# Hong Kong and Macau tourism and economic trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hong-kong-and-macau-tourism-and-economic-trends
> Updated: 2026-08-29T09:50:53.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 3.

Tourism trends in Hong Kong and Macau continue to show structural shifts. In July 2026, Hong Kong saw a 3% year-on-year increase in visitor arrivals, reaching 4.5 million. This was bolstered by long-haul momentum, which grew by 17% in July due to high-profile events like the 108th Lions International Convention and the LEAP East technology exhibition. However, short-haul arrivals declined by 9%, a trend linked to rising fuel costs and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Macau reported a 2% increase in July arrivals, with early August seeing a 10% rise. While international growth has faced stagnation due to geopolitical uncertainties and reduced flight capacities, international guest numbers rose by 12.2% in the first seven months of the year, totaling 753,000. This occurred even as the total number of guests fell by 1.4% year-on-year to 8.37 million, driven by fewer visitors from mainland China and Hong Kong.

Notably, Macau’s hotel and pension establishments reached an average occupancy rate of 90.6% for the first seven months of 2026, the highest level for that period since before the pandemic. This increase in occupancy coincided with a 2.7% decrease in average room prices, which fell to approximately 1,287 patacas. To sustain momentum, Macau is planning cultural events through the end of the year, including the Macau Grand Prix and the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-29: Macau hotel occupancy hits highest level since pre-pandemic

Macau's hotel occupancy reached 90.6% from January to July, the highest since 2019, despite a slight decline in total guest numbers and a shift toward more international travelers.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/macau-hotel-occupancy-hits-highest-level-since-pre-pandemic

### 2026-08-22: Macau economy grows 3.7% in first half of 2026

Macau's GDP grew 3.7% in the first half of 2026, supported by a 9% rise in visitors and a 5.5% increase in gaming service exports, despite a trend toward shorter visitor stays.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/macao-gdp-grows-37-in-first-half-of-year-amid-shifting-tourism-patterns

### 2026-08-17: Hong Kong and Macau report mixed tourism growth for July

Hong Kong saw a 3% rise in July visitors driven by long-haul travel and major events, while Macau experienced steady overall growth but stagnant international arrivals due to high fuel costs and geopolitical's.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hong-kong-and-macau-report-mixed-tourism-growth-for-july

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Cite as: Hong Kong and Macau tourism and economic trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hong-kong-and-macau-tourism-and-economic-trends