News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitors on package tours increased by 8.2% month-to-month to 728,000 in August 2016, with the year-on-year decline slowing to 20.6%. Package tour visitors from Mainland China (593,000) and Taiwan (42,000) decreased by 24.9% and 11.1% respectively year-on-year, while those from the Republic of Korea (32,000) surged by 146.3%. In the first eight months of 2016, visitors on package tours totalled 4,831,000, down by 28.5% year-on-year. Outbound residents using services of travel agencies totalled 109,000 in August 2016, up by 1.5% month-to-month and down by 17.3% year-on-year. Residents travelling on package tours decreased by 27.7% year-on-year to 41,000, owing to a 37.0% decrease in residents travelling to Mainland China (28,000); those travelling to Taiwan (2,700) also dropped by 14.0%. On the other hand, residents travelling to the Republic of Korea on package tours (3,900) soared by 580.4% year-on-year. In the first eight months of 2016, outbound residents using services of travel agencies totalled 816,000, down by 17.4% year-on-year. There were 105 hotels & guesthouses operating at the end of August 2016, up by 3 year-on-year and 1 month-to-month. Number of guest rooms totalled 33,000, up by 3,400 (+11.5%) year-on-year; 5-star (22,000) and 4-star hotel rooms (7,700) increased by 9.5% and 28.4% respectively. A total of 1,076,000 guests checked into hotels & guesthouses in August 2016, up by 3.3% month-to-month and 7.7% year-on-year. Guests from Mainland China (688,000), Hong Kong (178,000) and Taiwan (40,000) increased by 5.5%, 14.3% and 11.8% respectively year-on-year; concurrently, those from the Republic of Korea (28,000) surged by 40.3%. The average length of stay of guests held stable as in August 2015, at 1.4 nights. The average occupancy rate of hotels & guesthouses reached 90.3% in August 2016, the highest record since February 2014, up by 4.1 percentage points year-on-year and 3.5 percentage points month-to-month. The rate of 4-star hotels took the lead at 92.3%, up notably by 7.3 percentage points year-on-year, and that of 5-star hotels stood at 91.1%. In the first eight months of 2016, guests of hotels & guesthouses totalled 7,560,000, up by 12.0% year-on-year. The average occupancy rate of hotels & guesthouses stood at 81.1%, up slightly by 0.9 percentage points; the average length of stay of guests was 1.4 nights, down by 0.1 night year-on-year. Visitor-guests accounted for 70.6% of the total overnight visitors, up by 2.6 percentage points year-on-year.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released, for the first time, the results of the Business Climate Survey on Restaurants & Similar Establishments and Retail Trade. The Survey has been conducted since the beginning of 2016, which aims to provide a timely overview of the business performance of the surveyed industries. In accordance with the results, the business performance of Restaurants & Similar Establishments improved in July as compared to the previous months of 2016. The proportion of interviewed restaurants that posted a year-on-year growth in receipts increased to 34%, a record high for the first seven months of this year. Meanwhile, the proportion that recorded decline shrank to 43%. Among the various types of restaurants & similar establishments, 47% of the Chinese Restaurants reported a year-on-year increase in receipts in July; yet, 81% of the Japanese & Korean Restaurants saw a decrease. Business performance of Retail Trade showed a rebound in July as compared to the first half year of 2016, with 26% of the interviewed retailers posting a year-on-year growth in sales. Among the various types of retailers, 80% of the Leather Goods Retailers and 67% of the Supermarkets recorded a year-on-year increase in sales in July, with 33% of the interviewed Supermarkets reporting a growth of 20% or more. However, all of the interviewed Motor Vehicle Retailers and 78% of the Department Stores registered a decline in sales. With respect to business prospects, 15% of the interviewed restaurants anticipated a year-on-year growth in receipts in August 2016 while 44% expected their receipts to remain stable. In particular, 20% of the Chinese Restaurants anticipated a year-on-year rise in receipts in August while 47% expected steady sales. On the contrary, the Japanese & Korean Restaurants were generally less confident about their business prospects, with 69% anticipating a year-on-year sales drop in August. Retailers expected a minor improvement in their business prospects; 15% of the interviewed retailers anticipated a year-on-year growth in sales in August while 28% expected their sales to remain stable. Among them, 67% of the interviewed Supermarkets and 40% of the Leather Goods Retailers expected a year-on-year sales increase. On the other hand, 57% of the interviewed retailers anticipated a year-on-year decrease in sales in August, down marginally by 2 percentage points from June, of which 89% of the Motor Vehicle Retailers, 78% of the Department Stores and 74% of the Clocks, Watches & Jewellery Retailers predicted a sales decline. The sample of the Business Climate Survey on Restaurants & Similar Establishments and Retail Trade was selected based on the receipts of the establishments, comprising 167 restaurants (accounting for 53% of the industry’s receipts) and 135 retailers (accounting for 70% of the industry’s receipts). The Survey results reflect only the business performance and the expectation of the sample restaurants and retailers, where no extrapolation of results has been conducted. Results of the Business Climate Survey will be released on a monthly basis.
