Macao, for the first time, was ranked the most satisfactory destination for mainland outbound tourists in the first quarter of the year, thanks to a number of favorable policies that have bolstered the city’s tourism industry.

According to the China Tourism Academy (CTA), Macao scored 83.49 in the satisfaction-level ranking of destinations visited by mainland outbound tourists, ranking top, while Hong Kong secured seventh spot with 81.77.

The office will also take full advantage of the favorable policies introduced by the central government and promote the diversified and sustainable development of the city’s tourism industry

The results can be attributed to the expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme, allowing travelers from more mainland cities to visit Hong Kong and Macao, as well as the distribution of consumption vouchers, easier customs clearance and the recently implemented policies allowing eligible Hong Kong and Macao vehicles to travel to Guangdong province, Dai Bin, president of the CTA said in an article published on the academy’s official WeChat account on Tuesday.

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“Over the past decade, the satisfaction of mainland tourists (visiting) Hong Kong and Macao has always been at a high level, and (the cities have) ranked among the first places among outbound tourist destinations monitored by the academy,” he wrote.

Last year, Macao and Hong Kong ranked third and fifth, respectively.

Macao Government Tourism Office welcomed the ranking, saying the achievement is the result of the joint efforts of all sectors in the city.

According to official statistics, Macao received 8.88 million tourist arrivals in the first quarter, of whom 6.3 million were from the mainland, representing an increase of 94.3 percent from the same period last year

“In the future, the tourism office will continue to collaborate with the industry to optimize tourists’ experience, demonstrate Macao's tourism charm, jointly promote the high-quality and sustainable development of the integrated tourism and leisure industry, polish the golden card of Macao as an international metropolis, and consolidate Macao's position as a world tourism and leisure center,” the office said in a statement on Tuesday.

The office will also take full advantage of the favorable policies introduced by the central government and promote the diversified and sustainable development of the city’s tourism industry.

READ MORE: Xi'an, Qingdao to join HK, Macao individual visit scheme

According to official statistics, Macao received 8.88 million tourist arrivals in the first quarter, of whom 6.3 million were from the mainland, representing an increase of 94.3 percent from the same period last year.

Contact the writer at sally@chinadailyhk.com