The number of visitors to Macau, Asia’s gambling and casino hub, increased by 30.7% in 2021 despite the current COVID-19 pandemic and the city’s strict travel restrictions. The new data was published by the local administration.
The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) attributes this significant growth to its “efforts to organize several mega events and activities in the city”.
Throughout the year, MGTO launched initiatives to improve the city’s image for potential tourists. These include a series of “Macau Weeks” aimed at promoting the city as a safe and quality tour destination.
And those efforts seem to be bearing fruit. The total number of visitors reached almost 7.71 million in 2021, and the average daily volume of visitors exceeded 21,000.
Chinatown has always been a major tourist attraction
The average length of visitor stay has also increased. Overnight visitors, who accounted for 48% of all arrivals, stayed in the city for an average of 3.2 days, 14% longer than in 2020.
Tourists also spent more in Macau. Data from the Macau Statistics and Census Office shows that total guest spending between January and September 2021 was more than 94 billion Patacas (about $11 billion), an increase of more than 130% over the period.
The city has a three-point plan to develop tourism. “This year, in line with three major strategies, MGTO plans to expand visitor sources, accelerate tourism recovery, and boost the local economy,” the administration said in a statement.
Basic MGTO Strategies:
- improve online and offline promotion;
- deepen cross-sectoral “tourism integration +” and stimulate the development of quality tourism;
- strengthen regional cooperation and increase the attractiveness of Macau.