Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total spending (excluding gaming expenses) of visitors in the third quarter of 2014 reached MOP15.5 billion, up by 5% from MOP14.8 billion in the third quarter of 2013. Spending of overnight visitors totalled MOP12.9 billion and that of same-day visitors was MOP2.6 billion, up by 5% and 3% respectively year-on-year.

Per-capita spending of visitors in the third quarter of 2014 was MOP1,878, down slightly by 1% year-on-year. Visitors from Mainland China spent an average of MOP2,220, a decrease of 4% year-on-year, and spending of those travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) was MOP2,758. Per-capita spending of visitors from Japan increased by 12% year-on-year to MOP1,954, and that of visitors from Singapore (MOP1,927), Malaysia (MOP1,798) and Taiwan (MOP1,653) also registered increase. Visitors from the United Kingdom had relatively high per-capita spending among the long-haul visitors, at MOP1,563, up substantially by 38% year-on-year.

Per-capita spending of overnight visitors increased by 4% year-on-year to MOP3,310, while that of same-day visitors decreased by 8%, at MOP599. Per-capita spending of overnight and same-day Mainland visitors topped at MOP3,933 and MOP707 respectively, and that of overnight and same-day IVS visitors reached MOP4,940 and MOP1,185. Moreover, per-capita spending of overnight visitors from Taiwan was MOP3,478.

Analysed by consumption structure, visitors spent mainly on Shopping (49%), Accommodation (26%) and Food & Beverage (18%) in the third quarter of 2014. Per-capita shopping spending of visitors increased slightly by 1% year-on-year to MOP921, and the preferred shopping items included Jewellery & Watches (26%), Local Food Products (22%) and Handbags & Shoes (18%). Analysed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China spent an average of MOP1,260 on shopping and that of IVS visitors reached MOP1,726; shopping spending of Hong Kong visitors was merely MOP143. Meanwhile, long-haul visitors spent primarily on Accommodation and Food & Beverage.

According to the results of Visitors’ Comments Survey in the third quarter, about 86% of the visitor-users were satisfied with the services and facilities of hotels, and 84% complimented about the services of travel agencies; however, merely 47% of the visitors commented that points of tourist attractions were adequate, and 17% considered that public transport services should be improved.