News

Owing to the floods spreading to new areas in Thailand, Macao Post announced that all mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet, Parcel and EMS) from Macao to the following additional postcode areas are subject to delay until further notice.
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Owing to strike action taken by transport workers in Australia, Macao Post announced that mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet, Parcel and EMS) from Macao to Australia are subject to delay until further notice.
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The new academic year of 2011/12 began with a warm welcome of 478 students joining the IFT family. To mark the commencement of this semester and to gain a better understanding of the tourism industry, the Institute has the honour to invite Eng. Joao Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and Ms. Cecilia Tse, Head of Communication and External Relations Department of MGTO to introduce the development of Macao's tourism industry and discuss professional attributes leading to a successful career.
Eng. Antunes and Ms. Tse enlightened the freshmen with information including current development of the industry, visitation projections, tourists' profiles, MGTO's promotion strategy, and upcoming MICE activities, etc. Students were set on a good start and expected to make good use of these information in their studies.
Dr. Fanny Vong, President of IFT purposely reiterated the importance of fostering high standard of personal qualities throughout students' studies in IFT. Tourism and services industry is a people business, full of 'human touch points', required individuals with self-cultivation, positive attitude, proper grooming and attire, professional ethics and 'just right' services to create memorable experience to customers. IFT has always focused on nurturing students within these parameters to prepare them for future challenges in this dynamic industry.
The event ended with an interactive Q&A session with guest speakers and student counsellor, where students enthusiastically asked macro questions regarding the future of Macao's tourism industry, Macao SAR Government's strategy in further developing the tourism and gaming industry, as well as personal questions like career planning and choices.
IFT regularly invites well-known scholars, industry leaders and managers to host seminars or to share their experiences with students, bringing best practices and updated trends of the industry to the study environment.
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IFT invited two chefs from the Spanish fine dining restaurant – Restaurant Mugaritz to do a professional demonstration on 21st September. Restaurant Mugaritz is a two-star Michelin restaurant and ranking the 3rd in San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants 2011 List. Executive chefs of hotels and chefs of restaurants recommended by Michelin in Macao were invited to attend the demonstration. The objectives of the demonstration are to provide an opportunity to local and overseas professionals for communications and to help local industry to absorb various cooking theories and techniques to further enhance the development of the industry. In addition to the recommendation of Michelin, Restaurant Mugaritz ranked the 3rd in San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants 2011 List. This annual award is organised by Restaurant Magazine and it welcomes the 10th anniversary in 2011. It is acknowledged as the Oscar in the world of food and beverage. The results of the award were voted by a panel composed of more than 800 experts in the industry. The panel members included chefs, critics of food and beverage and owners of restaurant from over 20 countries and regions. The two chefs came along with the newly created products and recipes including natural ingredients of seeds and herbals. Through the flexible application of ingredients and the creativity and efforts of the Mugaritz chefs, the participants were shown over dozens of newly created dishes and their recipes. Those dishes were easily cooked but with full of surprises. They will certainly bring the guests a brand new sensory experience. Mugaritz Restaurant has a group of international chefs who combine the application of ingredients of different culinary cultures and their superb cooking techniques to make Mugaritz Restaurant famous and unique. The quality of food and service are always beyond expectation in the restaurant. IFT are happy to be the platform for exchanging ideas among local professionals and those from other countries and regions. Special cross-over like this is an example of IFT's endeavour to bring in new culinary elements to Macao and to encourage ideas exchange with international prestigious restaurants and institutions. Through this it is believed that the local arts in culinary will be enhanced to a new level.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (110.80) for August 2011 increased by 6.15% year-on-year. The increment was fuelled by higher charges for meals bought away from home, as well as rising prices of gasoline and gold jewellery. For the 12 months ended August 2011, the average Composite CPI increased by 4.89% from the previous period; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 4.56% and 5.05% respectively. In comparison with August 2010, notable increase was observed in the price index of Transport (+10.64%); Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+10.34%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+8.79%); and Clothing & Footwear (+8.49%) on account of dearer prices of gasoline, gold jewellery, fresh fish, fresh pork and women's clothing, as well as rising charges for meals bought away from home. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 13.98% year-on-year upon lowered charges for internet service. The CPI-A (109.81) and CPI-B (111.18) for August 2011 increased by 5.78% and 6.37% respectively. The Composite CPI for August 2011 decreased by 0.04% month-to-month, of which the price index of Communication and Clothing & Footwear fell by 6.22% and 2.24%, respectively. However, price index of Recreation & Culture; and Transport rose by 0.97% and 0.82% month-to-month upon higher charges for outbound package tours and dearer prices of airfare. The CPI-A for August 2011 decreased by 0.19% whereas CPI-B increased slightly by 0.01% month-to-month. The average Composite CPI for the first eight months of 2011 increased by 5.37% year-on-year; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.02% and 5.55% respectively. The Composite CPI, with base year April 2008-March 2009, 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 released its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' and specific price survey on canned foods dated 15th September. Prices of rice were stable and cooking oil tended to increase in price. Significant price differences were observed in 'Ma Ling Premium Ham Luncheon Meat (340g)', which had a difference of almost 60 per cent in price; selling prices of 'Johnson's Baby