Provisional statistics from the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) released at 06:00 on 7 October confirm that the Special Administrative Region welcomed 1 051 641 visitors in the first six days of the National Day holiday (1–6 October). Mainland Chinese accounted for 905 944 arrivals, while 101 947 travellers came from Hong Kong and 43 750 from other markets. The Portas do Cerco/Barrier Gate land checkpoint remained the busiest entry point, processing 497 000 people, followed by the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Hengqin joint-inspection facility. MGTO said average daily visitor numbers were 175 000—24 percent higher than 2025’s Golden Week—thanks to China’s extension of visa-free entry for 50 nations and the resumption of tour-group e-visas from Guangdong. To handle the crush, Macao deployed an automated flow-control system that throttles pedestrian access when density exceeds 70 percent of capacity, while local telecoms providers sent SMS advisories advising staggered travel. Hotels reported occupancy above 92 percent, pushing average room rates to MOP 2 150 (USD 267), a 28 percent jump on the previous year. For companies organising incentive trips or regional conferences, the surge highlights Macao’s rebound as a meeting destination but also underscores infrastructure strains at peak times. Event planners should secure hotel blocks at least six months out and consider arrival via Hengqin or Qingmao where automated channels shorten immigration formalities. MGTO forecasts a second wave of arrivals over the Chung Yeung festival later in October and is negotiating with mainland authorities to pilot “group-visa pre-clearance” that would allow tour leaders to upload manifests 24 hours before arrival, shaving inspection to under five minutes per busload.
Source: Macao Government Tourism Office
