Macau Chief Executive Confident of Over 30 Million Visitors This Year

Ho Iat Seng, the chief executive of Macau, voiced optimism about the region’s tourism prospects for the year during a recent plenary session of the Legislative Assembly.

He predicted an unprecedented increase of over 30 million visitors.

Based on a consistent average daily passenger count, Ho Iat Seng’s optimistic prediction ranges from over 36 million arrivals if numbers stay above 100,000 per day to an expected 33–34 million if the average falls to 80,000.

This hopeful forecast comes after Macau welcomed over 28 million tourists the year before, however it is still less than the record of 39.4 million visits in 2019.

MPs voiced concerns at the assembly on potential future expansions of China’s Individual Visit Scheme (IVS), which have the potential to support Macau’s tourism sector. Ho Iat Seng responded by quoting Xia Baolong, highlighting impending initiatives and fostering optimism about Macau’s tourism potential.

Ho emphasized the central government’s continuous support for Macau’s tourism industry and the continual introduction of fresh initiatives to fortify it. Examining a proposed multi-entry visa program between Macau and Hengqin is one of these initiatives; it intends to reward tour groups and boost tourism.

With Macau getting ready for what may be a tourism year to remember, all eyes are on the region’s ability to overcome setbacks and grasp opportunities for sustained growth.

Original Story by Asian Gaming Brief