News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (104.38) for August 2010 increased by 2.55% year-on-year, attributable to the price increase of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages. Analyzed by section of goods and services, Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+6.32%); Recreation & Culture (+6.06%); Clothing & Footwear (+5.88%); Health (+5.43%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+4.88%) and Transport (+3.24%) recorded notable increases on account of dearer prices of gold jewellery, men’s clothing, rice, fresh fish and seafood, vegetables, and airfare, as well as higher charges for outbound package tours, medical services and meals bought away from home. As for other sections, apart from the 9.80% decrease of the price index of Education, reduced charges for mobile phone services caused the price index of Communication to decrease by 3.60%. The CPI-A (103.81) and CPI-B (104.52) for August 2010 increased by 1.97% and 2.78% year-on-year respectively. The Composite CPI for August 2010 decreased by 0.21% month-to-month, with the price indices of Clothing & Footwear and Housing & Fuels falling by 3.27% and 0.26% on account of summer sales of clothing as well as lower price of LPG. However, price index of Recreation & Culture rose by 1.39%, attributable to higher charges for outbound package tours during Summer Holidays. The average Composite CPI for the first eight months of 2010 increased by 2.26% year-on-year. For the 12 months ended August 2010, the average Composite CPI rose by 1.38% from the preceding period. 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.
…

From yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (September 19) the Cross-departmental Working Team sealed one premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally. Two occupants were found on site. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 485 premises were checked, of which 65 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 60 were normal residences. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force (PSP) will continue investigation on unanswered doors, which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. Meanwhile, during investigations to other cases, PSP has found four premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To date, the operations involved more than 522 occupants, among whom 289 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 12 operators, 9 touts, 9 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and 3 occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation (among the three occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation, one has paid the fine). Among the occupants, there were 12 overstayers and 8 illegal immigrants. To help the investigations, when necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
…

Close to a thousand buyers, sellers and media representatives from 60 countries and regions witnessed the successful conclusion to the PATA Travel Mart 2010 (PTM 2010) held in Macau. As Asia Pacific's most important and influential travel contracting and networking show, PTM 2010 took place at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, with an exhibition area of 3,402 sq. meter housing 380 booths. This year, the travel mart welcomed 530-sellers from 295 organizations of 38-source markets, 303-buyers from 269 organizations of 53-source markets as well as 152 media delegates from 13 countries and regions. 28 organizations in Macau joined the travel mart. The 3-day travel mart provided a platform for buyers and sellers to network and to seek business opportunities. The first two days were for trade members and the organizer invited local higher education institutes and tourism industry associations from Hong Kong to visit the mart on the third day. Highlights of PTM 2010 featured the welcome dinner reception hosted by Macau SAR Government, PATA Gold Awards luncheon and presentation ceremony, dinner reception hosted by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (the next PTM host), the show preview of The House of Dancing Water, tours to Macau's world heritage sites and workshops. In addition, PATA also cooperated with the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) and Hong Kong Polytechnic University to organize a full-day seminar, "Human Resources Challenges in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry: Promoting Industry and Academic Collaboration". Immediately following PTM 2010, the PATA Executive Board and PATA Board Meeting was held from September 17 to 19 at the Grand Hyatt Macau. A dinner was held on September 18 at the Macau Tower to welcome the board members, and PATA CEO Gregory Duffell took a first-hand experience of the Macau Tower's Bunjy Jump. PATA Chairman Hiran Cooray, PATA CEO Gregory Duffell, PATA Vice Chairman Joao Manuel Costa Antunes and other board members participated in the meeting. The program included Board Meeting sessions and meetings of different committees. The PATA Executive Board and Board of Directors lead the operation of the association and organize the annual meetings and activities. PATA Founded in 1951, PATA is a non-profit membership association dedicated to building responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. MGTO has been a member of PATA for over half a century since 1958. PATA has currently 800 full members and over 7,000 chapter members around the globe. PATA's membership boasts more than 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, over 50 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. PATA www.PATA.org
…

