News

To celebrate the 67th Anniversary of the Establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at our Philatelic Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters at 9:00 to 17:30 on 1st October 2016 providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “Celebration of the 67th Anniversary of the Establishment of the People’s Republic of China”. A commemorative envelope priced at MOP3.00 will be issued. Welcome to visit us and collect Macao Stamps!
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Spanning a whole week from 1st to 7th October, the 1st October Golden Week will begin on 1st October officially. Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has adopted a range of measures to actively prepare for the peak period as follows: sending out reminders and mobile text messages to industry partners and visitors respectively, sharing interdepartmental information, more scrupulous inspections, food guide publication, stationing manpower at various tourist spots to provide tourism information and guidance, etc. Through a series of measures, MGTO is dedicated not only to catering for the needs of residents and visitors but also to optimizing tourism service quality and tourism environment in Macao. Regular communication and information sharing By sending out letters, MGTO suggests local travel agency associations should advise tour operators to adjust their schedules of tour group visits to major attractions. On the other hand, through mobile text messages, MGTO advises visitors to visit popular sightseeing districts during off-peak hours. Such tactics are adopted to divert visitors from overcrowding areas and to keep traffic situations and neighborhoods near tourist sites least affected, so as to maintain a positive destination image of Macao. During the period from 1st to 9th October, personnel will be stationed at ten different tourist locations to provide tourism information and guidance for visitors and assist in crowd management. MGTO also regularly communicates and exchanges information with other government entities including Consumer Council, Public Security Police Force, Macau Customs Service, Marine and Water Bureau as well as Transport Bureau. From the “Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports” operated by Public Security Police Force, visitors can check the real-time border-crossing images at the arrival & departure halls and traffic lanes of Border Gate, Outer Harbour and Cotai Frontier Post by visiting the platform webpage: http://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/pspmonitor on phone or computer. Visitors can hence choose a suitable timing to leave or arrive in Macao more flexibly. MGTO’s website has offered a direct link to Public Security Police Force’s webpage “Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports”. Reminder to trade and more scrupulous inspections In order to safeguard visitor rights and tourism quality, MGTO already sent out letters to tourism and related businesses to raise their awareness about hygiene, fire safety, guest capacity, opening hours, occupational guideline of hosting tour groups, requirement for hotels and catering establishments to declare their price lists as well as for hotels to keep a record of hotel guest information upon check-in, hotel swimming-pool management guideline and so forth. MGTO will carry out more scrupulous inspections at various tourist attractions, ports and districts in Macao while joining hands with police authorities to keep combating illegal accommodation. MGTO inspectors will stand by round the clock. The Office will also increase the manpower at Tourist Information counters, whereas MGTO’s Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000 will maintain its 24-hour operator service as usual. Visitors may also obtain tourism and related information from MGTO’s official website. Posting visitor arrival numbers online Because of the upcoming 1st October Golden Week, MGTO will post every previous day’s visitor arrival numbers online for the public’s information during the period between 2nd and 8th October. On top of that, MGTO regularly publishes the room rates of different room categories reported by hotels and guest houses in Macao on its website. In addition, via its WeChat ID, the Office will advise visitors to make room reservation and prepare their itinerary ahead of their trip to Macao. Event and festival Highlights on App During the National Day holidays, there will be a range of festivals, events, performances, exhibitions and activities in Macao, including the finale fireworks evening themed as “Celebration in the Sky” in the 28th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest, featuring the fireworks presented by the team from Romania and China on the National Day. Residents and visitors can download several mobile apps including "What's On, Macao", "Experience Macao" and "Step Out, Macao" Mobile App from App Store or Google Play for free, and easily obtain information about the latest tourist attractions, events and festivals, performances, exhibitions and activities in Macao. Smartphone users can download the Apps in advance and check out Macao's splendid events and tourism information offline. The content of the Apps is available in English, Traditional and Simplified Chinese. “Step Out” Mobile App also offers its content in Portuguese. Macao Food Guide Visitors can find the restaurants and eateries accredited by the Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme (QTSAS) listed in the “Star Merchant Award" – Restaurants and Eateries Guide. MGTO has also published the “Macao Food Guide for 1st October Holiday” (Chinese version only) together with General Union of the Macau Neighborhood Association, the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macau, the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District, Commerce Federation of Macau Central and Southern District as well as the Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macau. Offering a contact list of restaurants and eateries which will be open during the 1st October Golden Week, the handy food guide will familiarize locals and visitors with the restaurants’ operation information. “Step Out, Experience Macao’s Communities” To enrich the festive experience, MGTO will again arrange a variety of artistic performances with the hue of Chinese and Portuguese traditions at different tourist attractions in Macao and spots along the “Step Out, Experience Macao’s Communities” walking tour routes on weekends. Visitors can enjoy these performances for free. Personnel will be stationed at different tourist locations to provide visitors with tourism information. They will also distribute the brochure "Step Out, Experience Macao's Communities Walking Tour Routes", encouraging locals and visitors to explore the routes. 