Macau is preparing for a massive influx of visitors during the upcoming May 1st Labor Day holiday period, with the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) predicting that the region will welcome up to 1.1 million tourists. Ieong Un Man, deputy head of the MGTO’s Public Relations Division, announced that officials expect a daily average of between 210,000 and 220,000 visitors during the five-day “Golden Week,” which runs from May 1 to May 5.
This projection aligns with figures from last year, and the bureau stated it is actively preparing on all fronts to ensure the quality of tourism services as the region braces for the surge.
The Macao Public Security Police (PSP) are anticipating significantly higher activity at border checkpoints, estimating that between 3.6 million and 3.7 million people will cross the region’s borders during the holiday period. The peak is expected to occur on May 2nd, with a projected 850,000 crossings.
Police spokesperson Lai In Hong emphasized that the force has developed comprehensive policing, traffic, and immigration contingency plans. These measures are designed to constantly optimize flow and safeguard public order and social security in Macau, a region with a permanent population of approximately 686,600.
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This expected spike in tourism follows a historic first quarter for the territory. Macau recorded more than 11.2 million visitors between January and March, a 13.7% increase over the same period in 2025 and an all-time record for the first three months of any year.
The trend is mirrored in neighboring Hong Kong, where immigration authorities predict approximately six million border crossings during the same period, including 980,000 tourists from mainland China. These holiday figures are closely watched as a vital indicator of China’s economic health, as the nation seeks to leverage consumption and services to drive domestic demand.
As Macau prepares to manage this dense traffic, the upcoming holiday serves as a critical test for the territory’s capacity to balance tourism growth with operational stability. Coming off a successful Lunar New Year “Golden Week”—which saw nearly 1.6 million visitors—the local government remains focused on maintaining high standards of service.
By facilitating these large-scale migrations, authorities hope to reinforce Macau’s position as a primary destination for Chinese travelers, effectively using the holiday periods to stimulate continued economic recovery.
