AGP Executive Report

Visitor Surge: Macau recorded 1.14 million arrivals over the mainland’s seven-day National Day holiday, a record average of 163,282 visitors a day. Arrivals across the wider 13-day holiday period topped 1.87 million. NBA in Macau: The Mavericks and Rockets opened their two-game preseason series at the Venetian Arena, while players and NBA legends joined local students for a community basketball event. Public Safety: The government warned that a fake English-language website using Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai’s name and photo is not official; the case has been referred to police. Talent and Business: Macao’s Talent Development Committee signed agreements with a local technology centre and a Zhuhai company to support talent recruitment and development. Three trade fairs scheduled for Oct. 21–24 will feature ten business-matching sessions. Coming Up: Twenty-five troupes will compete in this weekend’s international lion dance championship, while the SJM Macao Open golf tournament runs Oct. 15–18. Electric Vehicles: BYD’s small Racco EV is reportedly set to go on sale in Macau, alongside Sri Lanka.

Cybersecurity: The Macao government warned that a fake English-language website using Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai’s name and photo is not official. The case has been referred to police, and residents are urged to verify suspicious sites through official channels. Judicial Affairs: The government and Legislative Assembly condemned European Parliament criticism of Macao’s first national security case, calling it interference in local judicial matters. Tourism: Macao recorded a record 1.14 million arrivals during the seven-day National Day holiday, averaging 163,282 visitors a day and peaking at 210,276. Arrivals over the wider 13-day holiday period topped 1.87 million. NBA in Macao: The Mavericks and Rockets began their two-game preseason series at the Venetian Arena, while players and NBA figures joined local students for a basketball clinic and community activities. Higher Education: The University of Macau unveiled a five-year development plan focused on research, talent development and deeper links with the Greater Bay Area.

Golden Week Tourism: Macau welcomed 1,142,974 visitors over the mainland’s seven-day holiday, with a record daily average of 163,282, up 15.5% year on year. Arrivals peaked at 210,276 on Oct. 4, while hotel occupancy topped 91.3%. NBA China Games: The Mavericks and Rockets are playing two preseason games at the Venetian Arena, with NBA stars also meeting local students during a community basketball event. Trafficking Report: Macau’s security authorities rejected the US decision to place the SAR in Tier 3, pointing to its anti-trafficking law and government coordination committee. Policing: A mainland visitor was arrested after allegedly kicking a casino machine to void losing bets; police say the casino reported losses of at least HK$13,000. What’s On: Twenty-five troupes will compete in this weekend’s international lion dance championship, while Macau’s three trade fairs will host business-matching sessions from Oct. 21 to 24.

NBA China Games: Dallas and Houston meet at the Venetian Arena on Friday and Sunday, as stars including Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg joined activities with local students. Golden Week Tourism: Macau recorded 1.14 million arrivals over the seven-day holiday, with average daily visits up 15.5% year on year and a record 210,276 visitors on 4 October. Events: The hush! Beach Concerts and Urban Sports Wellfest returns to Hac Sa Beach on 14–15 November, while 25 troupes compete in the international lion dance championship this weekend. Wu Ashun and Paul Casey are among the golfers confirmed for next week’s SJM Macao Open. Gaming: September casino revenue fell 1.2% year on year, though earnings for the first nine months remained 3.2% ahead of 2025. Police: A mainland visitor was arrested after allegedly kicking a casino gaming machine to void losing bets, costing the casino at least HK$13,000.

Sports: Macau’s Giant Pandas suffered a record 138-78 loss to NLEX in the PBA, with several key players having left during the league break. Tourism: Macau received 1.143 million visitors over the seven-day Golden Week holiday, averaging about 163,000 a day — 15.5% above last year’s daily average. Business Rules: The government has drafted a bill to ease licensing for lower-risk businesses, with some needing only commercial registration; higher-risk venues would still require permits. Public Safety: Police arrested three women over alleged fake employment arrangements that gave two Indonesian women worker status while they engaged in prostitution. Community: Sands China’s NBA Cares week brought players and coaches together with young people from Macau and the Greater Bay Area for basketball training. Aviation: Macau Skylink International Cargo Airlines is set for a 350 million yuan capital increase to fund licensing, aircraft capacity and route development. Gaming: Macau’s casino revenue fell 4% in the third quarter, while September revenue was down 1.2% year on year.

Tourism: Macau welcomed 1.143 million visitors during the seven-day Golden Week holiday, averaging about 163,000 a day. Arrivals peaked at a record 210,300 on Oct. 4. Business: The government plans to ease licensing rules for lower-risk businesses, with some needing only registration and others no special permit. Crime: Police arrested three women over alleged fake domestic-worker jobs used to secure residency permits while two Indonesian women engaged in prostitution, officers said. Community: Sands China and the NBA launched a five-day programme bringing players and coaches to youth and community events. Sport: Macau’s Giant Pandas suffered a record 138-78 defeat to NLEX in the PBA, after several key players left during the league break. Deaf athlete Hoi Long won two silver and one bronze at a regional championships in Penang. Investment: Macau Skylink International Cargo Airlines plans a US$52.2 million capital increase to fund licensing, aircraft capacity and route development.

