“Macao Food Guide for 1st October Holiday”
Including seven days (1st – 7th October) in total, the 1st October Golden Week will start on 1st October. The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has taken an array of measures in vigorous preparation for the approach of the peak period, such as sending reminders to tourism industry operators and visitors by letter and mobile text respectively, interdepartmental sharing of information, scrupulous inspections, food guide publication, as well as delegating manpower at tourist spots to attend to visitor enquiries and so forth. Through the diverse measures above, MGTO has made unreserved efforts to cater for the needs of residents and visitors as well as to optimize the tourism environment and service quality in Macao.
Debut of Golden Week Statistics
New statistical indicators are now available on Macao Tourism Data plus (“MTD plus”). On this online platform of MGTO, public users can check provisional data about visitations to Macao during the Golden Week and look up statistics about visitations to Macao during the past Golden Weeks since 2017. In addition, MGTO will post provisional visitor arrival figures of every previous day on the Internet between 2nd and 8th October. For the public’s information, MGTO’s website and the Macao Tourism Industry Net also regularly publish the declared room rates of local hotels and guest houses in all room categories. In addition, the Office has, via WeChat, advised visitors to make room reservation and prepare itineraries in advance of their trips to Macao.
Trial use of smart methods to help divert visitor flow
This year, MGTO is working with the Public Security Police Force to divert visitor traffic at various tourist attractions through delivering mobile text messages in accord with geographic locations for the first time. Upon being alerted by the Police Force’s forecast that tourist traffic will spike imminently at main tourist attractions such as the Ruins of St. Paul’s and Senado Square, MGTO will instantly send a mobile text notification through telecommunication companies to visitors who are in areas including Praça de Ferreira do Amaral, Nam Van Lake and Rua do Campo, advising them to avoid visiting the congested area at the moment. In addition, from 29th September to 7th October, staff will be arranged at 10 tourist locations to provide visitors with tourism information and guidance while assisting in diverting the flow of visitors, with the aim to channel visitors off the beaten path and minimize their impact on traffic conditions and neighborhoods near popular tourist sites, thus maintaining the positive destination image of Macao.
During the Golden Week, MGTO will conduct more thorough inspections at different local tourist attractions, ports of entry and districts while joining hands with police authorities to combat illegal accommodation, with MGTO inspectors standing by for prompt action round the clock. In consideration of the latest situation, the Office will duly adjust manpower at Tourist Information counters, while the operator service of MGTO’s Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000 will attend to enquiries 24-hours as usual. Visitors can also visit MGTO’s official website for more tourism and related information.
In order to safeguard visitor rights and tourism quality, MGTO has sent letters to tourism and related businesses to raise their awareness about hygiene, fire safety, guest capacity, opening hours, occupational guideline of tour group reception, requirement for price-list declaration of hotels and catering establishments, requirement for hotel record keeping of guest information upon check-in, guideline on management of hotel swimming-pools and so on.
Colorful events and activities during Golden Week
Besides the above tactics, the 29th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest, featuring fireworks presented by the teams from Italy and China, as well as the Fireworks Carnival will be held on the National Day. In addition, MGTO has supported local associations to roll out the 3rd Macau International Lantern Festival in Anim’Arte NAM VAN (1st September to 1st October) and Avenida de Sagres (1st September to 15th October), and “Community Tourism – Autumn Afternoons” (29th September to 2nd October) at Taipa Houses, enlivening the city with festive vibes alongside fascinating choices of entertainment and leisure activities during the National Day holiday.
MGTO also maintains regular communication and sharing of information with other public entities including the Consumer Council, Public Security Police Force, Macao Customs Service, Marine and Water Bureau and Transport Bureau. On the “Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports” offered by Public Security Police Force, visitors can check real-time border-crossing images at the arrival & departure halls and traffic lanes of Border Gate, Outer Harbour, Cotai and Taipa Ferry Terminal Frontier Posts. By accessing the latest situation on this platform http://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/pspmonitor via phone or computer, visitors can opt for their suitable timing to leave or enter Macao. MGTO’s website offers a direct link to this real-time information webpage.
Travel tip Apps promise leisurely travel
Residents and visitors can download different mobile apps including "What's On, Macao", "Experience Macao" and "Step Out, Macao" from App Store or Google Play for free, and learn about the newest tourist attractions as well as upcoming events and festivals, performances, exhibitions and activities in town, with a wealth of travel information in hand. The promotional leaflet “Enjoy Macao” is also available to visitors at MGTO’s Tourist Information counters.
For dining options, visitors can look for quality restaurants and eateries accredited by the Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme (QTSAS) in the guidebook “Star Merchant Award – Restaurants and Eateries Guide”. In addition, MGTO publishes the “Macao Food Guide for 1st October Holiday” in collaboration with the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau, the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macao and the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District. Encompassing a list of available restaurants and eateries during the National Day Holiday, the handy food guide offers locals and visitors the contact and operation information of these establishments for their convenience.
The “Star Merchant Award – Restaurants and Eateries Guide” and the “Step Out, Experience Macao's Communities Walking Tour Routes” Brochure can be downloaded from MGTO's website: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo or acquired at MGTO’s Tourist Information counters. The “Macao Food Guide for 1st October Holiday” is distributed during the 1st October Golden Week and available for download on MGTO’s website and WeChat ID.