PATA Grand and Gold Awards winners celebrated their achievements today (Sept 7) at the PATA Gold Awards lunch on the last day of PATA Travel Mart 2010 at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. PATA presented 20 Gold Awards and four Grand Awards at the PATA Gold Awards Lunch and Award Presentation to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of the stakeholders in various tourism industry aspects.
This year, the awards recognized the achievements of 24 organizations and individuals. MGTO is sponsoring, for the 15th consecutive year, the PATA Gold Awards Lunch and Award Presentation. Four Grand Awards are given out to outstanding showcases in marketing, education and training, environment and heritage. This year, the four Grand Awards went to Tourism New Zealand in the marketing category; Banyan Tree Spa Academy in education and training; AlamKulKul Boutique Resort, Bali for environment, and Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in the heritage category respectively. Multiple awards went to Hong Kong Tourism Board, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and Tourism Authority of Thailand. MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes expressed, “We would like to give a big round of applause to the winners of this year's PATA Gold Awards, who have shown excellence and dedication in each of their particular fields. In fact, their achievements are valuable contributions, not only to the travel-and-tourism industry, but also to areas of education and environment as well. The 2011 PATA Gold Awards will open for entries in October, and we strongly encourage our industry stakeholders to take this opportunity to present their outstanding work again.” He pointed out, “Whilst this is the final day of PATA Travel Mart 2010, as our experience tells us, the acquaintances made during PATA events go a long way, and we look forward to meeting many of you again in next year's PATA Travel Mart in Delhi.” The PATA Gold Awards are well-established awards for industry stakeholders that have made outstanding contributions to the development and promotion of travel and tourism across the Asia Pacific region in a responsible and sustainable manner,. The awards, setting industry standards for excellence and innovation, are open to all-comers and not restricted to PATA members. They recognize exceptional achievements in six broad categories: Marketing, Environment, Heritage and Culture, Education and Training, Marketing Media and Travel Journalism. In 2002, MGTO was granted a Grand Award for the first time in the Marketing category with the "Macau Welcomes You Passport Campaign" and in 2007 in the Heritage category with the "Macau World Heritage Year Campaign". In 2008, MGTO received the PATA Gold Award under the category: Travel Advertisement Print Media with “Experience Macau”. MGTO has been sponsoring the PATA Gold Awards lunch and Award Presentation since 1996.
…

To work in line of Macao SAR government’ life time learning policy and to cope with the increasing use of English in all businesses, IFT and Macao Federation of Trade Unions are offering three 1-year English certificate programmes designed for individuals with different English proficiencies and with different career goals. It is hoped that through these courses, occupational language skills in tourism and service related fields can be enhanced, promoting society improvement at large. The three certificate programmes are: 1. English Certificate I - Practical English
To enable absolute and false beginners to develop the ability to cope with simple oral and written communications for everyday use and within a work-related context. 2. English Certificate II - Workplace English
To equip participants with the knowledge and skills to deal with daily administrative tasks and to develop ability to communicate in social travel and work-related contexts with confidence. 3. English Certificate III - Business English
To get participants ready to deal with supervisory tasks using English and interact fluently and confidently in both social and business contexts. After this programme, participants should be able to deal with more complex situations like understanding and producing routine business correspondence and reports. The duration of each certificate is 270 to 343 hours, and includes 6 courses and tutorial sessions for exams. Upon completion of each course, participants will receive a certificate issued by IFT. Upon completion of each certificate, participants will be eligible to take the internationally recognised LCCI Spoken English for Tourism (SEFT) and LCCI English for Business (EFB) public exams. Participants may complete all three stages starting from level 1. For admission, applicants are required to pass an entry test or finish the previous levels of the above programmes. All courses are fully subsidised by Macao SAR through Macao Federation of Trade Unions, admitting a total of 150 students. Besides this programme, Macao Federation of Trade Unions is also a partner of IFT Community Education and Development Programme (CEDP), working together to nurture well-trained professionals for tourism industry, and enhance the general quality of Macao citizens, which in turn facilitates the prosperity and sustainability of the Macao economy.
…

Dr. Anthony Lau, an alumnus of the University of Macau (UM), donated MOP 10 million to the University of Macau Development Foundation (UMDF), with the hope of advancing whole-person education at UM. This has been the largest donation from UM alumni. To show gratitude for Dr. Lau’s generosity, UM will name one of the classroom buildings on the new campus after Dr. Lau. At the cheque presentation ceremony held today (17 September 2010), Dr. Lau presented the dummy cheque to Dr. Tse Chi Wai, Chair of the Executive Committee of UMDF and Chair of the University Council of UM, who received the cheque on behalf of UMDF. UM Rector Wei Zhao said in his speech that, “A university cannot grow without its alumni and community support.” He added that donations from UM alumni “have always been important in driving the University’s pursuit of excellence,” and that “Dr. Lau takes the lead to make another large donation to his alma mater as a means to inspire fellow alumni and students to support the University in its 30th anniversary next year.” In closing, Rector Wei Zhao said that “It is both the University’s hope and Dr. Lau’s hope that his continuous generosity can encourage people including our alumni to support the development of the University.” Dr. Lau has spared no effort to support the development of his alma mater since graduation from the University of East Asia (predecessor of UM). He is former President of the University of Macau (UM) (Hong Kong) Alumni Association. He donated HKD one million to UM on its 25th anniversary. Dr. Lau said that UM has been actively promoting high-quality undergraduate education in recent years, with the aim of developing future leaders for Macao. He said as an alumnus of UM he felt very proud of UM’s progress in teaching and research and was happy to be a part of it. He also encouraged other alumni to donate money and support alumni-themed activities at UM. Dr. Lau now serves as the Chairman of Pacific Air Ltd. He was a founding shareholder and former Chairman and Chief Executive of BALtrans Holdings Ltd, a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The cheque presentation ceremony was followed by a talk “Logistics Path to Entrepreneurship” by Dr. Lau. In the talk Dr. Lau shared with the audience his many years of experiences in the logistics industry. In order to offer more choices for local secondary school graduates and develop well-rounded professionals in various fields to contribute to the economic diversification in Macao, UM plans to establish approximately eight faculties on the new campus, including the existing Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (which will be divided into two separate faculties, Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Arts), and at least one new faculty: Faculty of Life Science and Health.
…