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Data collection for the 2016 Population By-census has been successfully concluded. As a token of appreciation from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), all households who completed the By-census questionnaire have been automatically entered into the Cooperating Households Lucky Draw, and those who completed the e-Questionnaire have got an extra entry into the E-Questionnaire Lucky Draw. The draws, presided over by Ieong Meng Chao, Director of DSEC, Cheng I Wan and Mak Hang Chan, Deputy Directors, and Choi Ka I, Chief of Division, took place on 29 September. A total of 38 winning households were announced as follows: The First Prize of the Cooperating Households Lucky Draw, MOP10,000 electrical goods vouchers, went to household reference number 202510482; the Second Prize, MOP6,000 electrical goods vouchers, to household reference number 506320113; the Third Prize, MOP3,000 electrical goods vouchers, to household reference number 103410492; and 30 Incentive Prizes, MOP1,000 electrical goods vouchers, to 103310427, 104410495, 108210307, 202210215, 202510219, 203210026, 204410169, 205420414, 205510017, 208520552, 301410225, 302320429, 303210158, 306110537, 307210486, 307510210, 406210510, 503320486, 505110313, 508120168, 509320120, 601520497, 605410109, 606220566, 607210098, 607420311, 608520311, 703420275, 920530018 and 920750017. The five winning households of the E-Questionnaire Lucky Draw, each will receive an iPhone 6s, were household reference numbers 101220070, 408510529, 507320170, 701420521 and 702520328. All winning households will be notified in writing by DSEC. The winners of the First, Second and Third Prizes of the Cooperating Households Lucky Draw and the five winners of E-Questionnaire Lucky Draw will be invited to the prize presentation ceremony. Meanwhile, the 30 winning households of the Incentive Prize shall collect their prize in person at DSEC (Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, No. 411-417, Dynasty Plaza, 17th floor) between 5 October and 30 December 2016 by presenting the prize notification letter, their identity card and a proof (e.g. water, electricity or phone bill, etc.) containing their name and the address of the housing unit. In addition, the 50 winners of the 2016 Population By-census Quiz Game were also announced. The winners will be notified by DSEC via SMS message. Meanwhile, the list of winners and prize collection details were posted on the DSEC website (www.dsec.gov.mo/Intercensos2016).
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The Chinese, Portuguese and English CD ROM special editions of Macao Yearbook 2016, an annual publication compiled by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) of the Macao SAR, will be released tomorrow (30 September). The Macao Yearbook is a comprehensive chronicle. It outlines major events, details of progress achieved, and changes made in the course of Macao’s political, economic, social and cultural development, with the aim of promoting Macao and providing detailed information and data for all who wish to study and understand Macao. Starting from 2016, the Chinese, Portuguese and English editions of the Macao Yearbook will no longer be available in print versions in response to the growing popularity of online reading and the need for environmental protection. The yearbook will now be available in digital version only, enriched with more photos and videos to meet changing needs. For this purpose, a new website and a new App for mobile devices for Macao Yearbook is launched to facilitate online browsing. The CD ROM special edition of Macao Yearbook includes a CD ROM containing the PDF version of the yearbook and a sleekly designed coaster. Published annually since 2002, the Macao Yearbook is available in Chinese, Portuguese and English. It is divided into four sections: Administrative Priorities of the MSAR Government; Calendar of Events; Review of the MSAR in 2015 and Appendices. This year’s Chinese edition comprises 536 pages with about 218,000 words, Portuguese edition 661 pages, and English edition 610 pages; the yearbook is enriched by 248 photographs. Consisting of 16 chapters, the Review of the MSAR presents information on the political and administrative system; legal and judicial system; external relations; economy; gaming industry; tourism; public order; education; culture and sport; health and social welfare; media, communications and information technology; land, infrastructure, housing and public utilities; transport; geography, environment and population; religion and customs; and history. To illustrate various aspects of the latest developments in the MSAR in a visual way, the Government Information Bureau jointly organised with eight local photography organisations and four news media organisations a photographic competition entitled “Precious Moments in Macao” in early 2016. The yearbook has been enhanced by 62 of the winning entries. The CD ROM special edition of Macao Yearbook can be purchased at the following places at 60 patacas per copy: major local bookstores; the Government Public Information Centre at Rua do Campo; and the Macao Post Office (Macao Post)’s Philatelic Division, Rua do Campo Branch, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal Branch, Macau International Airport Branch, and Nova Taipa Branch. During the promotional period lasting until 31 March 2017, a 20 percent discount will be offered to any purchase of Macao Yearbook 2016.
