Macau 2025 Tourism Hits Record 40.06M Visitors, Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Levels

Macau concludes 2025 with unprecedented tourism momentum, as official data revealed a historic 40.06 million visitors, surpassing both pre-pandemic peaks and recent benchmarks. The figure surpassed 2019’s previous high of 39.4 million by 654,000 arrivals and marked a 14.7% surge from 2024 levels, signaling a robust post-pandemic recovery.

Cross-border travel activity also hit new heights, driven by streamlined infrastructure and regional demand. Authorities confirmed that the city surpassed its 2019 visitor count by 11 a.m. on December 27, as year-end festivities attracted a final wave of travelers, cementing Macau’s resurgence as a tourist hotspot.

Cross-Border Traffic Hits Historic Highs

Macau’s 2025 tourism surge coincided with unprecedented cross-border movement, as police data revealed 235 million inbound/outbound trips, marking a 9.8% increase and the highest tally in the city’s history. Resident movements dominated at 36.4%, followed by non-resident workers (26.1%) and tourists (33.9%). Qingmao and Hengqin ports accounted for 15.4% and 12.9% respectively.

New Year holidays amplified demand, with mainland China’s public holiday triggering record activity. On January 1, 2026, 188,036 inbound tourists arrived amid 860,000+ total crossings. Traffic remained high on January 2 (822,272 crossings), while the two-day period from December 31–January 1 welcomed 368,538 visitors, a 63.7% annual jump. Authorities noted mainland-linked checkpoints (Border Gate and Hengqin) absorbed most arrivals, though specifics of their origins weren’t disclosed.

Aviation Sector Defies Tourism Boom

While Macau’s tourism sector soared in 2025, air travel declined 1.6% annually to 7.52 million passengers at Macau International Airport. Operator Macau International Airport Company linked the drop to economic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty, particularly affecting the year’s first half and summer demand.

Contrasting the slump, overseas arrivals rose 7%, international routes expanded by 26%, and cargo volume grew 1.08%. By year-end, 29 airlines connected Macau to 47 destinations, including revived routes to Jinan, Cebu, and Ho Chi Minh City. Fourth-quarter recovery efforts, through new carrier partnerships and restored flights, partially offset weaknesses. Talks with Middle Eastern airlines for future collaborations remain ongoing.

Gaming Growth Mirrors Tourism Surge

Macau’s gaming revenue climbed to MOP247.4 billion (US$20.9 billion) in 2025, rising 9.1% year-on-year as VIP and premium mass segments propelled gains. The rebound aligned with record tourism figures, with mainland Chinese and Hong Kong travelers making up the main markets, indulging in leisure and gaming spending. Post-pandemic border normalization enabled this recovery, cementing 2025 as the year Macau’s visitor economy outperformed pre-COVID benchmarks.