The number of visitors to Macau rose almost 23 per cent 2006, putting the Asian gambling Mecca firmly on track to surpass nearby Hong Kong as China's tourism hotspot.
According to recent government statistics, cited by Reuters news agency, more than 27 million people visited Macau in 2007, up 22.7 per cent on the previous year.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong registered more than 28 million visitor arrivals, an increase of more than 10 per cent on 2006.
If growth rates are maintained, Macau will take the lead this year.
