Macau hotel occupancy returns to near pre-pandemic levels in August

Jenny Ortiz September 27, 2024

Macau‘s hotel industry saw a notable recovery in August 2024, with occupancy rates reaching 91.3 percent, a rise of 2.8 percentage points compared to the previous year. This figure reflects a significant rebound, bringing guest numbers back to 99.7 percent of pre-pandemic levels from August 2019.

Data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) revealed that the number of hotels providing accommodation increased to 144, adding eight new establishments year-on-year. However, the total number of available rooms remained stable at 45,000.

Five-star hotels reported an occupancy rate of 93.4 percent, while three-star hotels also performed well, with a 9.5 percentage point increase, reaching 90.8 percent. The increase in occupancy, particularly in the higher-end hotel segment, demonstrates the ongoing recovery of the hospitality sector.

Increase in international visitors and length of stay

While total guest numbers declined by 3.8 percent year-on-year to 1.26 million, international arrivals showed an upward trend. International guests rose by 21 percent, reaching 73,000, with South Korean visitors leading the way, growing by 40.3 percent to 26,000. The average length of stay for all guests remained steady at 1.6 nights, a slight improvement compared to 2019 figures, further highlighting the sector’s resilience.

Over the first eight months of 2024, the average hotel occupancy rate increased by 4.6 percentage points year-on-year to 85.5 percent. The total number of hotel guests grew by 12.9 percent, with 9.77 million guests accommodated during this period, while the average length of stay remained constant at 1.7 nights.

Surge in tour group visitors

Macau also experienced a sharp increase in inbound package tour visitors. In August 2024, tour group numbers surged by 68.8 percent year-on-year to 224,000, with visitors from mainland China making up the bulk of this increase, rising by 70.7 percent to 211,000. International tour visitors grew by 44.3 percent, with notable increases from South Korea and India.

For the first eight months of 2024, the total number of inbound package tour visitors rose dramatically by 127.6 percent to 1.39 million. Mainland China contributed significantly to this growth, while international tour visitors surged by 352.2 percent, driven by South Korean and Indian tourists. This rapid increase in group tourism highlights the strong recovery in Macau’s tourism sector.

Outlook for Macau’s hospitality sector

The overall improvement in hotel occupancy rates and the influx of international guests indicate that Macau‘s hospitality and tourism industry is well on the path to full recovery. With rising visitor numbers and longer stays, the sector is poised for continued growth throughout 2024. The return of international tourists, particularly from key markets such as South Korea and India, along with a robust increase in package tour visitors, underscores Macau’s enduring appeal as a travel destination.