Powder (500g)' and 'Cool Distilled Water (750ml)' in different outlets also varied more than double respectively. Among over 260 surveyed product samples in the current 'Supermarket Price Survey', 95 samples, mainly cooking oil and canned foods, recorded increase in prices and over half of the total items recorded no change or decrease in prices. Average prices of 16 out of the 22 surveyed cooking oil samples had risen by 0.1 to 8 per cent. For canned foods, 'Campbells' Cream of Chicken (305g)', which showed significant price increase in the previous survey, now recorded an average price drop of 14 per cent. Price increases of around 0.5 to 18 per cent were also observed in other canned food brands, 'Ma Ling Premium Ham Luncheon Meat (340g)' had increased notably in price for up to 30 per cent in both the supermarket and specific price survey. Price discrepancies were noted in many retail outlets selling the same brand of products, consumers are therefore advised to check with the various reports available online on Consumer Council's website. Top on the list of products with the most price differences was 'Johnson's Baby Powder (500g)', with a price difference of over 130 per cent, followed by 'Cool Distilled Water (750ml)', with a price difference of 109 per cent. Both 'Supermarket Price Survey' and specific price survey report on canned foods are now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo). Reports are 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. For inquiries, please call 8988 9315
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that there were 177 travel agencies operating in 2010, up by 8 from 2009. At the end of 2010, a total of 3,034 persons were engaged in travel agencies, an increase of 6% year-on-year. Attributable to a continuous increase in inbound package tours and outbound travel of Macao residents, business performance of the travel agencies saw remarkable growth in 2010, of which Sales & Other Receipts soared by 33% year-on-year to MOP 4.74 billion, including receipts of MOP 51.91 million (1% of total) from on-line business. Expenditure of travel agencies totalled MOP 4.55 billion, up by 34% over 2009. Analyzed by expenditure items, Purchase of Goods & Services (including tickets, package tours and room reservation) reached MOP 3.92 billion, up significantly by 38% from 2009, of which Purchase of air, train and ferry tickets amounted to MOP 1.59 billion. Besides, Operating Expenses (MOP 257 million) and Compensation of Employees (MOP 368 million) rose by 14% and 10% respectively over 2009. In 2010, Gross Fixed Capital Formation of the travel agencies surged by 55% over 2009 to MOP 59.57 million. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy increased by 10% year-on-year to MOP 562 million.
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In order to strengthen the knowledge of Macao youngsters on "One country, two systems", foreign affairs, as well as consular protection and consular services, a short film competition for all Macao secondary school students on "Consular Protection and Consular Services" will be jointly held by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Identification Services Bureau. Organizer of this competition has got strong support from the Chinese Educators Association of Macao and the Union of Catholic Schools of Macao. Through creating, planning and shooting short films, the organizer expects Macao secondary school students to deepen their knowledge on consular protection and consular services, and thus has a better understanding on the relation between consular protection and themselves.
The above short film competition is opened to all full-time secondary school students in Macao. The film should not be longer than 1 minute, with consular protection and consular services as the main theme. In addition, it can be produced in any kind of format, such as photography, animation, computerized images and video. Entrants can submit their short films to the Identification Services Bureau between 19 September 2011 and 4 November 2011. Organizer of this competition will assess the short films around mid of November, and announce the results by the end of November. Prizes include 1st Prize (three winners, each winner will be awarded MOP5000 and a trophy), 2nd Prize (three winners, each winner will be awarded MOP2000 and a trophy), 3rd Prize (three winners, each winner will be awarded MOP1000 and a trophy), top shortlisted entries award (each winner will be awarded MOP500), and excellent advisor award. For further information on the competition, please visit the following website: www.dsi.gov.mo/sppsc. More activities for promoting consular protection and consular services are under preparation, and will be announced in the near future.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) has commenced the subscription for the 2012 Year of the Dragon commemorative coins since 01 August 2011. Due to the overwhelming response, the 5 oz silver proof coins have been oversubscribed. For those who are still interested in ordering the commemorative coins, there are still a small number of 7.776 grams gold proof coins and 31.10 grams silver proof coins available for subscription before 30 September 2011. Subscription form can be submitted in person to AMCM with full payment in cash, personal cheque or cashier order; or send through postal mail attached with personal cheque or cashier order payable to "Autoridade Monetária de Macau"(Address: Autoridade Monetária de Macau, Calçada do Gaio, No. 24-26, Macau). Please specify on the envelope with "DFR - Subscription for coins". Subscription form can be downloaded from AMCM's website (www.amcm.gov.mo). Public sale for the Dragon commemorative coins is not available at AMCM.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau will hold an opening ceremony for the exhibition Beyond Space by Chu The-I and Kim Yong Sik at 3pm on Friday, the 16th of September, at the Tap Seac Gallery. The exhibition displays paintings by artists Chu The-I (Taiwan) and Kim Yong Sik (South Korea). In the 70s and 80s both studied overseas in France and the US, epicentres of the exploding modern art scene. This cultivated in them a pursuit of novelty in their creations and an incessant study of the art of painting, yet each artist developed his own unique creative style. Through representational and abstract work, and other techniques, the artists reveal the hidden depths of their consciousness, as well as their attitudes toward the art of painting. They have brought thirty-seven tense and powerful works to the Tap Seac Gallery, outlining a dialogue between the artists' different styles and illustrating their endless creativity. The Tap Seac Gallery is proud to offer these paintings, brimming with vitality, for the artistic stimulation of the people of Macao. The exhibition Beyond Space runs from September 17th until November 27th, daily from 10am to 7pm, at the Tap Seac Gallery, located at Av. do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida. Admission is free.
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