Golden Week: Macau recorded more than 1.05 million visitor arrivals in the first six days of the holiday, with Sunday the busiest day at over 210,000 entries. Sports: Macau’s Giant Pandas suffered a record 138-78 defeat to NLEX in the PBA Governors’ Cup, after arriving with just nine players; the 60-point margin is the league’s largest. Scam Warning: Police say 25 residents have lost a total of 5.4 million patacas since mid-September to callers posing as Douyin customer service staff. Attractions: NBA House opened at The Venetian Macao ahead of Friday’s preseason game between the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, with fan activities and NBA legends set to visit local schools and communities.

Logistics & Business: DHL Express appoints Julian Neo as Managing Director for Hong Kong and Macau, effective 1 Oct 2026, as he takes over from Andy Chiang. Tourism Watch: Macau’s Golden Week brings in over 1 million visitor arrivals, with about 131,000 entering on day six for a provisional total around 1.05 million. Local Culture & Heritage: The Maritime Museum hosts an IIM photo exhibition, “People and the Sea: The Fishermen’s Community in Macao,” opening next Thursday and running with museum hours. Border & Biosecurity: Zhuhai Gongbei Customs seizes 17 peony plants and 24.7 kg of palm-family seeds from Macau-bound travellers, warning that seeds and soil are tightly restricted. Public Safety: Judiciary Police say 25 residents have lost 5.4 million patacas to fake “Douyin” customer service scams since Sept 18. Community Events: The 12th Macau Industrial Products Show opens tomorrow at Fisherman’s Wharf, featuring the first-ever “GBA Super Hamburger Festival” in Macau. Sports Spotlight: Macau’s deaf women’s ping-pong team wins silver at the Asia Pacific Deaf Table Tennis Championships in Penang.

Macau Economy & Finance: The Monetary Authority of Macao says broad money supply kept rising in August 2026, with M2 up 0.9% to MOP 867.8 billion as resident deposits edged higher and loans to residents fell. Community & Policy Input: The Secretary for Economy and Finance visited multiple local associations to gather views for the 2027 Policy Address, including ideas on improving the business environment, youth employment, silver bonds, and labour-management relations. Public Safety Consultations: The Secretary for Security also held meetings with community groups, stressing national security education and boundary-control efficiency as part of 2027 planning. Tourism & Culture: Macau logged strong National Day Golden Week traffic, while the CTT announced a temporary commemorative postmark counter for the 13th International Lion Dance Championship (MGM Cup) at Largo do Pagode da Barra. Sports & Education: Macao University of Tourism (UTM) won one bronze and four “medals for excellence” at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai. City Life: IAM is running beautification and pedestrian upgrades in Coloane and Arts Park, including a reopened stilt-house display area and added green space for easier, safer walking.

National Day travel surge: Macau logged 540,549 visitor arrivals in the first three days of the mainland’s seven-day Golden Week, up 27.4% year-on-year, with the LRT hitting its highest daily average since launch. Public safety and policing: A motorcyclist died after a crash on the Macau-Taipa Friendship Bridge; police also arrested a man who smashed a Cotai phone shop door with a brick and steel bar. Community consultation: The Secretary for Economy and Finance met local associations to shape the 2027 Policy Address, including ideas on business revival, silver bonds, youth employment, and labour-management ties; the Security chief also gathered views for the same policy cycle. Heritage and urban upgrades: Chi Lam Vai’s renewal plan must balance conservation and development, while IAM is rolling out phased works at Taipa’s eco-walkway and has opened a beautified Rua dos Navegantes stilt-house area in Coloane. Culture and events: The 34th Macao International Fireworks drone show was rescheduled to 6 Oct, and the 2026 Macao Franchise Expo runs 21 Oct. Arts and charity: A small-format photo exhibition “Unexpected Macau” opens at H2H gallery in Coloane, with proceeds supporting rehabilitation work.

National Day Golden Week tourism: Macau logged about 750,000 visitor arrivals over the first four days, with 540,549 arrivals in the first three days and roughly 210,000 more on Sunday, according to MGTO and Public Security Police data. Fireworks & events: The 34th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest wrapped up with South Korea’s Faseecom winning top prize; a drone show for the contest’s theme is set to light up the sky at 20:00 on 6 October after weather postponement. Public works & transport: IAM is rolling out phased upgrades to the Taipa eco-walkway (2nd phase starts 8 October) and has completed Arts Park pedestrian walkway optimisation, adding over 1,000 sq m of green space; LRT also launched EV charging at Barra interchange car park. Security & community: The Security Secretary visited local associations to gather input for the 2027 Policy Address; police reported a fatal motorcycle crash on the Friendship Bridge and a Cotai phone shop break-in suspect arrested after re-entering Macau. Local life: IAM said 523 stray animals were adopted last year, and it is expanding pet-friendly facilities.

