Visitors increase by 13pc during first four days of the golden week

Macau welcomed 390,683 visitors on the first four days (September 29 to October 2) of the China National Day golden week, a 13.2 per cent increase compared to the same period of last year. Among the total of visitors, 65 per cent, or 254,139 people, came from Mainland China, 6.3 per cent more than the same period in 2007, according to figures of the Public Security Police Force referring to the period from September 29 to October 2. On the other hand, the number of international visitors saw a strong increase of 63.5 per cent on the first four days of the golden week, amounting to a 9.6 per cent share of the total, corresponding to 37,671 visitors. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Administration and the Fujian Provincial Tourism Administration activated from September 25 the Golden Week notification system. The channel of communication will remain in force until October 6. Through this notification system, the Macau side transmits to its counterparts in Guangdong and Fujian daily information such as average room rates of hotels and inns for the ensuing five days, hotel occupancy rates and the number of visitors that entered Macau the day before, including the share of Mainland China visitors. During the golden week period MGTO inspectors are intensifying surveillance at Macau’s most visited sites. MGTO is also distributing the brochure "Enjoy Macau", reminding Mainland tourists on matters to pay attention to when visiting the city. MGTO’s Information Counters and the Tourist Hotline (28333000) are functioning as usual during the holiday period. This text is available at: www.macautourism.gov.mo