Macau welcomed more than 215,000 visitors during the first two days of the Chinese New Year (CNY) Golden Week, reinforcing expectations of a strong seasonal rebound for the city’s tourism and integrated resort (IR) sector.

According to data released by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and preliminary figures from the Public Security Police Force, daily arrivals surpassed 100,000 on both days, with Mainland Chinese visitors accounting for the bulk of traffic. Authorities reported smooth border operations across key checkpoints, including the Border Gate and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Strong Early Momentum for Golden Week

Golden Week remains one of Macau’s most critical peak periods, particularly for the premium mass gaming segment. Industry analysts note that hotel occupancy across Cotai properties has approached near-full capacity, with average room rates rising compared to the same period last year.

Major operators including:

• Galaxy Entertainment Group

• Sands China

• MGM China

• Melco Resorts & Entertainment

• Wynn Macau

• SJM Holdings

have rolled out Chinese New Year-themed events, dining promotions and retail campaigns to capture both gaming and non-gaming spend.

Premium Mass in Focus

Market watchers suggest that the strong inbound flow signals healthy demand in the premium mass segment, which has been the backbone of Macau’s post-pandemic recovery. Unlike the former VIP junket-driven model, operators are increasingly focusing on:

• Direct VIP relationships

• Premium mass gaming tables

• Retail luxury sales

• Family-friendly entertainment offerings

Recent research from credit rating agencies has highlighted Macau’s resilience, pointing to stable mass-market recovery trends despite macroeconomic headwinds in Mainland China.

Infrastructure and Diversification Strategy

The Macau SAR Government continues to emphasize economic diversification under its new 10-year concession framework. Non-gaming investments, including cultural exhibitions, live entertainment and MICE events, have become central to operators’ long-term strategies.

The strong Golden Week start aligns with Macau’s broader ambition to position itself as a “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure,” expanding beyond pure gaming dependency.

Outlook for the Week

Industry analysts expect total Golden Week arrivals to exceed 1 million if the current daily momentum continues. Gaming revenue performance will be closely monitored as February’s Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) data is expected to reflect seasonal uplift.

For IR investors and Asia-Pacific gaming stakeholders, the first two days of CNY Golden Week offer a positive signal that Macau’s tourism engine remains firmly on track in 2026.