Golden Week travel surge: Macau logged about 750,000 visitor arrivals over the first four days of the mainland National Day holiday, with 540,549 arrivals in the first three days and roughly 210,000 on Sunday, according to MGTO and PSP figures. Public transport upgrade: LRT has started electric vehicle charging at the Barra transport hub car park, adding seven charging spaces with time limits and separate charging fees. Road safety: A 20-year-old motorcyclist died after a crash on the Macau-Taipa Friendship Bridge; police are investigating. Crime and justice: A mainland man accused of smashing a Cotai phone shop door was arrested after trying to re-enter Macau; separately, a warden at a children’s care home was arrested over alleged sexual assault and illicit filming of boys. Community and events: IAM says over 500 stray animals were adopted last year; the Macao Franchise Expo 2026 runs Oct 21–24; and the 34th fireworks contest was won by South Korea’s Faseecom.

Macau Smartphone Debate: A Macau Business special report highlights Mainland China’s nationwide school smartphone ban model, where phones are generally barred and only allowed with written parent requests, while Macau’s own rules require schools to provide alternative communication channels. Local Education & Focus: The same series features Professor Christian Montag arguing that the “mere presence” of smartphones can drain attention, supporting smartphone-free classrooms to protect learning and social interaction. Macau Gaming Watch: Macau’s casino gaming revenue fell 4% in Q3 2026, with September also weaker, as broader demand softness continues to weigh on the market. Tourism Numbers: DSEC data shows Macau hotel guests slipped 2.6% year-on-year in August, though occupancy rose to 93.9%, with mainland and Hong Kong visitor declines driving the drop. Regional Sports: Macau’s Hou Chon lost 103-89 to Taipei Fubon Braves in the EASL season opener in Cebu, while Macau’s Giant Pandas sit near the bottom in the PBA Governors’ Cup group standings. UFC Spotlight: Alex Pereira’s heavyweight co-main vs Sergei Pavlovich is set for UFC 335 on Dec. 12, with Charles Oliveira vs Diego Lopes headlining for the BMF title.

Macau Economy & Tourism: Macau hotel guests slipped in the first eight months, with 9.64 million visitors recorded (down 1.6% y/y), while August occupancy still rose to 93.9% as room supply expanded. Gaming & Finance: Macau’s casino gross gaming revenue fell 1.2% y/y in September to MOP 18.06 billion, marking the fourth straight year-on-year decline, though the nine-month total remains 3.2% ahead of 2025; Q3 GGR also dipped 4% to MOP 60.21 billion. Cross-border Sports: Taipei Fubon Braves opened their EASL campaign with a 103-89 win over Macau’s Hou Chon, led by Marko Todorovic’s 30 points and 17 rebounds. Energy & Prices: China’s suspension of refined fuel exports beyond Hong Kong and Macau is tightening regional supplies and feeding into higher fuel costs, with knock-on pressure felt across Asia’s markets. Local Policy & Society: A Macau-focused report compares Mainland China’s strict school smartphone rules with Hong Kong’s approach, highlighting how different models shape student life.

Macau Economy & Tourism: Macau’s casino gross gaming revenue fell 1.2% year-on-year in September to MOP18.06 billion, marking the fourth straight monthly decline; nine-month GGR still sits 3.2% ahead of 2025, but analysts have been trimming full-year forecasts. Macau Travel Demand: DSEC data shows Macau hotels logged 9.64 million guests in the first eight months, down 1.6% year-on-year; August occupancy rose to 93.9% even as guest numbers slipped. Regional Energy Shock (hits Macau via supply links): China suspended refined fuel exports beyond Hong Kong and Macau, tightening supplies across Asia and pushing oil prices around $102 for Brent; the move is also feeding into broader calls for Europe and the US to release diesel from reserves. Macau Governance & Society: A Macau Business special report contrasts Mainland China’s strict school smartphone rules with Hong Kong’s approach, highlighting how Macau’s own policies require alternative parent-child communication channels. Sports (Macau in regional spotlight): In the EASL opener in Cebu, Taipei Fubon Braves beat Macau’s Hou Chon 103-89, with Marko Todorovic scoring 30 points and grabbing 17 rebounds.

Macau Gaming: Macau’s casino gross gaming revenue fell 1.2% year-on-year to MOP18.06 billion in September, marking the fourth straight monthly decline, while the nine-month total still sits 3.2% ahead of 2025. Tourism & Hotels: Hotel guests in Macau dropped 1.6% year-on-year to 9.64 million in the first eight months, and August occupancy rose to 93.9% even as guest numbers fell. Fuel & Prices: China suspended exports of refined fuels (gasoline, diesel and jet fuel) to destinations beyond Hong Kong and Macau for October, tightening Asia’s supply and pushing diesel and refining margins higher—an issue that could ripple into regional transport costs and consumer prices. Energy Politics: The G7 agreed to release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude from strategic reserves under pressure from the US, while the EU rejected a US threat to restrict diesel exports. Local Policy & Society: An opinion piece argues Macau NGOs can boost impact through “Lean Thinking,” focusing on talent and process efficiency rather than simply adding resources.