Macau sees over half a million visitors during Easter weekend
Macau experienced a strong tourism boost over the Easter holiday period, attracting more than 500,000 visitors between April 18 and 21, despite the holiday not being observed in mainland China.
According to official figures from Macau’s Public Security Police Force, the region recorded a total of 500,807 tourist arrivals during the four-day Easter weekend. The surge was primarily driven by visitors from nearby Hong Kong, as international numbers remained steady.
Visitor arrivals peak on April 19
Tourist traffic picked up quickly from the start of the holiday. On April 18, 118,999 visitors entered Macau. The following day, April 19, marked the busiest day of the weekend, with 161,309 arrivals recorded—setting the highest daily total of the period. Numbers dipped slightly on April 20 to 139,791, and by 5pm on April 21, authorities had already counted 80,708 visitors, with final figures likely to be higher after end-of-day data.
Hong Kong visitors lead the surge
President of the Macau Tourism Industry Association, Andy Wu said that Easter is not considered a major travel period in mainland China. The rise in footfall was largely attributed to short-stay tourists from Hong Kong, who often take advantage of regional holidays and weekend breaks to visit Macau.
Despite the increase, international visitor figures remained largely unchanged during Easter, reflecting ongoing travel patterns and Macau’s reliance on regional tourism for short holidays.
Heavy traffic in tourist zones
The influx of visitors resulted in crowded conditions across key tourist zones, including the historic centre, Cotai Strip, and popular entertainment venues. Public transport and ferry terminals also saw higher usage across the four days, with operators increasing capacity to manage the demand.
Focus shifts to Labour Day holiday
Tourism stakeholders in Macau are now preparing for the upcoming Labour Day holiday, running from May 1 to May 5, a major public holiday in mainland China. Historically, this period draws high volumes of Chinese tourists, and the five-day break is expected to deliver a significant boost to Macau’s tourism and gaming sectors.
Steady recovery continues
The Easter weekend figures highlight Macau’s ongoing recovery in the tourism sector, particularly in short-haul travel. While international numbers remain stable, regional visits continue to play a vital role in driving footfall and supporting local businesses.
