Visitor arrivals to Macau hit record monthly high of 4,219,034 in August
Summary
Visitor arrivals to Macau reached a new record monthly high of 4,219,034 in August, a 15.5% increase year-on-year, according to the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC).
Mainland China remained the largest source market with 3,257,874 visitors (+18.4% y/y). Hong Kong arrivals were 681,740 (+2.8%) and Taiwan visitors were 89,057 (+21%). International visitors totalled 190,363 (+17.3%), with notable rises from Thailand (+110% to 13,417), Japan (+57.2% to 16,630) and the Philippines (+9.1% to 38,389); South Korea fell 4.7% to 35,177.
By arrival channel, land travel accounted for 3,569,811 visitors (84.6% of the total, +19.5% y/y). Sea arrivals were 372,096 (-2.8%) and air arrivals 277,127 (-2.0%). Same-day trips reached 2,553,316 (+25.1%) while overnight stays were 1,665,718 (+3.4%). For January–August 2025 combined, inbound arrivals totalled 26,895,940 (+15.0% y/y).
Key Points
- Total visitor arrivals hit a record monthly high of 4,219,034 in August (+15.5% y/y).
- Mainland Chinese visitors were the largest group at 3,257,874 (+18.4% y/y).
- International markets saw strong growth: Thailand +110%, Japan +57.2%, Philippines +9.1%.
- Land arrivals dominated (84.6%), up 19.5% year-on-year; sea and air arrivals fell slightly.
- Same-day trips surged 25.1%, while overnight stays rose more modestly by 3.4%.
- Inbound arrivals for Jan–Aug 2025 reached 26.9 million, up 15.0% year-on-year.
Context and relevance
This record month is significant for Macau’s tourism and gaming sectors as it signals robust post-pandemic recovery and strong regional travel demand, particularly from mainland China and select Southeast Asian and East Asian markets. The dominance of land arrivals and the jump in same-day visitors are important for operators and policymakers planning transport, hospitality capacity and gaming-floor strategies.
Why should I read this?
Quick take: Macau just smashed its monthly visitor record — mostly thanks to mainland China and a few booming Asian markets. If you care about gaming revenue, hotel occupancy or regional travel trends, this snapshot tells you where demand is coming from and how people are arriving. Short, sharp and useful.