MGTO prepares for 1st October Golden Week in diverse aspects

The“Macao Food Guide for 1st October Holiday”(in Chinese)

Including eight days (1^st – 8^th October) in total, the 1^st October Golden Week will arrive on 1^st October the National Day, covering the Mid-Autumn Festival as well this year. The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has taken an array of measures in vigorous preparation for the arrival of the peak period, such as sending reminders to tourism industry operators and visitors by letter and mobile text message respectively, interdepartmental sharing of information, scrupulous inspections, food guide publication, as well as delegating manpower at tourist spots to provide visitor enquiry service 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.

Concerning the 1^st October Golden Week, MGTO will post visitor arrival figures of every previous day on the Internet for reference of the public between 2^nd and 9^th October. Besides, MGTO’s website regularly publishes 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.

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 delegate more 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.

Trade reminders help diverting visitor flow

In order to safeguard visitor rights and tourism quality, MGTO has sent letters to tourism and related businesses for their awareness of 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.Via mobile text message, MGTO will advise visitors to visit major local attractions during off-peak hours. The suggestion aims to divert the flow of visitors to other areas off the beaten path and minimize their impact on traffic conditions and neighborhoods near popular tourist sites, thus keeping the positive destination image of Macao. From 30^th September to 8^th October, staff will be arranged at ten tourist locations to provide visitors with tourism information and guidance while assisting in crowd management. Besides the above tactics, MGTO has supported local associations to roll out holiday and weekend activities at Anim'Arte Nam Van and the Taipa Houses, filling 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 from the Consumer Council, Public Security Police Force, Macao Customs Service, Marine and Water Bureau to 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 and Cotai Frontier Post. 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 webpage of Public Security Police Force.

Travel tip Apps promise easy 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 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 will publish the “Macao Food Guide for 1^st October Holiday” (in Chinese) 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 restaurants 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://www.macaotourism.gov.mo or acquired at MGTO’s Tourist Information counters. The “Macao Food Guide for 1^st October Holiday” is distributed during the 1^st October Golden Week and available for download on MGTO’s website and WeChat ID.