Major events are putting a smile on the faces of Macao's hospitality sector, with this week’s Macau Grand Prix leading the way.
Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, expects about 125,000 visitors per day for the four-day event, a figure which would be roughly 87% of the new daily arrivals record set during this year’s October Golden Week.
Senna Fernandes has also been encouraged by visitor numbers for the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China, which Macau is co-hosting along with Guangdong province and Hong Kong.
The event runs until 21 November and is expected to achieve an average of 90,000 visitors per day.
Senna Fernandes believes Macau’s hosting of National Games events will also draw more visitors to neighbouring Hengqin, which has hotels and tourism facilities.
The Macao government said last week that a fresh policy announced by the mainland authorities had designated Hengqin as a new immigration crossing point for holders of certain foreign passports entitled to 240-hour visa-free transit to the mainland.
The Macau authorities said the step would enhance Macau’s role as a gateway to the rest of the country.