Macau rolls out free bus tickets to boost tourism
Macau continues to step up in its efforts to attract more international travelers with a new round of promotional incentives. Authorities have relaunched a scheme offering free direct bus tickets for visitors arriving at Hong Kong International Airport, continuing similar programmes introduced in 2024 and 2025.
The initiative was launched on 20 January and will run until 31 December. Eligible passengers can claim a complimentary one-way ticket for direct transfer from the SkyPier Terminal at designated counters inside the restricted area. Notably, residents from mainland China are excluded from this offer.
Seamless cross-border travel
Buses will cross the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau (HKZM) Bridge as the most convenient link between the two Special Administrative Regions. Future bookings can be made through the Macau Hong Kong Airport Direct platform, which specialises in streamlined passenger services between Hong Kong and Macau airports.
During the promotional period, visitors can enjoy multiple free coach rides, though the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) emphasised that tickets are subject to a limited quota. The programme aims to “energise international visitors” while strengthening Hong Kong–Macau ties as premier travel destinations.
MGTO also affirms its plans to collaborate with other operators, airlines, and travel agencies. Moreover, it aims to amplify the campaign through online and offline promotions, including social media outreach that will target diverse markets.
Macau’s tourism and gaming landscape
Macau remains the world’s largest gaming hub, consistently surpassing Las Vegas in gambling revenue, according to local media, Macau Business. For instance, the city’s gross gaming revenue reached $28.35 billion in 2024, a 23.9 percent increase from the previous year, according to the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. However, it only saw a 2 percent dip in December 2024 due to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s three-day visit, which marked 25 years of Beijing’s rule over the territory. The city returned to Chinese sovereignty on 20 December 1999.
Macau, like Hong Kong, operates under the “one country, two systems” framework. During his visit, Xi urged Macau to diversify its economy, to deepen its integration with the Greater Bay Area, and to expand its cooperation with other Portuguese-speaking countries. He also encouraged active participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, aimed at boosting global trade connectivity.
Hospitality and visitor trends
Macau boasts 150 hotel properties with approximately 48,000 rooms, including 28,000 in five-star hotels and resorts. In 2025, the city recorded 40.06 million visitor arrivals, its highest annual figure to date — a 1.66 percent increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Visitor demographics remain dominated by Chinese nationals (72.4 percent), followed by Hong Kong residents (18.2 percent), Taiwanese (2.5 percent), and international travellers (6.9 percent). Final figures for 2025 are expected to be confirmed by the Statistics and Census Bureau (DSEC) on 23 January 2026.
Additionally, PSP’s statement revealed that the city recorded a total of 235 million entries and exists at its border checkpoints in 2025, a 9.8 percent increase year-on-year, which represents the highest annual number on record for total checkpoint crossings. When compared to 2024, it recorded about 210 million entries, whereas in 2019, it attracted 190 million entries.
Step inside the world’s biggest iGaming community. Join HERE for weekly updates from the world’s iGaming authority and unlock subscriber-only offers.
