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Mainland China overtakes South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, the US, Taiwan, Philippines, and more as Macau hits a record four million tourists in February 2026, boosted by a holiday tourism surge. The surge was primarily driven by the Lunar New Year, with Mainland China leading the way, contributing to a 43.6% year-on-year increase in arrivals. This holiday boom, coupled with Macau’s proximity to mainland China, resulted in an overwhelming influx of visitors, making Macau the top destination during the festive period. The increase in tourists from other regions, like India and the Philippines, also contributed to this significant growth, but Mainland China remained the dominant force, outpacing other key markets in the region.

In February 2026, Macau hit a major tourism milestone by recording 4.17 million visitors, marking a 32.6% year-on-year increase from the same month in 2025. This surge in arrivals was largely driven by the Lunar New Year holidays, a peak period for tourism in the region. As the bustling holiday season overlapped with a favorable calendar, Macau saw record-breaking tourist inflows, surpassing previous figures and cementing its status as a premier travel destination in Asia. While most of the visitors hailed from Mainland China, the broader picture reflects Macau’s efforts to expand its international tourism footprint, even though international tourist numbers remained somewhat subdued.

The Impact of Lunar New Year on Macau’s Tourism Surge

February is traditionally one of the busiest months for Macau, with the Lunar New Year holidays being a catalyst for much of the tourism activity. This year, the holiday season extended into late February, leading to a further boost in visitation numbers. While January 2026 had already marked the highest number of visitors since 1998, the Lunar New Year period in February helped maintain the momentum, making it one of the strongest months for tourism in the region in recent years. The extended holiday season in Mainland China, along with favorable tourism trends, contributed to the vibrant economic activities across Macau, with the city welcoming visitors from around the world.

Visitor Statistics Breakdown

• 4.17 Million Visitors: A 32.6% increase year-on-year
• Mainland China: The largest contributor, with 3.29 million visitors, marking an astonishing 43.6% increase year-on-year.
• International Visitors: While international arrivals fell slightly by 3.3%, reaching 200,848, there were still notable increases from specific international markets, particularly Southeast Asia.

Mainland China Overtakes Other Regions

The Lunar New Year surge was most prominent among visitors from Mainland China, who accounted for a significant portion of the total arrivals. With a 43.6% increase compared to February 2025, Mainland China firmly cemented its place as the dominant market for Macau’s tourism. Visitors from other Asian countries, particularly from Southeast Asia, showed mixed trends, with the Philippines standing out as a key growth market, while other regions experienced declines in numbers.

Visitors from Mainland China

• Mainland China contributed a staggering 3.29 million visitors in February 2026, making up nearly 79% of Macau’s total arrivals. This surge, driven by the extended Lunar New Year holiday, reflects not just the proximity of Macau to Mainland China, but also the rising demand for international travel among Chinese tourists. As cross-border travel opens up further, Macau’s accessibility continues to be a primary draw for travelers from China.

International Visitors Breakdown:

While Mainland China dominated, Macau’s tourism authorities have been focusing on expanding the number of international visitors, which has been a growing priority for the region. In February 2026, international arrivals stood at 200,848 visitors, representing a 3.3% drop compared to the previous year. However, there were still some impressive performances from certain countries. Here’s a closer look at how each region fared:

1. Southeast Asia:

• The Philippines: With 45,195 visitors, the Philippines experienced a 16.3% growth in tourism, a remarkable achievement that highlights the increasing affinity between Filipino tourists and Macau. The ease of travel between these two regions is a significant factor driving this increase in numbers.
• Indonesia: On the other hand, Indonesia saw a 22.3% decrease in visitors, with just 11,587 arrivals, reflecting some challenges in maintaining its tourism flow to Macau.
• Thailand: Similarly, Thailand experienced a decline in visitors, with 9,973 arrivals, marking a drop of 11.4% year-on-year. Despite the reduction, Thailand remains an important market for Macau tourism.

