News

The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP130.3 billion (USD16.31 billion) at the end of April 2012. The reserves rose by 1.2% or MOP1.6 billion from the revised value of MOP128.8 billion (USD16.10 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-April 2012 represented 20 times the currency in circulation or 163.2% of Pataca M2 at end-March 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, fell by 0.05 points month-to-month but rose by 1.04 points year-on-year to 88.19 in April 2012. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
發放日期 / Data de divulgação / Release Date: 15/05/2012
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Hotel Management Year 2 students of Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) organised the 2012 Macau Charity Gala Dinner "Night of Shanghai" on 11 May at IFT Educational Restaurant, aiming to raise fund for Action Oasis. The event allows students to put their theory into practice and experience "Real Life" management situations. It helped to develops and expands their management, supervision, planning, preparation, communication as well as guest contact skills, build confidence, creativity and motivation, enrich food and beverage knowledge and their ability to make sound effective decisions. The event is supported by Macau Government Tourist Office, local hotels and industry partners. The theme of the Charity Gala Dinner is "Night of Shanghai", which was held at IFT Educational Restaurant on 11 May, 1900. Shanghainese cuisine was served with traditional Chinese music and magic show. Highlight of the dinner was Charity Auction of top grade Pu'er Tea and wines. All surpluses will be donated to the Action Oasis, which serves as the charity fund for providing the poor children in Mainland China the opportunity to study. Charity information: "Action Oasis (2012) – Giving Mainland Children Schooling Opportunities" is a fund raising campaign organised by The Chinese Educators' Association of Macao and co-organised by IFT along with other associations and universities. Its aim is to provide financial support to poor children who cannot afford an education in western provinces of Mainland China that suffer from desertification.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that visitor arrivals in package tours surged by 51.1% year-on-year to 754,163 in March 2012. Visitors from Mainland China (531,096) increased by 45.8%, with 174,477 coming from Guangdong Province; besides, those from Taiwan, China (70,556); Hong Kong (35,765); the Republic of Korea (28,449); and Japan (23,402) soared by 163.7%, 87.0%, 42.9% and 20.3% year-on-year respectively. In the first quarter of 2012, visitors in package tours totalled 2,050,476, up by 45.6% year-on-year to account for 29.5% of the total visitor arrivals, higher than the 21.9% from the same period of 2011. Outbound residents travelling in package tours increased markedly by 58.4% year-on-year to 25,410 in March 2012. The most popular tour itineraries were Mainland China (80.1% of total); Taiwan, China (4.6%); and Hong Kong (3.9%), with 14,487 travelling to Guangdong Province. In the first quarter of 2012, residents travelling in package tours totalled 73,578, up by 33.8% year-on-year. Meanwhile, outbound residents travelling under own arrangements using services of travel agencies increased significantly by 68.2% year-on-year to 69,595 in March 2012; the main destinations were Mainland China (53.2% of total); Hong Kong (19.5%); and Taiwan, China (15.3%). In the first quarter of 2012, those travelling under such arrangements surged by 68.3% year-on-year to 212,906. Number of available guest rooms of the 95 hotels and guest-houses totalled 22,272 at the end of March 2012, an increase of 2,143 rooms (+10.6%) year-on-year, with those of the 5-star hotels accounting for 63.7% of the total. Hotels and guest-houses received 760,416 guests in March 2012, an increase of 12.2% year-on-year; the average length of stay decreased by 0.08 night to 1.4 nights. The average occupancy rate of hotels and guest-houses stood at 85.0%, up by 3.6 percentage points year-on-year; average occupancy rate of the hotels was 85.6%, with 4-star hotels reaching 89.5%. Number of guests increased by 13.6% year-on-year to 2,180,685 in the first quarter of 2012; average occupancy rate of hotels and guest-houses stood at 83.2%, up by 2.2 percentage points year-on-year. In the first quarter of 2012, visitor-guests accounted for 64.3% of the total number of overnight visitors, higher than the 61.5% from the same period of 2011.
