Marking a resounding victory for Macau’s gaming and travel stakeholders, the Christmas season has ushered in a strong surge in tourist arrivals, with more than 362,600 individuals visiting the region from December 23 to December 25, 2023. According to the Macau Public Security Police's preliminary data, around 121,000 individuals, on an average, visited the region during the holiday period. This figure of daily (average) of tourist arrivals during the Christmas holiday season surpassed the one recorded during China's National Day in autumn, which spanned eight festive days.

During China’s National Day holiday season in autumn this year, the daily average was 116,546 visitors. The highest daily average this Christmas holiday season was 133,603 visitors recorded on 23rd of December. On Christmas Eve, 24th of December, the city welcomed 120,594 arrivals, followed by 108,446 tourists who chose the world-renowned gambling hub to spend the Christmas Day. In total, Macau recorded 362,643 visitor arrivals during the holiday, with a daily average over three festive days reaching 120,881.

While the total number of visitors during the Christmas holiday season falls below the impressive 932,368 reported during China's National Day, it is crucial to note that these figures are influenced by the fact that Christmas isn’t officially recognized as a holiday in mainland China. This distinction results in a natural decline in weekday visits during this festive period. In spite of this, the daily average during the Christmas holiday season exceeded expectations, particularly due to a notable influx of tourists from Hong Kong, where Christmas is officially observed.

Hong Kong held the status of the second most significant source of tourists for Macau, while the primary points of entry, including the Border Gate checkpoint between Macau and mainland China, as well as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, recorded the majority of tourist arrivals.

Anticipating the recent robust influx during the Christmas holidays, gaming and travel sectors had foresightedly made preparations for the surge, which enabled the city warmly welcoming almost 363,000 tourists in spite of the challenging cold weather conditions. Elevating the festive daily average to nearly 121,000 tourists, this remarkable turnout showcased Macau's resilience & appeal as a dynamic destination for festive celebrations. As Macau continues to attract visitors, it not only solidifies its position as a vibrant cultural and entertainment hub but also makes significant contributions to the region's economic vitality.