Friday 10 September, 2010 marked the end of the first on-site weeklong seminar for the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV)’s Master of Hospitality Administration (MHA) inaugural class. As part of their graduate degree program, MHA Macao students spend most of their time doing self-directed learning with their faculty via UNLV’s WebCampus platform. However for one week per module, students come together to study in class with their professors from Las Vegas, meet industry partners, tour hospitality properties, and network with university alumni. This week marked the end of the first Seminar Week of UNLV’s MHA Macao inaugural group. UNLV’s Director of Graduate Studies Dr. Pearl Brewer presided over her course of Information Technology and UNLV Singapore Campus’ Dr. Nicholas J. Thomas took charge of his course on Human Resources. Highlights for the students included site visits to the Wynn Macau and Venetian Macau for back-of-house tours and Q&A sessions with senior management staff. Students were also treated to highly interactive lecture and discussion led by the Galaxy Entertainment Group about its pre opening activities for Macao’s newest property to open in 2011. An intensive week of classroom learning, discussions and visits culminated with a final reception with industry partners, UNLV alumni and UNLV faculty at IFT Education Restaurant. For MHA student Beatrice Leong; Assistant Director of Casino Marketing – Slots of MGM MACAU, seminar week was a real highlight of her studies thus far. “This week was such a memorable experience! Not only did it widen my academic knowledge, but the site visits and guest speaker interactions provided the practical industry application about which I have been studying.” For classmate Peggy Wong; Sales Manager for the Venetian Macao, seminar week was a chance to bring the online learning into a physical classroom and bring to life her classmates she sees online daily. “It was so great to meet all of my fellow classmates and it was really a wonderful week together. I know now that while I may be working alone with my textbooks and laptop every night my classmates are nearby for discussions and that I can always count on them!” Fellow classmate Yolanda Lao; Assistant Director of Special Events for the Wynn Macau shared Peggy’s sentiment, “This week has been rewarding and enjoyable with the exposure to all the guest speakers from the industry sharing their experience and insights. It has been a great week for me to meet and network with my classmates and professors who has been working with me online all the time.” UNLV’s Master of Hospitality Administration (MHA) Executive Program targets working professionals within the hospitality field and is being offered in partnership with IFT Macao, a long time hospitality educator and partner of the university. Its flexible program design, combining distance learning and on-site intensive one-week seminars, is a convenient model for industry professionals to maintain their current employment while pursuing an internationally recognized graduate degree. The inaugural group is looking forward to its next seminar week which will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada in December 2010. Background on UNLV and IFT
UNLV has a 50-year history of academic excellence and its graduates can be found in key management positions in leading hotels throughout the world. The Singapore Campus, which opened in August 2006, is UNLV’s first international campus and has a current student population of close to 500 students. UNLV’s Singapore Campus is accredited in the United States and recognized by the Singapore Ministry of Education. IFT, established in 1995, is a public institution of higher education that offers degree and professional programs in a wide range of tourism-related disciplines such as hospitality, tourism business, heritage, events, retail and marketing, leisure and entertainment, sports and recreation, creative and cultural studies, and culinary arts. IFT has received various awards in recognition of its achievement in quality education. In 2008, IFT was awarded the “Medal of Merit for Tourism” by the Macao SAR Government for its contribution to the development of the tourism industry. Contact Information for media interview
For more information or to arrange for interviews with either Dr. Andy Nazarechuk, Dean of UNLV Singapore, or Dr. Fanny Vong, President of IFT Macao, please contact: For UNLV Singapore
Ms. Jenny Weinman
Manager of Graduate Programs
(65) 6332-9538 ext. 610
jennifer.weinman@unlv.edu.sg For IFT Macao
Ms. Frida Law
Senior Public Relations Officer (853) 8598-3182
frida@ift.edu.mo
…

From yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (September 16), the Cross-departmental Working Team sealed two remodeled premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally in a vacant commercial site. MGTO’s Inspection Division joined forces with the Public Security Police Force (PSP) on September 16 to investigate a vacant commercial site on Rua do General Galhardo in response to a complaint, and found two remodeled premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, with seven bedspaces. An occupant, proven to be an overstayer, was found on site and handed over to the police for investigation. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 472 premises were checked, of which 64 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 60 were normal residences. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the PSP will continue investigation on unanswered doors, which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. Meanwhile, during investigations to other cases, PSP has found four premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To help the investigations, when necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. To date, the operations involved a total of 513 occupants, among whom 287 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, with 12 overstayers and eight illegal immigrants. 12 operators, nine touts and nine persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) were seized. Among the three occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation, one has paid the fine. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
…

From yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (September 15) the Cross-departmental Working Team sealed one premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally, and 3 occupants were found on site. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 470 premises were checked, of which 62 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 60 were normal residences. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force (PSP) will continue investigation on unanswered doors, which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. Meanwhile, during investigations to other cases, PSP has found four premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To date, the operations involved more than 512 occupants, among whom 286 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 12 operators, 9 touts, 9 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and 3 occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation. Among the occupants, there were 11 overstayers and 8 illegal immigrants. To help the investigations, when necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
…

Chief Executive of Macau SAR Chui Sai On presided over the opening ceremony of PATA Travel Mart 2010 today (Sept 15) at the Cotai Expo of the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U, Chief of Cabinet of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cecilia Cheung, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office João Manuel Costa Antunes, PATA Chairman Hiran Cooray, PATA CEO Gregory Duffell and PATA Secretary and Treasurer Anthony Wong. PATA and MGTO held a media briefing after the opening ceremony to introduce PATA Travel Mart 2010. Director Antunes also presented the latest information on Macau's tourism industry as well as the destination's tourism products and facilities. PATA Chairman Cooray expressed, “It gives me much pleasure to welcome all PTM delegates this year, to the colourful and culturally rich city of Macau, SAR. I am happy to see that we have a positive response from the industry for PTM2010. We can assure you of valuable industry gleanings that you will take back with you. We are also looking ahead to the coming year, which will be a grand celebration for PATA to celebrate our 60 years of glory and success. Your participation and involvement will add infinite value.” MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes said that being the first time for Macau to host Asia Pacific's premier travel trade show which gathers close to 1000 delegates from around the world, we believe PTM2010 will be a landmark on Macau's road in the development of our MICE industry as well as a defining moment of our cooperation with PATA in contributing towards the progress of the tourism industry in the region. He added that as host city of PTM2010, Macau will make sure that participants will not only benefit from the business and networking platform of the event, but will also have the chance to experience Macau's business and leisure tourism facilities, feel the unique charm of 'The Historic Centre of Macau', and see how Macau is transforming itself into a global centre of tourism and leisure. As Asia Pacific's foremost travel contracting and networking show, the PATA Travel Mart 2010 takes place from September 15 to 17 at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel and is expected to attract a thousand delegates and guests. The 3-day travel mart provides a platform for 900 buyers and sellers to network and seek business opportunities. The first two days are for trade members and the organizer will invite local higher education institutes to visit the mart on the third day. Today (Sept 15) a workshop on ‘Designing Dream Experiences’ is held, and the City of Dreams have invited delegates to a show preview of the House of Dancing Water. Founded in 1951, PATA is a non-profit membership association dedicated to building responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. MGTO has been a member of PATA for over half a century since 1958. PATA has currently 800 full members and over 7,000 chapter members around the globe. PATA's membership boasts more than 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, over 50 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. PATA Chapter is the foundation of the Association with close to 40 chapters all over the world, of which PATA Macau Chapter was set up in 1983 and it has over 70 members at present. There has been a close tie between Macau and PATA. Between 1980 and 2002, PATA conducted 5 task force projects to provide guidelines and recommendations for tourism development in Macau. These projects include "Macau - A study of Tourism Development" in 1980 regarding the balance between heritage preservation and tourism development; "Macau Education Task Force" in 1990 concerning the overall education and training framework to meet short and long term manpower needs; "Macau Tourism in Transition" in 1994 pointing to the development of a MICE destination; "Macau Tourism Marketing - A new Focus for the Millennium" in 1996 about the setting up of overseas representation offices; and "A study of the Future of Macau's Tourism and its International Airport in the Context of the Pearl River Delta Region" in 2002 regarding market diversification and interrelationship between the aviation network and marketing promotion.
MGTO has been actively participating in the tourism meetings and activities held by PATA and since 1996, MGTO has been supporting the PATA Gold Awards, so as to promote Macau tourism.
In 2005, the 54th PATA Annual Conference was successfully held in Macau and its MICE industry then entered a new era.
…