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Following a notice issued by the China National Tourism Administration, Macao's Tourism Crisis Management Office today urged Macao residents to avoid travelling to the Philippines unless necessary. Macao residents may call the 24-hour Tourism Hotline at (853) 2833 3000 for assistance if necessary. According to the tourism industry there is no Macao tour groups currently in the Philippines. However there is no information regarding individual travellers. The full announcement of the China National Tourism Administration is as follows: "According to media reports, on the 11th of May a large-scale anti-Chinese procession is scheduled to take place in the Philippines. The Philippines is one of the travel destinations for Chinese citizens. To ensure the travel safety of Chinese tourists, the China National Tourism Administration reminds that Chinese citizens should avoid travelling to the Philippines for tourism purposes unless necessary. Tours groups and tourists in the Philippines should comply with local laws and regulations, strengthen security precautions and ensure their own safety. In the event of emergency, please take appropriate measures timely and contact the consulates and embassies timely for assistance." For assistance, Chinese citizens may contact the consulates and embassies by duty hotlines: Embassy in the Philippines (Tel) 0063-9178972695; Consulate-General in Cebu (Tel) 0063-9175495614; Consulate in Laoag (Tel) 0063-9178051226."
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Owing to the delay in custom's inspection on mails/cargo in Nigeria, Macao Post announced that mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet, Parcel and EMS) from Macao to Nigeria are subject to delay until further notice. Thank you for your kind attention.
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The Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre is not merely a unique construction but one of the most important landmarks and tourist attractions in Macao. Every year, it welcomes an average of some 100,000 visitors and tourists. To ensure service quality and to maintain the facilities in good condition, the Macao SAR Government began to undertake large-scale repair and maintenance works in October last year. After six months, the work is now nearly finished and the new-look Centre is scheduled to re-open to the public on Saturday 12th May. Some new facilities will gradually open following the re-opening. Located along the bay for more than a decade, the Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre is inevitably affected by various environmental factors. Water once leaked from both the inner and outer walls of the arched base, resulting in mildew, and some facilities fell into disrepair. Furthermore, the large bronze Kun Iam statue was coated in dust having stood erect in the air for many years, and appeared old and lack-lustre, affecting not only its appearance but its public opening. Following a comprehensive evaluation, the government decided to undertake large-scale repair and maintenance works, renewing both interior and exterior facilities. Closed since October for such works, comprehensive repair and maintenance of the bronze statue, maintenance and renewal of the interior and exterior structure and various facilities inside the arched base under the statue plus cleaning of the statue were instigated in order to ensure the safety and appearance of the construction. Themed around religion, the upper level of the arched base is a showroom, whose painted dome is painted with the characters and divine words of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, etc. More pleasing to the eye following the repairs, a richer religious ambience is now evident. Souvenirs and publications of the Cultural Affairs Bureau and Macao Museum are available for sale at the small sales counter located on this floor, while the lower level is a space for contemplation, enabling visitors to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. To the side is a small library themed around religion, exhibiting books about religion and various kinds of philosophy. During the repair and maintenance work, the air-conditioning system of the whole construction was renewed. More bookshelves have been added to the library so that more books on religion and philosophy are available for reading and research purposes. The new sound system covers the entire construction and the causeway: pleasant music - coupled with the beautiful surrounding bay environment - projects a quiet and peaceful sensation, encouraging people to linger. The Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre opens daily from 10:00am to 6:00pm, and is closed on Fridays. For more information about opening hours, please call (853) 2835 7911 during office hours or visit the Macao Museum website at www.macaumuseum.gov.mo or Cultural Affairs Bureau at www.icm.gov.mo.
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Pacific Asia Association (PATA) Annual Conference was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in April, 2012. IFT delegation led by President Dr. Fanny Vong announced the establishment of PATA Macau Student Chapter during the conference. The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a membership association acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. In partnership with PATA's private and public sector members, it enhances the sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism to, from and within the region. In 2011, IFT, with the support of local industry partners, was elected as Chairman of the PATA Macau, committed to facilitate exchanges of ideas, forge corporation among members and build a better future for our region. IFT, being a higher education institution, quests to encourage the involvement of undergraduates and young tourism professionals to the future tourism development. During the inauguration ceremony, Chairlady of PATA Macau Student Chapter Ariel Lin, year 3 student of IFT's bachelor degree programme in Tourism Business Management, spoke on behalf of the Chapter stressing how Macao students, as a new generation and energy to the tourism industry learn from and contribute to the PATA as well as the tourism industry as a whole. The PATA Macau Student Chapter with students of IFT, University of Macao and Macao University of Science and Technology as core members while students of Macao Polytechnic Institute are also heavily involved. The aims of the chapter are:
- To provide forum for student chapter members to contribute to and share about tourism knowledge and trends with all interested parties and potential young professionals;
- To assemble student representatives of PATA at regular intervals to facilitate member integrity and closer working relationship to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of the student chapter's management;
- To implement specific PATA and PATA Macau Chapter events and projects in compliance with the goals and objectives of PATA; - To obtain opinions of student chapter members on any PATA and the PATA Macau Chapter initiatives. IFT looks forward to the establishment of Student Chapter in strengthening the link of student cooperation among local higher institutions, encouraging youngster to speak out their creative opinion and nurturing future tourism professionals.
