The Statistical Information Department of Macau (DSEC) has announced that visitor expenditure and the number of MICE events have both dropped in the first three months of the year. Total spending (excluding gaming expenses) of visitors amounted to MOP13.36 billion in the first quarter, down some 16.2 per cent year-on-year. A total of 200 MICE events were held in the first quarter, down 9 per cent year-on-year, while the total number of participants and attendees decreased by 15.8 per cent to 249,180. The average duration was 2.3 days.

The spending of overnight visitors amounted to MOP10,4 billion in the first quarter, decreasing 21.1 per cent year-on-year. Meanwhile, the number of same-day visitors increased 6.7 per cent, with expenses MOP2.96 billion. The average consumption per visitor amounted to MOP1,820, down 13.1 per cent year-on-year.

In order to map the consumption of Mainland tourists, DSEC has announced the consumption data of Guangdong and Fujian Province for this quarter. Analysis of the two places reveals that the average consumption per Mainland visitor amounted to MOP2,152, decreasing 15.1 per cent year-on-year. In addition, the average consumption per visitor from Guangdong and Fujian Province amounted to MOP1,553 and MOP1,486, respectively. Average consumption per individual visitor amounted to MOP2,279, decreasing 14.3 per cent year-on-year. The average consumption per individual visitor from Guangdong and Fujian amounted to MOP1,721 and MOP2,811, respectively.

The average consumption of Singaporeans and Malaysians amounted to MOP1,782 and MOP1,640, down 3 and 6 per cent year-on-year, respectively, while the average consumption of Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong amounted to between MOP850 and MOP1,616, decreasing year-on-year, as well. Of long distance visitors, the highest average consumption per visitor was by the British, at MOP1,628, increasing 32.3 per cent year-on-year.

In addition, 190 meetings were held in the first quarter, a decrease of 6 meetings year-on-year. Some 19,000 people participated, down 40.1 per cent year-on-year. Last year there were 28 meetings, down by seven. Some 10,618 people participated, down 54.5 per cent. The average duration was 2.2 days.

There were 10 exhibitions in the first quarter, down by three exhibitions year-on-year, with nine organized by non-government organizations. Some 230,000 people attended, posting a decrease of 12.8 per cent year-on-year. Four exhibitions attracted more than 20,000 spectators at an average duration of 3.1 days.