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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) will hold four training sessions in four consecutive months to enhance the service quality of tourism and related sectors and promote the Quality Pledge, with the retail sector as the foremost training target. During his speech, Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes expressed that Macau is developing into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure and progresses towards diversified development; in order to become an internationally-acclaimed tourist destination, Macau should highly value human resources and regard quality service as a significant factor. At present, Macau tourism industry is rapidly developing. Training becomes essential for the trade to catch up with the growing demand. Representatives of Macau retail and related sectors' associations, leaders of Macau's large retail groups and enterprises as well as operators of small and medium enterprises (SME) attended the "Service Par Excellence for Increasing Profitability" Seminar today. The seminar topic was presented by Mr. Thomas Chow, an experienced tourism sector trainer around the World and Macau, who alerted entrepreneurs on the importance of quality service to increasing profitability during the seminar. Mr. Chow is Managing Director of "Chow & Associates", a management consultancy company founded in 1980, which specializes in providing expertise in corporation and management development, and staff training in different areas and many companies, namely: Hospitality Industry (Hong Kong Hotel Association); Travel & Tourism (assisting the founding of IFT, IATA); Retail Sales Operations (Hong Kong Retail Management Association, BMW Asia); Airlines & Transportation (Thai Airways, Dragonair, Tun Mun Light Railways Corporation, LSG Lufthansa Asia Ltd.); Insurance; Trading/ Manufacturing; among many others. As a management and training consultant Mr. Chow has travelled globally developing activities in Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe and Africa. Retail enterprises' shareholders and executives as well as SME operators were first invited to attend the seminar. Following the seminar, three two-day workshops will be held in October, November and December consecutively to provide professional training for retail shop managers and supervisors. After they master the related information and techniques, they can share with their customer–contact personnel. MGTO highly encourages all retail sector personnel to participate in the workshops actively and equip themselves through training to contribute to Macau tourism industry.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (117.82) for August 2012 increased by 6.33% year-on-year, attributable to rising charges for meals bought away from home and dearer prices of vegetables. For the 12 months ended August 2012, the average Composite CPI increased by 6.46% from the preceding period; the average CPI-A and CPI-B also rose by 6.54% and 6.68% respectively. In comparison with August 2011, notable increase was observed in the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+33.33%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+8.44%); and Housing & Fuels (+8.17%) on account of dearer prices of vegetables and rising charges for meals bought away from home. The CPI-A (117.34) and CPI-B (118.38) increased by 6.86% and 6.48% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI increased by 0.23% month-to-month. Dearer prices for gasoline, vegetables, as well as higher charges for outbound package tours and meals bought away from home drove up the price index of Transport; Recreation & Culture; and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages by 2.23%, 0.74% and 0.56% respectively. On the other hand, price index of Clothing & Footwear and Housing & Fuels dropped by 2.34% and 0.35% upon seasonal sale of Summer clothing and lower prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.25% and 0.23% month-to-month. The average Composite CPI for the first eight months of 2012 increased by 6.36% year-on-year, of which the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+30.12%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+9.22%) registered remarkable increase, while that of Communication decreased by 5.78%. The CPI-A and CPI-B for the first eight months of 2012 rose by 6.58% and 6.60% respectively year-on-year. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
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Consumer Council recently spot-checked 20 local bakeries to compare prices of white bread. In comparison with figures from last year, this year's result showed that minimal price decrease to obvious increase of up to 46 percent were recorded in prices of each 100g of white bread. Consumer Council collected prices of bagged white bread from 20 local bakeries in August and collected samples included packages of 4 slices, 6 slices, 7 slices, and 8 slices. The testing unit commissioned by Consumer Council used precise weighing machine to measure the net weight of packs of 5-piece white bread and calculated the selling price of each 100g of white bread after the weighing process. Test result indicated that prices of each 100g of white bread in the 20 bakeries ranged from $1.77 to $3.56, which reflected a price difference of 101.1 percent. Jim Sai Cake Shop, located at Rua de São Lourenço, recorded the lowest selling price while the highest was recorded in Saint Honore Cake Shop in Areia Preta. The Council further compared prices of white bread recorded this year with the figures from last year's test. Out of the 19 bakeries with comparable figures, 15 bakeries have increased their prices of bagged white bread and the percentage increase ranged from 1 percent to over 46 percent. The highest price increase of 46.3 percent was observed in Pastelaria Honoré located at Rua da Barca, however, 4 bakeries were found to have dropped their prices of each 100g of white bread and the most notable price decrease of 8 percent was recorded in Golden Cake Shop. Meanwhile, samples of bagged white bread from the same bakery were tested for their net weight differences. Testing result revealed that weight difference of bagged white bread from the same bakery varied from 5.1 percent to 36.5 percent. Café Free, located at Avenida Ouvidor Ariaga, recorded the biggest net weight difference. The above-mentioned test result of bread prices is available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo).
