WGM theorized last week that Hong Kong’s Mong Kok riots were the likely cause of a significant increase in visitors to Macau and a decrease in Hong Kong visitation during Chinese New Year. Now it seems we’re not the only ones!
As reported by the Macau Daily Times yesterday, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourist Board, Peter Lam observed that, “During the Golden Week, Macau saw a 4.7 percent increase in tourist numbers, whereas Hong Kong saw a [12 percent] decline.
“The decline proves that many visitors altered their destinations [as a result] of the riots.”
Also known as the “fishball” riots, the incident saw police firing shots near rioters after a crackdown on illegal food vendors selling fishballs and other delicacies during Chinese New Year.
Despite Macau visitation rising by almost five percent, WGM noted at the time that daily gaming revenue was actually down by around 20 percent – suggesting visitors to the city had come to Macau for other reasons.
Lam said that the Hong Kong Tourist Board had received numerous calls inquiring about safety issues in the Mong Kok region following the riots, proving the incident had negatively impacted on the region.
