News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals in package tours increased by 23.7% year-on-year to 809,591 in October 2012. Visitors from Mainland China (589,018) increased by 24.3%, with 244,185 coming from Guangdong Province; besides, those from Taiwan, China (73,901) and the Republic of Korea (38,958) increased by 66.1% and 61.2% respectively. On the contrary, visitors from Hong Kong (31,960) and Japan (18,267) decreased by 1.4% and 2.4% respectively. In the first ten months of 2012, visitors in package tours (7,381,059) increased by 24.4% year-on-year to account for 31.8% of the total visitor arrivals. Outbound residents in package tours soared by 98.7% year-on-year to 36,632 in October 2012. The most popular tour itineraries were Mainland China (76.7% of total); the Republic of Korea (5.9%); and Taiwan, China (5.3%), with 18,885 travelling to Guangdong Province. In the first ten months of 2012, residents travelling in package tours totalled 336,785, up by 64.0% year-on-year. Meanwhile, outbound residents travelling under own arrangements using services of travel agencies increased by 23.3% year-on-year to 74,424 in October 2012. The main destinations were Mainland China (49.6% of total); Hong Kong (24.1%); and Taiwan, China (14.1%). In the first ten months of 2012, residents travelling under such arrangements increased by 32.6% year-on-year to 706,461. There were 100 hotels and guesthouses operating at the end of October 2012, providing 26,050 rooms, an increase of 3,750 (+16.8%) year-on-year, of which guest rooms of 5-star hotels accounted for 63.8%. In October 2012, the hotels and guesthouses received 787,825 guests, up by 10.3% year-on-year; the average length of stay decreased by 0.17 night to 1.4 nights. Occupancy rate of hotels and guesthouses stood at 80.9%, down by 0.8 percentage point; occupancy rate of the hotels was 81.4%, with 5-star hotels leading at 82.7%. Number of guests increased by 11.3% year-on-year to 7,803,299 in the first ten months of 2012; occupancy rate of hotels and guesthouses stood at 82.3%, down by 0.7 percentage point year-on-year. From January to October 2012, visitor-guests accounted for 64.9% of the total number of overnight visitors, higher than the 61.6% in the same period of 2011.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP131.8 billion (USD16.51 billion) at the end of November 2012. The reserves fell by 1.5% or MOP2.0 billion from the revised value of MOP133.9 billion (USD16.77 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-November 2012 represented 19 times the currency in circulation or 146.9% of Pataca M2 at end-October 2012. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca, a gauge of the domestic currency's exchange rates against the currencies of Macao's major trading partners, rose by 0.22 points month-to-month and 0.95 points year-on-year to 97.29 in November 2012. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
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The Civil Aviation Administration of China, the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong SAR and the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR met in Macao in these two days for the 6th Joint Certification Management Steering Committee Meeting to update each other the development of the tripartite projects on mutual acceptance of aircraft certificate of airworthiness, mutual acceptance of aircraft modification and repair design, unified airworthiness certification and so on. The three parties also exchanged ideas on extending cooperation in the future. The 6th Joint Certification Management Steering Committee Meeting was held on 12 and 13 December 2012 in Macao. In the two-day event, the three aeronautical authorities updated each other the latest development of the joint projects between mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, including the mutual acceptance of aircraft certificate of airworthiness, the mutual acceptance of aircraft modification and repair design, the unified airworthiness certification and so on. On the aspect of aircraft certificate of airworthiness, the facilitation procedures for the transfer of aircraft registry, which is the second phase of the project, has been in force for more than one year and was welcomed by the operators. The three sides concluded the feedback from the operators and exchanged their experience on the implementation. The respective implementation procedure was renewed and signed by the three parties in the 6th Meeting; on the aspect of aircraft modification and repair design, the respective cooperation agreement is now pending the approval of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and is expected to be signed and implemented in the beginning of next year. The project will enhance the efficiency and the quality of work in aircraft modification and