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The annual Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference will take place in Macao on Tuesday (15 May), with the participation of Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On and the Governor of Guangdong, Mr Zhu Xiaodan, and leading officials from both governments. According to a statement by the Office of the Government Spokesperson, during the meeting at the Government Headquarters, Mr Chui and Mr Zhu are expected to review the results of various co-operation projects in the previous 12 months and discuss means to strengthen co-operation in different areas. Officials from Macao and Guangdong are expected to sign a number of agreements after the meeting. After the conference, Mr Chui and Mr Zhu are expected to meet the press.
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on canned foods. Survey result showed that retail prices of the 11 surveyed brands were similar to those recorded in March. Consumers may check the relevant data on the 'Specific Product Price Information Platform' on the Council's website. Consumer Council conducted its latest specific price survey on canned foods on 8th May, surveying 11 brands of canned foods from 21 retail outlets. In comparison with last time's data, prices of canned foods remained stable. 4 out of the 11 surveyed brands recorded no change in price, others recorded minimal to about 10% of price increase or decrease. The specific price survey on canned foods also revealed that selling prices of the same brand of canned food sold in different outlets varied. In the current survey, the price discrepancy rate of 'Narcissus Brand Spiced Pork Cubes (142g)' had srinked by over 10% comparing to last time's data; the mentioned product recorded a price difference of around 10% in this survey, ranging from MOP13.00 to MOP14.50. Both 'Porthos Sardines in Olive Oil (125g)' and 'Swanson Clear Chicken Broth (250ml)', though recorded no change in their selling prices in retail stores, revealed obvious price discrepancies of about 50%. Consumers may access the relevant resources on the 'Specific Product Price Information Platform' on the Council's website and make price comparisons. For enquiry, please call 89889315.
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The Consul General of the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong, Mr. Paul Tighe, visited the Identification Services Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region (hereafter called "Macao SAR") and met with the Director, Mr. Isaac Ieng Kit Lai today (10th May 2012). Mr. Tighe informed the Macao SAR Government that with effect from 1st July 2012 the government of Australia will introduce simplifying measures to facilitate visa applications for the Macao residents to Australia in accordance with the subsequent negotiations and agreement reached between the two parties. The measure is called "Label-Free Visa Arrangements" to target on the Macao SAR Passport holders, the Macao SAR Travel Permit holders and all other Macao residents, regardless of their country of origin. This measure applies to all visa types, including tourist, business, student and migration visas. Once the measure takes effect, applicants will no longer need to lodge their applications in person at the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong nor send their original copy of travel documents to Hong Kong. Upon the application lodgement with supporting documents followed by the assessment being completed, applicants will be sent a letter by post or by email confirming the decision. For other types of visa applications, procedures remain unchanged. Physical visa labels will not be affixed in the travel document of the applicants under the new "Label-Free Visa Arrangements". Visa information is instead recorded in Australia's immigration system database. These computerized records are available to airline staff at the airports for verification of those flights' check-in passengers bound for Australia. Applicants should print out or keep the reply of the assessment result and present it if needed. The Macao SAR Government and the Australian Government have been maintaining strong levels of cooperation in areas such as immigration, trade, law enforcement and others. Both parties perceive that the facilitating measures will continue to strengthen the ease of travellers and therefore to boost in the tourism, and socio-culture between the two places. In the year of 2011, there were 1485 holders of Macao SAR travel documents applying for various types of visas at the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong. For more information on the application of visas to Australia, please visit the website of the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong www.hongkong.china.embassy.gov.au.
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