Macau experienced a surge in visitor numbers during the Chinese New Year (CNY) period, with January 31, the third day of the holiday, marking the highest single-day arrivals since the pandemic. Public Security Police (PSP) data revealed that Macau recorded 219,000 inbound tourists on that day, surpassing the previous record of 217,000 set on the same day in 2024. The increase highlights a strong return in travel activity, driven by relaxed visa policies and festive attractions.

Checkpoints across Macau processed a total of 736,000 inbound and outbound crossings on February 1, reinforcing the city’s growing appeal among travelers, according to The Macau Post Daily. The Border Gate, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, and Hengqin Port accounted for over 80% of arrivals, indicating their role as primary access points. The Barrier Gate checkpoint alone managed 39.6% of total crossings, followed by the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge at 23.4% and Hengqin at 17.1%.

Visitors from mainland China formed the majority, representing 76.2% of total arrivals. Tourists from Hong Kong followed at 18.1%, while Taiwan travelers accounted for 1.3%, and international visitors made up 4.4%. To accommodate the influx, the Macau Public Security Police implemented crowd management measures at popular tourist spots such as the Ruins of St. Paul, ensuring smooth pedestrian movement.

Tourism Growth Boosts Local Economy and Entertainment

The significant increase in tourist arrivals coincided with record-breaking box office sales in China during the 2025 Spring Festival. Between January 29 and February 1, cinema revenues reached 5.75 billion yuan (approximately USD 802 million), setting a new milestone for the holiday period. The animated fantasy “Ne Zha 2” led the box office, generating over 2.3 billion yuan within four days, while “Detective Chinatown 1900” and “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force” followed as major contributors.

The tourism boom has also been linked to Macau’s revised visa policies, which now allow residents of Zhuhai and Hengqin to enter on a “one trip per week” or “multiple entry” basis. This marks a significant shift from the previous Individual Visit Scheme (IVS), which restricted visits to once every two months. The policy adjustment is expected to sustain visitor numbers and enhance cross-border mobility in the long run, Macau Business underlines.

Analysts Monitor Chinese New Year’s Impact on Macau’s Gaming Recovery

Industry analysts are closely monitoring Macau’s CNY tourism boom to gauge its impact on the city’s gaming revenue recovery. January’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) fell by 5.6% year-on-year to MOP 18.25 billion (USD 2.27 billion), prompting varied forecasts for February’s performance.

JP Morgan analysts noted, “All eyes are on the LNY print from industry consultants, expected on 10 February,” with expectations set at MOP 800 million to 850 million (USD 98.3 million to USD 104.5 million) per day for February 1-9. Deutsche Bank projections suggest a 2.7% year-on-year growth for the combined January-February period, reflecting cautious optimism about Macau’s gaming sector rebounding after a slow start to 2025.