Macau Sees Surge in Visitors During May Day Holiday, Tea and Coffee Festivals and Cultural Exhibitions Draw Crowds

Kathmandu — Macau has witnessed a significant rise in visitor numbers during China’s five-day May Day (International Workers’ Day) holiday. According to official data, more than 200,000 visitors arrived on Friday, the first day of the holiday, and over 240,000 on Saturday, the second day. The Public Security Police Force of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) had earlier estimated total border crossings during the holiday to range between 3.6 million and 3.7 million.

In the Barra district, the Barra Slow Festival opened on Friday near A-Ma Temple. Organised under the theme “A sip of tea, a glimpse of heritage,” the festival features 40 tea brands from across Asia. Lei U Tin, who brought her brand and team from Dongguan in south China’s Guangdong Province, said the tea culture showcased at the event resonates well with Macao’s international character. “We hope to share our ideas on aged tea and tea appreciation with a global audience,” she said.

Meanwhile, a coffee festival is underway at the Macao Science Center. Featuring 52 local businesses, the event aims to support young entrepreneurs while promoting the city’s growing coffee culture. “Visitor numbers have been especially high during the holiday, and many came specifically for this event,” said Ms. Lao, a participating vendor.

At the Macao Museum of Art, an exhibition showcasing Ming and Qing landscape paintings from the National Museum of China presents classical Chinese landscape art, highlighting the aesthetics of travel and nature. Ms. Li, a visitor from Zhejiang Province in eastern China, said she brought her daughter to the exhibition. During the holiday, the Macao SAR government has partnered with integrated resort enterprises to launch “tourism and leisure buses,” with routes connecting dining spots, attractions, and commercial areas to support local businesses.