Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the fourth quarter of 2018 decreased by 1.90% year-on-year to 139.81, on account of lower charges for hotel accommodation and falling prices of ladies’ clothing. Among the various sections of goods and services, price indices of Accommodation and Clothing & Footwear fell significantly by 6.46% and 6.32% respectively. On the other hand, price indices of Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco and Restaurant Services grew by 4.11% and 1.63% respectively year-on-year.
In comparison with the previous quarter, TPI for the fourth quarter of 2018 increased by 6.90%. Price index of Accommodation surged by 24.80% due to higher hotel room rates during the National Day holidays, the Macao Grand Prix and Christmas holidays. Moreover, new arrival of winter clothing and higher airfares drove up the price indices of Clothing & Footwear and Transport & Communications by 8.26% and 3.22% respectively quarter-to-quarter.
The average TPI for the whole year of 2018 rose by 1.88% year-on-year to 134.35. The increase was mainly attributable to rising charges for hotel accommodation and restaurant services, dearer prices of local food products, as well as higher bus fares and airfares; meanwhile, falling prices of clothing & footwear and handbags offset some of the increase. Analysed by main section of goods and services, price indices of Accommodation (+5.29%), Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+4.29%) and Transport & Communications (+3.27%) recorded notable growth, whereas the index of Clothing & Footwear (-3.07%) saw a decrease.
TPI reflects the price change of goods and services purchased by visitors. Sections of TPI goods and services are selected according to the consumption pattern of visitors, namely Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Services; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods.