MACAO - The Statistics and Census Service of the Macao Special Administrative Region has reported that total spending of visitors, excluding gaming expenses, hit MOP 20.35 billion (around $2.53 billion) in the first quarter of 2024, up by 35.9 percent year-on-year and 20.2 percent from the same quarter of 2019.

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According to the DSEC on Monday, the total spending of overnight visitors (MOP 16.43 billion, around $2.05 billion) and same-day visitors (MOP 3.92 billion, around $485.68 million) rose by 33.1 percent and 48.5 percent, respectively, year-on-year.

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The survey also noted that visitors' per-capita spending was MOP 2,293 (around $285.5), up 40.3 percent from the same quarter of 2019.

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Noting the type of expense in the first quarter, the survey indicated that visitors spent mainly on shopping, followed by accommodation and food & beverages. Spending of those attending performances or competitions increased by 106.3 percent.