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 1st October Holiday” is available in both hard and soft copies by distribution and for downloading during the 1st October Golden Week, or can be viewed on MGTO’s WeChat ID.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in September on 26 September for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Horte e Costa, Avenida do Ouvidor Arriaga and Rua da Emenda areas in Santo António Parish. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. 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 around 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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Macao Post would like to announce that the Carmo Post Office located at Avenida de Carlos da Maia in Taipa, Macao, will be officially inaugurated on 28th September 2016 at 12:00 noon. The opening ceremony will be officiated jointly by the Secretary of Secretariat for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo Arrais do Rosário, and the Director of Macao Post, Lau Wai Meng. The office hours of the post office are as follows: Postal Services (Posta Restante) and PO Box Services Monday to Friday 11:30 ~ 19:00 Saturday 09:30 ~ 14:00 Easy Payment Services Monday to Friday 11:30 ~ 18:00 Saturday 09:30 ~ 13:00
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The registration for 2016 Macao Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon, organized by the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government and the General Association of Athletics of Macau and title sponsored by the Galaxy Entertainment Group, started today (24 Sep) and has received overwhelming response. The Organizing Committee announced that all quotas for the Marathon, Half Marathon and Mini Marathon have all been taken up. This annual event will take place on 4 December (Sunday), with the start and finish both located inside the Stadium of the Olympic Sport Centre. Participants for the marathon and half marathon will start at 6:00 am, while those for the mini marathon will start at 6:15 am. All race regulation and information are available on the event website www.macaumarathon.com.
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The grand opening of the promotional campaign for the Suncity Group 63rd Macau Grand Prix was held on September 24 at Ocean Terminal, Tsimshatsui, drawing a large number of residents and visitors who enjoyed a taste of the high-octane excitement that has made the event one of Asia’s most popular sporting attractions. The Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee participated in the roadshow, which was staged by the Macau Government Tourist Office on September 24 and 25, and the two-day event included a number of fun activities as well as displays telling the fascinating history of the event and its famous Guia Circuit. This year with the most prestigious race programme in its history, featuring seven races including two official FIA World Cups, the Grand Prix’s roadshow was equally impressive. Visitors had the chance to get an up-close look at the Mercedes Dallara Formula 3 car with which Spanish star Daniel Juncadella rocketed to victory on Macau’s famous Guia street circuit in 2011, and the 2003 Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix-winning 1000cc Ducati ridden by eight-time winner and undisputed two-wheel King of Macau, Michael Rutter. A pair of racing simulators gave visitors a unique chance to test their mettle on the Guia Circuit, described by current F1 star Daniel Ricciardo, who raced at Macau in 2009, as: “Monaco but twice the length and even crazier. I like that a lot. It’s good fun.” The Suncity Group 63rd Macau Grand Prix will be held from November 17-20. The provisional race programme for this year includes a total of seven thrilling races. The new FIA F3 World Cup joins the Macau GT Cup, designated the official FIA GT World Cup for the second consecutive year; the Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, this year celebrating its Golden Jubilee; and the ever-popular Suncity Group Guia Race 2.0T, as the four headline races. On the support card is the Macau Touring Car Cup, the Suncity Group Macau Road Sport Challenge and the Suncity Group Chinese Racing Cup. For more details, please visit the Macau Grand Prix official website: www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo
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To promote the upcoming mega events and festivals in Macao, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) organizes an “Experience Macao Your Own Style Carnival” in Hong Kong from 24th to 25th September 2016. The Carnival spotlights the 63rd Macau Grand Prix, “Parade through Macao, Latin City” and other events coming up in the 4th quarter of the year, giving Hong Kong residents a glimpse of the festival vibe in Macao. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Sports Bureau President Pun Weng Kun and Vice President Lam Lin Kio officiated the opening ceremony of the "Experience Macao Your Own Style Carnival" Roadshow together with other guests today (24th September). Hong Kong artists Nancy Wu Ting Yan and Benjamin Yuen Wai Ho perform a short play at the opening ceremony, while well-known magician Louis Yan presented a magic show on the theme of “Experience Macao Your Own Style”. Besides, acclaimed Hong Kong racing driver Charles Ng Ka Ki shared his experience and passion on car racing with the audience. In addition, dancing performances as well as interactive games were held on stage to let the audience experience the lively ambience of Macau Grand Prix with chances to win tickets to this spectacular event. MGTO has adopted “Experience Macao Your Own Style” as the theme of the Carnival and designed the venue as the Guia Circuit to attract visitors. A classic Formula 3 racing car is on display with a Grand Prix simulator available to visitors for the exciting fun of car racing. What’s more, three digital zones are built around the miniature of the racing circuit to encourage Hong Kong residents to explore Macao in different styles. “Macao in 3D Style” displays dazzling fireworks of Macao in three dimensions through a hologram projector, whereas “Mini Macao Light Style” brings the romantic atmosphere of Macao Light Festival alive at the Carnival. “4th December, Macao Day and Night” introduces three major events coming up on 4th December (Macao International Marathon, “Parade through Macao, Latin City”, and Macao Light Festival). The Carnival also presents a Grand Prix Game featuring the Virtual Reality (VR) technology, allowing visitors to experience a simulated presence at the racing circuit in Macau Grand Prix and cheer the racers on. Apart from the above, there are display panels which introduce visitors to various tourist attractions and international events in Macao including Anim’Arte Nam Van, Macao’s World Heritage as well as International Film Festival & Awards･Macao and more.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in September on 23 September for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 13 supermarkets in Sé Parish. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. 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. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. With reference to the local seven parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 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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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals increased by 3.1% month-to-month to 2,882,557 in August 2016 due to the summer holidays, yet down by 5.0% year-on-year. Overnight visitors showed continued growth, rising by 3.7% year-on-year to 1,476,910, the highest single-month figure since January 2008; same-day visitors dropped by 12.6% year-on-year to 1,405,647. The average length of stay of visitors increased by 0.1 day year-on-year to 1.2 days; the average stay of overnight visitors and same-day visitors was 2.1 days and 0.2 day respectively. Visitors from Mainland China decreased by 5.5% year-on-year to 1,979,224 in August 2016, of which those travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme dropped by 4.4% to 1,006,432. Mainland visitors came mainly from Guangdong Province (919,486), Hunan Province (89,354) and Fujian Province (74,051). Visitors from Hong Kong (591,880) decreased by 7.6% year-on-year, while those from the Republic of Korea (57,739) and Taiwan (94,411) increased by 32.1% and 3.3% respectively. Long-haul visitors from the United States (12,931) and Canada (5,399) increased year-on-year, while those from Australia (5,375) and the United Kingdom (5,134) decreased. Analyzed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by land decreased by 2.7% year-on-year to 1,671,825, the first decline after 8 consecutive months of year-on-year increase; those arriving through the Border Gate (1,446,681) dropped by 3.7% while those through the Checkpoint of Cotai (223,733) rose by 4.4%. Visitor arrivals by sea decreased by 11.7% year-on-year to 993,518; those disembarking at the Outer Harbour (596,832) and the Provisional Ferry Terminal in Taipa (396,686) dropped by 10.4% and 7.2%. Visitor arrivals by air increased by 15.0% year-on-year to 217,214, with 216,574 arriving at the airport. In the first eight months of 2016, visitor arrivals totalled 20,441,708, similar to that in the same period of 2015; overnight visitors rose by 8.1% to 10,095,958 while same-day visitors dropped by 6.8% to 10,345,750. The average length of stay of visitors increased by 0.2 day year-on-year to 1.2 days; the average stay of overnight visitors rose by 0.2 day to 2.2 days while that of same-day visitors held stable at 0.2 day. Visitors from Mainland China (13,560,015) and Hong Kong (4,268,807) decreased by 0.6% and 2.6% respectively, while those from the Republic of Korea (422,379) and Taiwan (717,742) increased by 12.8% and 10.4%. Moreover, long-haul visitors from the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom registered year-on-year increase.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total receipts of enterprises that engaged in gaming activities amounted to MOP 233.23 billion in 2015, down by 34.1% year-on-year. Specifically, gaming receipts decreased by 34.3% year-on-year to MOP 231.58 billion; receipts from food & beverage (MOP 548 million) and currency exchange (MOP 76 million) dropped by 10.6% and 24.6% respectively; interest receipts declined by 32.5% to MOP 278 million. Total expenditure amounted to MOP 101.87 billion, down by 32.5% year-on-year. Purchase of Goods, Commission Paid & Customer Rebate accounted for MOP 56.99 billion, down substantially by 45.1%. Operating Expenses reduced by 13.5% to MOP 21.24 billion. Within Operating Expenses, expenditure on complimentary goods & services (such as hotel accommodation and food & beverage) provided to customers totalled MOP 9.81 billion and that on marketing & publicity was MOP 3.91 billion, down by 14.1% and 27.6% respectively. Compensation of Employees increased by 5.1% to MOP 19.93 billion, in spite of a 2.7% drop in total number of full-time employees (56,217). On the other hand, Non-operating Expenses (including depreciation and interest paid) totalled MOP 3.70 billion, up by 4.6% year-on-year. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy amounted to MOP 154.74 billion, down by 31.3% year-on-year. Gross Surplus of the gaming sector decreased by 34.6% to MOP 134.80 billion. Gross Surplus Ratio dropped slightly by 0.4 percentage points to 57.9%. Owing to an increase in acquisition of machinery and other equipment, Gross Fixed Capital Formation of the gaming sector increased by 4.0% year-on-year to MOP 2.75 billion.
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