Indian visitors surge as Macau recovers to pre-pandemic tourism levels

Sankunni K November 21, 2024

SiGMA news

Macau’s tourism industry is nearing pre-pandemic levels, with 3.13 million visitor arrivals in October 2024—97.7 percent of October 2019 figures. The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) a 13.7 percent year-on-year increase, and a notable 24 percent rise compared to the previous month, marking a robust recovery across multiple markets.

For India, the results are particularly promising. Visitor arrivals from India grew by 29 percent year-on-year to 8,148 in October. This surge positions India as a key contributor to Macau’s international tourism recovery, highlighting the growing appeal of Macau for Indian travellers.

Diverse tourism boom

Mainland China continues to dominate, with 2.3 million visitors (up 16.1 percent year-on-year). International markets also saw substantial growth, with total arrivals climbing 31.2 percent year-on-year. Southeast Asia performed well, with significant increases from the Philippines (+30.3 percent) and Malaysia (+47.1 percent). However, Thailand witnessed a 14.5 percent decline.

In Northeast Asia, South Korean arrivals surged by 83.5 percent to 47,069, while Japanese visitors rose 23.5 percent to 9,594. Long-haul markets such as the United States also contributed, with a 20.8 percent year-on-year rise.

India’s growing role in Macau tourism

The 29 percent growth in Indian visitors underscores a burgeoning interest in Macau as a travel destination for Indian tourists. This trend aligns with India’s increasing global outbound tourism numbers. Macau’s unique blend of luxury resorts, casinos, and cultural attractions resonates with Indian travellers seeking both leisure and entertainment.

Additionally, improved air connectivity and tailored marketing strategies targeting Indian tourists may have contributed to this rise. Macau’s recovery provides opportunities for Indian travel agencies to strengthen partnerships and tap into this expanding market.

Year-to-date progress

From January to October 2024, Macau recorded 29 million visitors, a 28.1 percent increase from 2023 and 87 percent of 2019 levels. International visitor numbers surged by 85 percent to 1.9 million, representing 73.1 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

Challenges and opportunities

While Macau’s recovery is impressive, challenges such as a 0.1-day reduction in visitors’ average length of stay to 1.1 days remain. The region must also address competition from other global tourist hubs. However, sustained growth from emerging markets like India provides optimism.