Macau is gearing up for one of its busiest periods of the year as the city anticipates an influx of travelers during the upcoming National Day Golden Week. The holiday, which runs from October 1 to October 8, combines the National Day celebrations with the Mid-Autumn Festival, creating an extended travel window for mainland Chinese residents.

As TDM reports, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), has forecast an average of around 150,000 visitors per day, translating into roughly 1.2 million arrivals across the eight-day stretch. This estimate reflects a modest increase from 2024, when daily traffic averaged around 141,000, and is supported by the government’s relaxation of travel policies and the overlap of two major holidays.

Visitor Surge and Hotel Occupancy

Senna Fernandes noted that hotel demand is expected to remain high, with occupancy rates projected to surpass 90 percent during the holiday period. She pointed out that throughout 2025, occupancy has consistently hovered near this level, at times surpassing it, with August in particular seeing stronger-than-average performance.

Bookings at luxury hotels confirm the pressure on supply, with GGRAsia checks revealing that more than 20 casino-resort hotels have already sold out for at least five nights of the holiday period. While room rates typically climb during peak times, the MGTO chief emphasized that pricing trends this year show “rational” increases rather than sharp spikes.

Currently, Macau offers around 47,000 hotel rooms, a number expected to rise as new properties are developed in the Hengqin Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone.

This year’s higher visitor forecast is attributed in part to recently introduced multiple-entry permits. Residents of Zhuhai are now able to apply for Macau visas on a weekly basis, compared to once every two months previously, while Hengqin residents can benefit from multiple-entry options. These adjustments are designed to make travel more accessible and frequent.

Macau welcomed nearly 26.9 million visitors in the first eight months of 2025, marking a 15 percent year-on-year increase. August alone set a record with 4.22 million arrivals, averaging 136,000 per day. If current momentum holds, total visitation could reach 39 million for the year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

“We are quite optimistic and expect ideal occupancy rates during the National Day Golden Week,” Senna Fernandes told reporters. She also highlighted the government’s goal of encouraging tourists to explore beyond the core casino resorts, guiding them into districts that rely heavily on small and medium-sized businesses.

Pedestrian Zones and Cultural Highlights

In preparation for the holiday surge, authorities will implement temporary pedestrian-only areas in Taipa Village and Rua de Nossa Senhora do Amparo near the Ruins of St. Paul’s. From October 1 to 7, parts of these districts will be restricted to foot traffic between midday and evening hours.

Festivals and markets will accompany these arrangements. Taipa Village will feature a fair and performances near the former Iec Long Firecracker Factory, while Rua de Nossa Senhora do Amparo will host the Hong Kung night market from October 1 to 5. The city will also stage the Zoo Music Festival at the firecracker factory site between October 1 and 5, attracting evening crowds with live entertainment.

The 33rd Macao International Fireworks Competition will further animate the skies. Teams from China and Portugal are scheduled to perform on October 1, while displays from the Philippines and Japan, postponed due to Typhoon Ragasa, will follow on October 2.

Looking past the holiday, officials see opportunities to diversify the city’s tourism economy. Macau has been actively promoting its “concert economy,” attracting regional and international performers and using entertainment events to disperse visitors across districts like NAPE and ZAPE. Initiatives include free entry to the Macau Grand Prix Museum for ticket-holders of concerts or shows, as part of a broader effort to connect tourism with cultural and economic development.