GGCT continues to monitor closely Japan’s earthquake and affected Macau residents

The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) continues to monitor the situation and the effects of the severe earthquake occurred in Japan, while maintaining contact with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC in Macau, the travel industry, the representatives of the Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO) in Japan and Taiwan, in order to follow up the developments, as well as to inform the residents in need to call the tourism hotline. After the earthquake occurred on the eastern coast of Sendai, Japan, the Macau and Hong Kong airline companies resumed successively the flights between Macau and Tokyo, although the public transport and communication systems haven't recovered completely. GGCT is monitoring closely the local situation after the earthquake and urges Macau residents and tourists in Japan to be aware of personal safety and pay attention to local safety instructions. Macau residents requiring assistance can call the Tourism Hotline (853) 28333000. According to information provided by the travel industry, at this moment there are 2 Macau tour groups with around 50 people in Osaka which itinerary is not affected. On the other hand, the 2 Macao residents who joined a HK tour have already been transferred from Tokyo to Osaka to continue with their itinerary. In addition, there are around 40 Macau residents travelling individually in Japan, for which GGCT will continue to maintain contact with them in order to follow up the situation and provide assistance Up till 17:00 today, GGCT received accumulated total of 111 inquiries: mainly regarding the local transports not being recovered, not being able to go to the airport in Tokyo, or wishing to return earlier to Macau, finding out different information and contacts for assistance, as well as enquiries due to not being able to contact their family or friends. There are a total of 24 cases, involving 43 people, GGCT is assisting to follow the related cases, in which 14 cases have already been solved and GGCT is following the remaining 10 cases. Since there are some cases with insufficient information, GGCT urges the needed citizens to call the tourism hotline to provide the necessary information. On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC issued an emergency announcement regarding the severe earthquake in the North-Eastern region of Japan on March 11th, stating that every possible effort will be deployed to assist Chinese citizens, and should there be casualties or any other injuries, they can contact the Embassy through the following numbers: 1. Mobile phone: 090-7835-2685; 090-4830-5150; 080-1138-973
2. Telephone: 03-3403-3388, extension 8712
3. Fax: 03-3403-5447; 03-3403-3380; 03-3403-3345 Air Macau also informed passengers that are departing to Tokyo in the next two days to call the following numbers before departure: 83965555 or 66626776; or visit Air Macau's website www.airmacau.com.mo, in order to find out the newest flight schedules. Tourism Crisis Management Office, 12th of March, 2011.