Hundreds of thousands of visitors have flocked to the Chinese-controlled regions of Macau and Hong Kong since Sept. 29, data shows as China wraps up its Golden Week holiday, although the figures amounted to just about 85% of pre-pandemic levels.
In Macau, around 900,000 visitors crowded the streets, with many visiting the casinos and taking photos at popular landmarks. Hotel occupancy rates have exceeded 90%, and the Macau government has urged venues to optimize measures to handle the influx of passengers. Mainland Chinese visitors make up about 80% of the tourists in Macau, and the mass gaming revenues have returned to pre-COVID levels.
In Hong Kong, approximately 1 million visitors arrived during the holiday period, while 1.4 million residents left. Retailers reported a 30% increase in foot traffic, but sales were similar to a normal weekend, indicating some tourists' reluctance to spend. The retail market in Hong Kong has been affected by changing spending patterns and store closures due to anti-government protests and COVID-19 restrictions.
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