We reported last week that Macau visitor arrivals surged in April. Today we have fresh data that shows how package tours are leading the charge. A total of 908,000 people wearing baseball caps and led by flag-waving guides visited Macau in April, up 20% YoY. Most were from the mainland, up 22% YoY to 724,000.

However, as the Macau tourism authorities continue to mull a “tourist tax”, it is clear that the city is bursting at the seams. In the first four months, hotels and guesthouses accommodated 4.66 million overnighters, up by just 2.8% YoY. Their average occupancy rate rose by 1.5 percentage points to 91.8%, and the average length of stay stayed at 1.5 nights.