As the 2026 Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday approaches, Macau’s tourism authorities are confidently anticipating one of the busiest travel periods in recent history — a strong signal of recovery and momentum for the city’s visitor economy.

According to the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Macau is expected to welcome an average of 158,000–175,000 visitors per day throughout the nine-day Chinese New Year holiday from February 15–23. Across the full holiday period, that equates to around 1.4–1.5 million total visitor arrivals if forecasts hold true.

This surge largely reflects the extended Spring Festival holiday — China’s biggest annual travel event — and Macau’s pull as a leading regional destination offering gaming, entertainment, cultural celebrations and leisure experiences.

Extended Spring Festival Holiday

2026’s CNY period marks one of the longest official Mainland China holidays on record. The typical seven-day break has been extended to nine days, encouraging more travel and longer stays across domestic and international markets.

China’s transportation system is gearing up for massive movement: authorities expect a record 9.5 billion passenger trips during the overall Spring Festival travel rush, underscoring the scale of demand.

Macau’s Appeal Beyond Gaming

Macau’s tourism appeal isn’t just its casinos — although gaming remains a cornerstone of its economy — but also its festivities, cultural programming and unique city vibe. This year, MGTO is staging special events like the Floats Parade, drone and fireworks displays, and extended cultural programming across the city to enhance visitor experiences.

Final Thoughts

Macau’s forecast of up to 175,000 daily arrivals during the Chinese New Year holiday is not just a tourism statistic — it signals broad confidence in Macau’s recovery, destination appeal, and strategic positioning during one of Asia’s biggest travel seasons. With nearly record tourism levels in 2025 and strong engagement from both domestic and international travelers, Macau appears well-poised for another banner year of travel and tourism growth.