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In order to optimize one of the main tourist attractions Taipa Houses-Museum, the Cultural Affairs Bureau carried out renovation and conservation works since the end of this August, including painting the exterior walls, repairing windows and door frame, and installation of lighting in the surrounding areas of the buildings. The works have been completed and three of the houses are open to the public starting from this Saturday, 1 October, with free admission. Five Portuguese buildings of Taipa Houses-Museum were built in 1921, which had been the residences for high superior civil servants and Macanese families. In 1992, the five buildings were recognized as buildings with architectural value. After restoration, the Government transformed them into museums, under the name of “Taipa Houses-Museum”, which were opened to the public in 1999. In order to optimize the surrounding environment of the Taipa Houses-Museum, in the preservation of the original characteristics of the buildings, the Government proceeded further integration of five buildings, creating a multicultural leisure area and building a platform for showcasing the culture of Portuguese-speaking countries and international cultural exchange. The Taipa Houses-Museum are open to the public from 10am to 7pm (no admission after 6:30pm; closed on Mondays). For more information, please contact IC through tel. no. 8988 4000, during office hours.
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Consumer Council establishes the ‘Code of Practice’ for food and beverage services to further enhance the sense of food safety of ‘Certified Shops’, and the prerequisite to label price further safeguard consumers’ rights to information and choose when making consumption. Consumer Council establishes ‘Codes of Practice’ for different industries to safeguard consumers’ access to safe and high-quality products and services. ‘Code of Practice’ for F&B services takes effect on 1 October Macao is now an international tourism city, local food and beverage businesses should make themselves up-to-date and satisfy both local citizens’ and international tourists’ requests regarding food services. Consumer Council, therefore, consulted Food Safety Centre of IACM, consultants of Consumer Arbitration Centre, and ‘Certified Shops’ from the relevant businesses and established the ‘Code of Practice’ for food and beverage services, and the Code will take effect on 1 October. Strict regulations on many aspects The ‘Code of Practice’ for food & beverage services requires ‘Certified Shops’ of the concerned industry to comply with the local regulation to strictly following the execution of food safety and measurements. Other requirements include: ‘Certified Shops’ must let consumers know about the measured weights or volume, retail prices of food or beverage products and other charges must be listed explicitly, description of ingredients should match the food sold to consumers, and ‘Certified Shops’ should support the sustainable development of the environment in terms of operations. Different Codes to be set for various industries The Council states that the ‘Code of Practice’ for F&B services safeguards consumers in areas such as food safety and information transparency, the said Code is currently the seventeenth Code set for industries under the ‘Certified Shop’ mechanism. The Council will continue to establish different Codes to raise the overall standard of ‘Certified Shops’. ‘Code of Practice’ regulates rights and obligations of both consumers and traders There are currently about 120 shops under the ‘Certified Shop’ mechanism, all shops are called on to abide by the Code, and the Council welcomes other shops to adopt the new Code for the improvement of local food and beverage service industry. The ‘Code of Practice’ for food and beverage services is now available on the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and will be available at different public locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for August 2016 amounted to MOP973 million, up by 8.4% year-on-year; value of domestic exports (MOP224 million) soared by 94.7%, with that of Tobacco rising by 89.4%; meanwhile, value of re-exports (MOP749 million) dropped by 4.3%. Total merchandise import registered an increase for the first time since August 2015, up by 1.8% year-on-year to MOP6.92 billion, as imports of Large passenger cars surged by 722.9% and imports of Watches and Gold jewellery rose by 40.7% and 16.5% respectively. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.94 billion. In the first eight months of 2016, total value of merchandise export dropped by 5.4% year-on-year to MOP6.91 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP5.66 billion) decreased by 7.1%, but that of domestic exports (MOP1.25 billion) increased by 2.6%. Total value of merchandise import fell by 18.7% to MOP46.05 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP39.13 billion for the first eight months of 2016. Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP3.91 billion) decreased by 12.5% year-on-year in the first eight months of 2016. Despite a 1.8% drop in exports to the nine provinces of the Pan Pearl River Delta (MOP1.13 billion), exports to Hubei Province (MOP20 million) and Beijing (MOP13 million) surged by 1,260.8% and 60.2% respectively, resulting in a 0.8% rise in exports to Mainland China (MOP1.20 billion). Meanwhile, exports to the EU (MOP122 million) and the USA (MOP97 million) reduced by 23.8% and 28.2% respectively. Exports of Non-textiles declined by 4.8% year-on-year to MOP6.42 billion, of which value of Clocks & watches (MOP674 million) dropped by 29.5% but that of Tobacco & wine (MOP559 million) grew by 51.5%. Exports of Textiles & garments totalled MOP492 million, down by 13.0%. By place of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP16.54 billion) and the EU (MOP11.35 billion) in the first eight months of 2016 decreased by 21.1% and 11.0% respectively year-on-year. Analysed by place of consignment, merchandise import from Mainland China declined by 7.3% to MOP7.85 billion, of which imports from the nine provinces of the Pan Pearl River Delta (MOP7.45 billion) fell by 7.6%. Imports of Consumer goods dropped by 14.3% to MOP28.90 billion, with imports of Watches (MOP2.88 billion) and Motor cars & motorcycles (MOP814 million) decreasing by 34.3% and 55.3% respectively. Moreover, imports of Fuels & lubricants (MOP4.08 billion), Mobile phones (MOP2.68 billion) and Construction materials (MOP1.36 billion) declined by 13.5%, 48.0% and 35.9% respectively. External merchandise trade totalled MOP52.96 billion in the first eight months of 2016, down by 17.1% compared with MOP63.91 billion a year earlier.
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Consumer Council and Macao Customs work together before 1 October holiday to distribute leaflets to ‘Adherents’ and ‘Certified Shops’ to enhance shops’ awareness of copyrighted goods and to show them the correct way of price labeling. 1 October holiday is a high season for shopping in Macao, the Council and Macao Customs visited ‘Adherents’ and ‘Certified Shops’ from telecommunications supplies, jewellery, and Chinese medicines industries in the northern district and near Rotunda de Carlos da Maia. ‘Adherents’ and ‘Certified Shops’ are reminded to purchase goods from reliable sources, refrain from selling counterfeit products, label prices of products and services in MOP, and to guarantee that the goods sold to consumers are legal and safe. Consumer Council states that multiple on-site visits have been carried out by both departments in preparation for various shopping high seasons to enhance the awareness of ‘Adherents’ and ‘Certified Shops’, and to ensure the operations and services of shops meet the standard of the ‘Certified Shops’ mechanism. Measures will be taken timely if problems are found to ensure the standard and quality of ‘Adherents’ and ‘Certified Shops’ are secured, and to encourage local citizens’ and tourists’ confidence in shopping in Macao. There are currently over 1,000 shops under the ‘Certified Shops’ mechanism.
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Dr Brian Hall from the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau (UM), will receive the Chaim and Bela Danieli Young Professional Award from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) in November. The ISTSS is an international organisation dedicated to research on psychological trauma and adversity. The Chaim and Bela Danieli Young Professional Award recognises excellence in science or research in the field of traumatic stress by an individual who has completed his or her training within the last five years. Dr Hall has been elected to serve on the ISTSS’s Board of Directors for a three-year term. Past award recipients are all leaders in the field of traumatic stress and public health, including Dr Cherie Armour from the University of Ulster; Dr Erika Wolf from Boston University and the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; Dr Katie A McLaughlin from the University of Washington; Dr Robert H Pietrzak from Yale University; Dr Wietse A Tol from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Dr Ananda Amstadter from Virginia Commonwealth University; Dr Karestan Koenen from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health; and Dr Mark van Ommeren from the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr Hall will attend the annual ISTSS conference to be held in Dallas, Texas, in November, and will give a speech on the use of technology in delivering mental health services to migrant populations, a project he is working on in collaboration with the WHO. As a clinical psychologist, an epidemiologist, and an expert on global public health, Dr Hall is currently involved in a collaborative multidisciplinary research project aimed to improve the health of the populace in the Greater China region, with an emphasis on the population in Macao, and the migrant communities in the Pearl River Delta region. To learn more about Dr. Hall’s research, please visit http://www.umac.mo/fss/psychology/staff_Brian.html.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in September on 28 September for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 12 supermarkets in Taipa and Coloane area. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), and the ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM’s Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. With reference to the local seven parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided over 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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