Macao Shatters Tourism Records: 40 Million Visitors in 2025 Mark Historic High

Macao (Tourism Reporter) — Macao closed 2025 with an unprecedented surge in tourism, welcoming a record-breaking 40.06 million visitor arrivals — surpassing its previous all-time high from 2019 and confirming the enclave’s full and forceful rebound from the pandemic era. Official preliminary data released by the Public Security Police Force in early January 2026 showed the figure represented a 14.7% increase over 2024 and edged past the 2019 peak of 39.4 million by approximately 654,000 visitors, driven largely by sustained demand from mainland China and a rebound in regional travel.

The milestone capped a year of steady momentum for Macao’s tourism and leisure sector, which has long been anchored by its world-class integrated resorts, gaming facilities, cultural heritage, and entertainment offerings. Total border crossings — encompassing visitors, residents, and workers — reached an all-time high of 235 million, up 9.8% year-on-year, with peak days like New Year’s Day 2026 seeing 188,036 inbound tourists alone and over 860,000 total movements across checkpoints.

Mainland Chinese travelers remained the dominant force, accounting for nearly 70% of arrivals and fueling consistent growth throughout the year. By October 2025, Macao had already exceeded 33 million visitors, with international arrivals (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) topping 2.15 million — a 13.6% rise over the prior year. The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) had forecasted 38–39 million total visitors for 2025, but the final tally comfortably exceeded those expectations, underscoring stronger-than-anticipated holiday traffic and cross-border activity in the final weeks.

“This record-breaking performance reflects Macao’s enduring appeal as Asia’s premier entertainment and leisure destination,” said Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the MGTO, in earlier comments on the recovery trajectory. Industry leaders echoed the optimism, noting that the surge has revitalized hotel occupancy rates — often described as “hot” to “overheated” during peak periods — and supported robust revenue streams across gaming, retail, and non-gaming attractions.

Economic impacts were equally striking. While full-year tourism revenue figures for 2025 were still being finalized, quarterly data from the Statistics and Census Service showed tourism revenues climbing to 20,382 million patacas (MOP) in Q3 2025 — the highest quarterly level recorded — up from prior periods and signaling strong consumer spending. Gross gaming revenue, a key pillar of the economy, rose 9.1% year-on-year to over 247 billion patacas, benefiting from the influx of high-volume visitors.

The achievement comes amid broader efforts to diversify beyond gaming and mainland markets. Macao has invested heavily in non-gaming experiences — including cultural events, Michelin-starred dining, luxury shopping, and family-friendly attractions at resorts like The Venetian, Wynn Palace, and MGM Cotai — while launching initiatives to attract more international travelers through charter-flight subsidies and targeted promotions.

Looking ahead, officials are setting ambitious goals. Chief Executive Ho Iat-Seng has outlined a target of 42 million visitor arrivals for 2026, with a focus on expanding source markets and enhancing connectivity.

“Continued diversification and infrastructure enhancements will be key to sustaining this momentum,” noted analysts from JP Morgan, who forecast modest 5–6% growth in gaming revenue for the coming year amid signs of moderating momentum.

As Macao enters 2026, the enclave stands as a symbol of tourism resilience in Asia — transforming post-pandemic challenges into record-setting success and positioning itself for even broader global appeal. With its blend of East-meets-West heritage, cutting-edge entertainment, and strategic location in the Greater Bay Area, Macao’s tourism story is far from over.