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The 24th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest is held on the Macau Tower shorefront during September 8th and October 1st. The fireworks display by "Marutamaya Ogatsu Fireworks Co., Ltd. from Japan", originally scheduled to perform on September 29 (Saturday) at 21:00 is cancelled. At this time slot, a Macau company, " Kat Sao (Macau) Fireworks" will make her display without participating in the contest. The latest fireworks program is available at: http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/documents/img/24th_Fireworks_Program.jpg
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that there were 186 travel agencies operating in 2011, up by 9 compared with 2010. At the end of 2011, a total of 3,379 persons were engaged in travel agencies, an increase of 11% year-on-year. Sales & Other Receipts increased by 17% year-on-year to MOP 5.54 billion. Receipts from Reservation of Tickets (MOP 1.88 billion), Package Tours (MOP 1.38 billion) and Reservation of Rooms (MOP 1.37 billion) together accounted for 84% of the total. Total Expenditure of travel agencies amounted to MOP 5.36 billion, up by 18% year-on-year. Analysed by expenditure items, Purchase of Goods & Services (including tickets, package tours and room reservation) reached MOP 4.46 billion, up by 14% from 2010, of which Purchase of air, train & bus and ferry tickets amounted to MOP 1.85 billion. Besides, Operating Expenses (MOP 455 million) and Compensation of Employees (MOP 445 million) rose by 77% and 21% respectively year-on-year. In 2011, Gross Fixed Capital Formation of travel agencies surged by 236% over 2010 to MOP 200 million on account of acquisition of assets by some travel agencies. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy increased by 10% year-on-year to MOP 619 million.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai, met Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for the Administration Mrs Carrie Lam today to exchange views on strengthening relationship on tourism co-operation. The meeting was held at Santa Sancha, where Mr Chui warmly welcomed Mrs Lam, who was on her first official visit to Macao as Chief Secretary. Mr Chui briefed Mrs Lam on the latest economic development in Macao and important policies to enhance people's livelihood. At the same time, he told Mrs Lam and her entourage that with the support of the Central Government, Macao has put much effort into developing into a world tourism leisure centre and a business co-operating service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Because of this, Macao would have more opportunities to exchange with the Romance language-speaking countries to help boost Macao's diversified development. According to the Pearl River Delta Region Reform and Development Plan, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao could jointly develop as a world tourist destination which may provide new opportunities for these three places, said Mr Chui. He also said that these three places have their own advantages in term of tourism resources which may play a complementary role in regional tourism. Based on the good foundation, these three places may join hands to promote tourism in order to achieve mutual benefit. Mrs Lam said that the National "12th Five-Year Plan" speed up co-operation between these three areas, with the establishment of high-level liaison mechanism which promoted co-operation of the two regions. She said she expected that with the past co-operation foundation, the two regions would deepen tourism promotion and to promote multi-destination travel. Before meeting with the Chief Executive, Mrs Lam also met with the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, at Government Headquarters where they exchanged views on tourism and social welfare issues.
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The Macao Post announced that the reprint label stamp "World Heritage" will be sold in 10 automatic stamp vending machines located at different areas in Macao starting from 9:00a.m. on 9th October, 2012. (please refer to the appendix for details) The above machines will be temporarily suspended for the replacement of reprint label stamp from 8th, October 2012. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. The label stamp "World Heritage" was issued on 31st July, 2008. The reprint label stamp maintains the original design, but with the wording "REIMP 2009" indicating the reprint year at the bottom of the empty selvage.
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Consumer Council continues to expand its work on conducting price survey of specific products and provide consumers a more comprehensive source for price comparisons. Aside from the current 14 categories of specific product, the Council recently included 'biscuits' to its pool. The latest price survey on biscuits was conducted earlier by collecting prices of 8 brands of biscuits from 20 retail outlets and price differences of the same brand sold at different retail spots ranged from 5 to 33 percent. Consumer Council collected 8 brands of biscuits from 20 local retail outlets on 14th September. 'Garden Cream Wafers/200g', which was sold at $7.2 to $9.6, recorded the biggest price difference of 33.3 percent and 'Garden Original Saltine/200g', which was sold at $8.5 to $8.9, observed the smallest difference of 4.7 percent. A general price difference of about 20 to 30 percent was also recorded in products such as 'Mcvitie's Digestive/250g', 'OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies/9x29.4g' and 'Pacific Soda Cracker/200g'. The specific price survey on biscuits is now available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps.
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Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for the Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, is to visit Macao tomorrow at the invitation of the Macao SAR Government. The Government Spokesman Office, in a statement issued today, said Mrs Lam would pay a courtesy call on the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, will meet with Mrs Lam, who is also scheduled to look at tourism, leisure and convention facilities before returning to Hong Kong on the same day.
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Deputy Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes visited Guangzhou and Shanghai to attend China (Guangdong) International Tourism Industry Expo (CITIE2012) and Shanghai Tourism Festival 2012 respectively to promote Macau and the joint tourism of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. MGTO set up a booth around the theme "Touching Moments, Experience Macau" in CITIE2012 and distributed tourism promotion materials. A joint booth for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau was also set up in the Expo to promote the tourism products of the three places among Mainland and overseas buyers. Deputy Director Helena Fernandes and Head of Destination Marketing Department of MGTO, Betty Fok attended this event in Guangzhou on September 14 and promoted Macau tourism to the trade. Secretary of Guangdong Provincial Committee, Wang Yang, the Governor of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Zhu Xiaodan and the Chairman of China National Tourism Administration, Shao Qiwei visited the joint booth of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. CITIE2012 grandly took place in Zone A of China Import & Export Fair Pazhou Complex in Guangzhou during September 14 – 16. Leaders of the People's Government of Guangdong Province and Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province as well as over 200 overseas and domestic guests attended the Expo. CITIE2012 is a national-level expo co-organized by China National Tourism Administration and the People's Government of Guangdong Province. The Expo occupied an area of 100,000 square metres with several thousands of exhibition booths, providing a wider space for exhibiting enterprises. After the Expo, Deputy Director Helena Fernandes visited Shanghai to attend the Opening Ceremony Grand Parade of Shanghai Tourism Festival 2012 on September 15. The Grand Parade took place at the most bustling Huaihai Road in Shanghai. 23 floats and 31 performing teams came from over 20 countries and regions from overseas, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, China to present a fantastic performance in the Grand Parade. Macau's float showed unique features and won the audience's great applause at the show. According to the statistics by the tourism festival's organizing committee, about 500,000 Shanghai citizens, overseas and domestic visitors watched this splendid Opening Ceremony Grand Parade.
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