2. South Asia:

• India: India recorded a remarkable 42.5% increase, with 5,831 visitors arriving in February 2026, showcasing the rising affluence and interest in Macau from Indian travelers. This boost in visitors is also part of Macau’s broader strategy to attract international tourists and enhance its global tourism profile.

3. Northeast Asia:

• South Korea: South Korea showed a small decline of 5.6%, with 55,994 visitors. The slight dip indicates a need for more focused marketing efforts to bring Korean travelers back to Macau.

4. United States and Other Western Markets:

• United States: The United States contributed 11,142 visitors, a 5.5% increase, demonstrating Macau’s appeal as an international destination even outside Asia. This increase points to the growing interest from American tourists who seek a mix of cultural and modern entertainment offerings.

5. Hong Kong and Taiwan:

• Hong Kong: As one of the most significant regional markets, Hong Kong accounted for 591,300 visitors, which represents a modest 2% increase year-on-year. This steady growth underscores the ongoing ties between Macau and Hong Kong, both geographically and culturally.
• Taiwan: Taiwan saw an impressive 31.9% increase, with 89,628 visitors, demonstrating a strong recovery in cross-straight travel between Taiwan and Macau following previous years’ disruptions.

Macau’s Strategic Focus on International Visitors

The surge in Mainland Chinese visitors was expected, but Macau’s tourism authorities have also been prioritizing the diversification of visitor sources. Their goal is to attract more international tourists, a mission that is central to Macau’s long-term tourism strategy. Although the target of three million international visitors for 2025 was not met, the number still represented a 13.7% increase from the previous year, highlighting progress in attracting tourists beyond China.

In February 2026, Macau’s Tourism Services highlighted Portugal as one of the priority markets for expanding the international tourism base. The director of Macau’s Tourism Services mentioned that Portugal is one of the emerging tourism sources for the region, especially due to the shared historical ties between Macau and Portugal, making this a promising avenue for future growth.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Macau Tourism

With tourism numbers climbing and more countries showing increasing interest in Macau, the city’s outlook remains optimistic. The first two months of 2026 alone saw 7.82 million visitors, a 15.1% increase from the same period in 2025. International tourism was also up by 6.8%, indicating that efforts to diversify visitor sources are slowly bearing fruit.

As Macau continues to build on its strengths, including its unique cultural offerings, vibrant entertainment, and proximity to major Asian markets, it is likely to become an even more important player in the global tourism market. While Mainland China will undoubtedly remain a central pillar of Macau’s tourism strategy, Macau’s Tourism Services are actively exploring new opportunities for international markets, focusing on areas like Europe and Southeast Asia to bolster its global appeal.

February 2026 marked a historic moment for Macau tourism, as it saw over four million visitors arrive during a single month. The overwhelming Lunar New Year rush, combined with a solid performance from Mainland China and an increasing number of international arrivals, sets the stage for even greater growth in the coming months. Macau’s continued efforts to diversify its tourism sources and enhance its global reputation will likely ensure its place as one of the world’s premier travel destinations for years to come.

Mainland China overtakes South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, the US, Taiwan, Philippines, and more as Macau hits a record four million tourists in February 2026, fueled by a Lunar New Year tourism surge that saw a 43.6% increase in arrivals from China, solidifying its position as the dominant source of visitors.

Visitor Breakdown in February 2026:

• Mainland China: 3.29 million (+43.6%)
• Hong Kong: 591,300 (+2%)
• Taiwan: 89,628 (+31.9%)
• Philippines: 45,195 (+16.3%)
• India: 5,831 (+42.5%)
• South Korea: 55,994 (-5.6%)
• Indonesia: 11,587 (-22.3%)
• Thailand: 9,973 (-11.4%)
• United States: 11,142 (+5.5%)

As these figures show, Macau continues to evolve as a world-class travel hub, catering to a diverse range of tourists and aiming for sustained growth in international visitation moving forward.