The figures, released by Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, come amid an easing of coronavirus restrictions in the area. 

According to the MGTO, a total of 22,500 visitors entered the region, while hotel occupancy rate increased from 16.4% in September to 40% in October. 

Ms Senna Fernandes suggested that the positive news looks set to continue after it was announced that visitors from Qingdao, in Shandong province, will no longer need to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival in Macau. 

The increase in numbers comes after Macau’s September visitation figures rose by almost 98% month-on-month, a rise attributed to the resumption of Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) visas for mainland China residents. 

Such visas resumed on August 26 for Guangdong province residents only, before being made available to other mainland China citizens on September 23. 

The MGTO director also explained that her office will continue to work closely with China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism regarding the issue of package group tours to Macau, after a suspension on such tours was recently extended.