Facing the upcoming May 1st Labor Day holiday, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has adopted a range of coping measures to prepare for the peak season as follows: carrying out more inspections, reminding the trade about different concerns by mail, advising visitors to make room reservation in advance, publishing food guide, promoting the walking tour routes "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" and event highlights along the routes, etc. Through the series of measures, the Office strives to cater for the needs of visitors and residents, optimize the tourism environment and alleviate overcrowdedness at popular tourist districts in Macau. MGTO will carry out more inspections at different tourist attractions, border ports and local districts during the Labor Day holiday. MGTO's Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000 will also maintain its 24-hour operator service as usual. Meanwhile, the Office's inspectors will stand by round the clock to assist visitors in need. MGTO has also sent out letters reminding the trade to pay attention to hygiene, fire safety, opening hours, occupational guidelines of hosting tour groups, requirements about hotel room rate report and guest information record upon check-in at hotels, etc. MGTO has been regularly releasing room rates of different room categories reported by local hotels and guest houses on its website, the Office will also send mobile text message to Mainland visitors upon their arrival, advising them to check room rates on MGTO's website; to ensure visitors have more travel tips in hand, the Office encourages visitors to obtain printed materials at MGTO's Tourist Information counters for free. Moreover, the Office used Wechat to advise tourists to make room reservation and prepare the itinerary in advance. MGTO also regularly communicates and exchanges news with Consumer Council, Public Security Police Force, Macau Customs Service, Marine and Water Bureau, Transport Bureau and so forth. Visitors can visit Public Security Police Force's website: www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/pspmonitor on phone or computer and check the real-time border-crossing images at the arrival/departure halls and traffic lanes of Barrier Gate, Outer Harbour and Cotai Frontier Post on the "Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports", thus able to choose the right timing of arrival and departure. MGTO's website offers a direct link to the "Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports" on Public Security Police Force's webpage. Besides the above measures, MGTO also publishes "Macau Food Guide for the May 1st Vacation" (Chinese version only) jointly with The United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macau, The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District, General Union of the Macau Neighborhood Association as well as The Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macau. The food guide provides a contact list of restaurants and eateries which will open during the Labor Day holiday so that visitors can obtain their operating information conveniently. To give residents and visitors a wonderful experience in town and alleviate overcrowdedness at popular tourist districts while boosting community tourism, MGTO continues to promote the four walking tour routes under the theme "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" and event highlights along the routes. Details about the activities will be published on the upcoming issue of "What's On" in May. MGTO's five Macau Tourism Ambassadors will also be stationed at ten spots in various tourist districts with other staff during 1 – 4 May to answer visitors' enquiries and introduce visitors to various tourist spots. They will also distribute the brochures "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities". "Macau Food Guide for the May 1st Vacation", "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" brochure and "What's On" can be downloaded from MGTO's website: www.macautourism.gov.mo or acquired from MGTO's Tourist Information counters for free. This press release is available at: www.macautourism.gov.mo