repair by the operators; on the aspect of unified airworthiness regulation, the three sides agreed to work to their best extent to reach consensus on airworthiness standards and approval procedures, the measure of which is expected to facilitate the free transfer of aircraft between the three places. The three parties also discussed how they could extend their cooperation in the future. Some time ago this year, the three sides held discussions about cooperation on the airworthiness of aircraft fuel. In this meeting, the three aeronautical authorities continued to hold discussions on this agenda item. Macao presented their intention to invite aircraft fuel experts from the mainland to visit Macao regularly for joint inspection on the airworthiness of aircraft fuel. Apart from this agenda item, the three sides exchanged views on how to best carry out the unified certification procedures and agreed that they would first set up a working group to work out the unified certification procedures for aviation products manufactured by foreign countries. Furthermore, the three parties will establish cooperation in the future on the training of personnel for the certification of training systems. The three aeronautical authorities commenced their certification management cooperation since 2007 for the objective of sharing resources, reducing redundant inspections and enhancing the healthy development of aviation safety.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On will pay a duty visit to Beijing on 20-22 December, it was announced today. In Beijing, Mr Chui will meet state leaders and report on the recent developments in Macao and his policy blueprints for next year, according to an announcement by the Government Spokesperson Office. Government officials who accompany Mr Chui's visit include Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Alexis Tam Chon Weng; Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms Wallis O Lam; Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Victor Chan Chi Ping; Director of the Office of the Macao SAR in Beijing, Ms Hong Wai; Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Daniel Fung Sio Weng; and Adviser of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Kou Chin Hung.
While Mr Chui is away, the Secretary for Economic and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, will be acting Chief Executive.
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on seasonings. Survey result indicated that the difference in price of the 13 surveyed products ranged from 15 percent to 68 percent. Consumers are advised to check with the survey data in comparison of the price range of the same brand of seasonings. Consumer Council collected 13 brands of seasonings from 20 retail outlets on 7th December. Survey result showed that price differences of the same brand of seasonings at different retail spots ranged from 15.4% to 68.4% respectively. 'Kimlan Light Soy Sauce/590ml', which was sold at $9.8 to $16.5, recorded the greatest price difference of 68.37 percent. Prices of 'Tai Yang Hua Brand Table Salt/1lb' also differed for up to 60 percent. In comparison with October's data, the current survey revealed minimal changes in retail prices of seasonings. Obvious changes were observed only in 'Lee Kum Kee Soy Sauce/500ml', which recorded price decreases of up to 16.3 percent in 6 retail outlets, and in 'Knorr Chicken Powder/273g', which observed price increases of up to 13.1 percent in 9 retail outlets. Survey result also showed that selling prices of some surveyed products in branches under the same supermarket chain were different. Consumers are advised to check with the survey data to make price comparisons. The specific price survey on seasonings is now available on the Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The 38th National Congress of the Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies (APAVT) was held December 6 to 9, at the Portuguese historical city of Coimbra, with a Day dedicated to Macau, under the partnership with APAVT as Favorite Destination for 2012. Among the promotions activities organized by Macau Government Tourist Office to celebrate the Macau Day, held on December 8, there was a Macanese food lunch offered to the more than 400 congress participants and guests, including Coimbra City Hall president João Paulo Barbosa de Melo, Portugal Center Region Tourism president Pedro Machado, APAVT president Pedro Costa Ferreira, TAP vice-president Luiz Mor, the Macau Special Administrative Region Office in Lisbon head Raimundo do Rosário, and the Macau Tourism Promotion and Information Center in Portugal coordinator Rodolfo Faustino. On the Macau Day guests were greeted by Macau university students doing Chinese calligraphy and drawing demonstrations, and Dragon Dance exhibitions performed by the She-Si Dragon Team, from Oporto.
