Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that there were 197 travel agencies operating in 2012, an increase of 11 compared with 2011. At the end of 2012, a total of 3,670 persons were engaged in these travel agencies, up by 9% year-on-year, of which 98% were paid employees.

Attributable to an increase in visitor arrivals in package tours and outbound travel of Macao residents, Receipts of travel agencies increased by 8% year-on-year to MOP 5.97 billion, which were mainly generated from Reservation of Tickets (31% of total), Package Tours (26%) and Reservation of Rooms (24%).

Total Expenditure of travel agencies amounted to MOP 5.71 billion, up by 6% year-on-year. Purchase of Goods & Services, including tickets (MOP 1.79 billion), room reservation (MOP 1.40 billion) and package tours (MOP 1.27 billion), together accounted for 81% of the total. Besides, Operating Expenses (10%) and Compensation of Employees (9%) rose by 23% and 16% respectively year-on-year.

Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy amounted to MOP 785 million, up by 27% year-on-year. Meanwhile, Gross Fixed Capital Formation of travel agencies dropped by 17% year-on-year to MOP 165 million.