Macau is preparing for between 5.2 million and 5.4 million border movements during the National Day Golden Week, from October 1 to 7, 2026, just three days after closing the Mid-Autumn Festival period with 512,041 visitors over four days, a traffic surge that once again puts casinos, hotels and integrated resorts at the center of the autumn tourism peak. Authorities project between 740,000 and 770,000 border crossings per day, with peaks above 800,000 expected on October 3 and 4.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival period, from September 25 to 28, Macau received an average of more than 128,000 visitors per day. Saturday, September 26 recorded the highest volume, with 171,566 arrivals. The largest number entered through the Border Gate, with 224,628 visitors, followed by the Hengqin checkpoint, with 98,704, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, with 93,861. The Public Security Police Force did not publish a breakdown by source market.
The upcoming Golden Week coincides with China’s National Day on October 1, one of the country’s largest annual consumption periods and one of the most important commercial windows for Macau’s casino industry. The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), headed by Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, expects around 120,000 visitors per day during the holiday. That figure is separate from total border crossings, which include both entries and exits by residents and travelers.
The Transport Bureau (DSAT) has activated a coordinated operation involving the Public Security Police Force, Customs, the Municipal Affairs Bureau, bus operators, cross-border transport companies, hotels and integrated resorts. From September 30, border checkpoints will reserve dedicated areas for integrated-resort shuttle buses and expand waiting zones. At the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, buses to the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal will operate on a direct basis, with frequencies adjusted according to passenger flow.
The gaming impact is immediate, higher visitor volumes increase hotel traffic, movement into Cotai and potential activity across gaming tables and slot floors. Mainland China remains Macau’s core visitor market, while Golden Week continues to be one of the most important periods for measuring premium-mass demand and GGR performance.