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on tissue papers. Survey result showed that a price difference of about 16 to 20 percent was recorded for the same product sold in different retail outlets. Consumer Council conducted a price check on 12 brands of tissue papers from 24 supermarkets and drugstores on 5th December and prices of the same product sold at different retail outlets ranged from 15.14 to 48.09 percent. In comparison with October's data, 7 out of all surveyed brands recorded no change in price, 'Andrex Bathroom Tissue (3ply)/10pcs', which recorded price decrease in several spots, was sold at $36.6 to $42.2 this time, which amounted to a price difference of 15.30 percent. A general price difference of about 16 to 20 percent was recorded for other surveyed brands of tissue papers. Consumers are reminded to check the survey and make practical price comparisons. The specific price survey on tissue papers is now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Educational Restaurant of Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) is honourably selected as Bib Gourmand in 2013 MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong Macau. This symbolises that the Restaurant has continuously made progress after being recommended by MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong Macau for 4 consecutive years since 2009. The internationally recongised selection indicates that the Michelin inspectors' favourites for good value and the Restaurant offer quality cooking for $300 or less (price of a 3 course meal excluding drinks). IFT Educational Restaurant is a training unit operated by IFT. The Restaurant features an unique selection of traditional Macanese and Portuguese dishes with a modern flair that are not to be found elsewhere. Together with the superb service offered by our students and one of the finesse selections of Portuguese wines, guests will experience what true Macanese hospitality and service is all about. Situated on the historic hilltop of Mount Mong-Há, the Restaurant is embraced by greeneries in the bustling city where guests can enjoy an unforgettable quintessential dining experience with tranquility. IFT encourages Macao's future hoteliers to put theories into practice and supports their endeavours to serve guests at international standards. What makes the Restaurant unique is that guests can feel the enthusiasm and hospitality of the students cultivated by this internationally recognised tourism institute, also with the great contribution from our gifted kitchen team for their coaching and management role in the Restaurant. To extend the meaningful values, guests' patronage to the Restaurant is an incentive for our students to aspire to be the best hospitality professionals for the future tourism development of Macao. IFT Educational Restaurant is open to the public from Mondays to Fridays between 1230 to 2230, offering a variety of menus from lunch and high tea to happy hour and dinner, plus dinner buffets on every Friday. For details, please visit http://www.ift.edu.mo/EN/RESTAURANT/Home/Index/239.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao, the Macau Insurers' Association, The Macau Insurance Agents and Brokers Association and the Federation of Macau Professional Insurance Intermediaries will jointly organize an insurance exhibition on December 9, 2012 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Plaza Tap Seac. The exhibition, which adopts the main theme "Protection Means Happy Life", aims at promoting awareness of sense of safety on the part of the general public. Seminars, placard display and games are the focal point of the insurance exhibition. Seminars on health and medical insurance, occupational accident and employees' compensation insurance, motor insurance and life care education will be conducted. Doctor Chao Wai Man from Hospital Kiang Wu and Mr. Tom So from the insurance sector will introduce matters relating to coronary disease and information concerning medical insurance. Ms. Lam Im Keng from the Labour Services Bureau and Mr. Pierre Fong from the insurance sector will introduce knowledge relating to reporting of occupational accidents and the related insurance compensation. Mr. Hong Seng Fok from the insurance sector will introduce topics related to third party liability insurance. The insurance related placard display and games will impart insurance knowledge, work safety and transportation safety messages and the related insurance products via amusement. At the end of the exhibition, Mr. Frank Ip, President of the Policy Donation Programme of Life Care Movement will share with the audience the missions and meaning of life care education activities. Basic health check services will be provided by Macau Red Cross. The Monetary Authority of Macao, the Labour Services Bureau, the Transport Bureau, the Macau Insurers' Association, the Macau Insurance Agents and Brokers Association, the Federation of Macau Professional Insurance Intermediaries, the Macau Institute of Financial Services and Life Care Movement will also put up game booths to answer public enquiries relating to insurance matters. Prizes will be awarded in the process.
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Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) organized a delegation comprising about 200 members to visit Macau in order to enhance mutual cooperation. The delegation visited the latest tourism facilities and met Macau travel trade for exchange, consolidating relations between Hong Kong and Macau tourism sectors for tourism industry development. Chairman of TIC, Michael Wu led the delegation to Macau which comprises heads and supervisors of over 80 travel agencies in Hong Kong. The delegation visited various hotels in Sands Cotai Central today (December 7). Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) hosted a luncheon for the delegation and set up an exchange platform for Hong Kong and Macau trade; while TIC members serve as the industry partners with Macau travel trade, MGTO encourages TIC to continue to support and strengthen the cooperation between Hong Kong and Macau. MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes, some members of Tourism Development Committee and Macau trade representatives attended the luncheon. Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong was founded in 1978 to undertake the significant mission of regulating outbound and inbound travel agencies. The council consists of 8 association members and some 1,500 member agents.
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