden Week is a pivotal time for tourism in mainland China and Macao, with National Day Golden Week ranking as the third most important tourism period annually, following the Spring Festival and May Day Golden Week. Macao’s travel and tourism industry is eagerly anticipating the holiday as it promises a surge in visitor arrivals and revenue. For Macao, these Golden Week holidays are not just key tourist periods but also a litmus test for how well the industry is recovering from the pandemic’s travel disruptions.
According to Senna Fernandes, the forecast of 100,000 visitors per day during this year’s National Day Golden Week is grounded in the success Macao has seen in 2023. While the official statistics for this year’s visitor numbers have yet to be compiled, the projections are optimistic. Senna Fernandes mentioned that the government is hopeful the fireworks display, which will coincide with the holiday period, will further enhance tourist arrivals.
She stated, “This year’s National Day Golden Week will be marked by an international fireworks display , which is expected to attract more tourists to Macao. We hope the holiday will bring in an average of 100,000 visitors daily.” The summer months of July and August in 2023 were a banner period for Macao tourism.
The city welcomed 3.66 million visitors in August, marking an impressive 13% increase from the same period in 2022. This rise in visitor numbers demonstrates the city’s ability to attract tourists post-pandemic, supported by a wide array of cultural activities, casino attractions, and increased accommodation capacity.
In August 2023, Macao saw a daily average of 118,000 visitors, slightly higher than the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 when daily visitor arrivals were around 117,000. The success of the summer holidays, combined with Macao’s ability to handle large influxes of visitors, suggests that the city is well-positioned to exceed the forecasted 100,000 daily visitors during Golden Week. During the summer holiday months of July and August 2023, Macao recorded nearly 6.
685 million visitor arrivals, achieving a combined daily average of 108,000 visitors. This marked an important recovery for Macao’s tourism sector, demonstrating that the city’s appeal continues to draw in a substantial number of tourists, even in a competitive regional market. Senna Fernandes described the summer results as “very encouraging,” and with those figures in mind, the tourism office believes that Golden Week 2024 will likely be even more successful, especially with the added cultural attractions like the fireworks display.
Looking back at National Day Golden Week 2023, Macao recorded a total of 931,000 visitor arrivals over the course of the holiday, which lasted for eight days, from 29 September to 6 October. This amounted to a daily average of 116,000 visitors, reflecting the strong interest in Macao during this peak tourism period. The MGTO believes that the forecast of 100,000 daily visitors for 2024 is somewhat conservative, given last year’s numbers.
The Macao travel industry is hopeful that with a shorter seven-day Golden Week this year, the city could exceed even 116,000 daily visitors, making 2024 a record-breaking year for tourism. A significant draw for tourists during Golden Week 2024 will be the international fireworks display that is expected to take place throughout the week. Macao has always been known for its elaborate celebrations during major holidays, and the inclusion of an internationally renowned fireworks show is expected to further boost visitor interest.
Fireworks displays have historically been crowd-pullers in Macao, with tourists flocking to the city to witness these large-scale events that light up the night sky over the Macao Peninsula. This year’s event promises to be a spectacular visual experience, aimed at drawing in tourists not only from mainland China but also from neighboring regions and beyond. With Macao’s visitor numbers steadily climbing throughout 2023, the MGTO and the city’s travel trade are optimistic about what National Day Golden Week 2024 will bring.
The positive results from this year’s summer holidays, which outperformed even pre-pandemic years in some areas, suggest that Macao is well on its way to full tourism recovery. Tourism officials are keen to highlight Macao’s resilience and appeal as a top-tier destination. The city continues to draw tourists with its luxury hotels, world-class casinos, cultural landmarks, and now, its large-scale holiday events like the international fireworks display.
For Macao’s travel industry , the ability to manage and capitalize on these peak periods will be crucial as the sector navigates the challenges of increased competition from other tourism-heavy destinations across Asia. With a solid infrastructure in place and growing interest in Macao’s unique offerings, the city is poised to see a significant boost during Golden Week 2024 . As Macao prepares for National Day Golden Week 2024 , the outlook remains bright for the city’s tourism industry.
With forecasts suggesting 100,000 visitors per day and possibly exceeding that number, the week promises to be a high point for the city’s travel sector. Coupled with large-scale attractions like the international fireworks display , Macao is set to welcome tourists in droves, further boosting its economy and solidifying its position as a premier travel destination in Asia. As Senna Fernandes put it, “We hope that the National Day Golden Week will bring in an average of 100,000 visitors per day, making it a key moment in our tourism calendar.
” With the entire travel industry poised to benefit, the next Golden Week could be one for the record books..
