Macau has reported a hotel room occupancy rate of 48% over the Chinese New Year Golden Week, a year-on-year decrease of 5%.

The CNY period, which ran from 11-17 February 2021, saw a substantial drop in visitor numbers due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with a recent outbreak in mainland China resulting in a “stay in place” order from authorities over the holiday period. Travel advisories also warned against planning holiday trips to the region.

Total visitor numbers this year reached 90,615, a year-on-year decline of 65%, with a daily average of 12,945.

Five-star hotels and four-star hotels each reported an occupancy rate of 50% for the holiday period, with guest houses reporting an occupancy rate of 27%.

Room rates meanwhile also saw a decline over the holiday period, dropping 42% year-on-year to an average daily rate of MOP$1,175 (US$147). The average room rates of five-star hotels fell by 39% to MOP$1,445, with four-star hotels declining 53% to MOP$734.

The Macau Government Tourism Office announced it is now working with several platforms to strengthen its promotional efforts on social media - as well as conducting a number of programs - in a bid to increase visitation from mainland China.