The Year of the Dragon started on 10 February with festivities kicking off around the world. In the 8-day Lunar New Year holiday period, Macao expects to welcome almost one million visitors, inching closer to pre-Covid figures.
In only 6 days of the festivities in 2019, the city recorded more than one million visitors and this year is finally catching up with that number. Authorities are anticipating 960,000 tourists, with an average of 120,000 per day. Taking into account how the holiday is going so far, Macao seems on track to accomplish if not exceed inbound tourism expectations.
On 10 February, the first day of the holiday, the city recorded over the 120,000 visitors estimated. On the following day, 163,000 tourists came to Macao and, according to preliminary figures from the Public Security Police, a record 217,448 tourists entered the region on Monday, 12 February, setting a new high for single-day entries in Macao. On the busiest day of last year, the fourth of the Lunar New Year calendar, the city only saw 91,000 tourists.
According to the Association of Macao Tourist Agents, most of the visitors will be coming in groups, with an average of 200 tourist groups entering the region each of the first 7 days of the festivities. Licensed tour bus drivers’ employment rate increased by over 100% for the holiday period, showing the high demand for tour bookings, association vice-chairman Tang Ka Man pointed out.
All of the 6 gaming companies operating in the city reported they were completely booked for the holiday season peak days, while smaller hotels reported 80% to 90% occupancy, Lou Chi Leong, president of the Association of Macao Tourist Agents told the Macao Daily News. The high demand is expected to spike hotel prices from 20% to 30% during the Lunar New Year festivities.
Moreover, for the first time in 7 years, taxi fares are expected to rise. According to Macao Daily News, starting fares will increase from 19 Macanese Patacas (MOP – €2.2) to 21 MOP (€2.43), while distance fares will be adjusted from 2 MOP (€0.23) charged for every 240 metres to 2 MOP charged for every 220 metres, while waiting time fees should change from 2 MOP for every 60 seconds to 2 MOP for every 55 seconds.
