The Losing Game of Visitor Numbers

Macau used to be just a distant cousin to Hong Kong in terms of attracting visitors but look no further as the former Portuguese colony is now lording over its more popular neighbor. Now the question is: does Macau wrest the claim as more popular than Hong Kong by virtue of attracting more visitors?

A total of 2.58 million people visited Macau last month, up 22 per cent year on year, while Hong Kong recorded 2.34 million visitor arrivals in the same month, up 6.3 per cent.

The numbers definitely support the claim that Macau now overtakes Las Vegas in terms of gambling earnings.

The launch of the Venetian last August brought in a rapid increase in number of mainland Chinese visitors. Last month, a total of 1.55 million mainlanders visited Macau, compared to 1.29 million for Hong Kong.

Budget airlines operating in Macau had helped to bring in a huge number of tourists from Southeast Asia.

Just because Macau is getting more visitors than Hong Kong doesn't mean a loss for Hong Kong. The former British colony tourist numbers remain in record numbers so there is little, if any, to frown upon. Perhaps it's more likely to be pride as Hong Kong lost the popularity title with the recent statistical results.

I will be visiting Macau tomorrow, so count me in.

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