News

Forum and Workshop of the 34th National Congress of The Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies (APAVT) held today (Dec 1) at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center. The Forum of the Congress, under the theme “Tourism: New Markets, New Opportunities”, has invited President of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Jean-Claude Baumgarten as keynote speaker and former CNN presenter Lorraine Hahn as moderator. Other speakers included Peter Villax , Managing Director of Hovione, Yao Yuecan, Chairman of the Board of CITS Limited, Head Office and Pansy Ho, Managing Director of Shun Tak Holdings Limited and MGM Grand Paradise Limited. The panel of the Forum discussed new market opportunities, and Baumgarten referred the potential of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) and added that the Gulf is another potential region to watch. He also highlighted the need for a close partnership between public and private sector. Both Yao Yuecan and Pansy Ho pointed out that Macau can be a platform to help showcase Portugal to attract more Chinese visitors to Portugal. Pansy Ho also suggested the Portuguese travel industry to create a presence in Macau. Yao put forward the idea of multi-destination itineraries associating Portugal with other European countries, as well as the need to build a destination brand for Portugal among Chinese consumers. Peter Villax offered some insights as to how to work with the Chinese market, highlighting that the effort has to be sustained to achieve results in the medium term. He also added that a well thought out strategy is necessary before entering a new market. The Workshop for tourism presentations of Mainland China, Portugal and Macau was also held this afternoon. Chairman of the Board of CITS Limited, Yao Yuecan, General Director, Tourism Promotion Division of Turismo de Portugal, António Padeira and Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, João Manuel Costa Antunes introduced the tourism situation and products of each destination respectively. The workshop was followed by a travel mart between Portuguese tour operators and their Macau and Mainland China counterparts. About 100 travel trade from over 70 toursim related entities took part in the travel mart. The hosting of the APAVT Congress in Macau reinforces MGTO’s promotional strategy to show the new Macau to Portuguese tour operators, and attract more visitors from Portugal to Macau, especially for the celebrations next year of the tenth anniversary of the establisment of the Macau SAR. Macau has also been invited to be the “International Guest Destination” at the Lisbon Travel Market 2009 to be held next January to promote Macau. The National Congress of APAVT is a main highlight in the annual agenda of the Portuguese tourism industry. APAVT is the most representative association of Portuguese tourism, and since its foundation in 1950, has played a fundamental role in the development of tourism in Portugal. This is the fourth time that APAVT has chosen Macau to host its annual national congress, after 1982, 1990 and 1996, and the first after the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region.
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The Portuguese-language edition of Macao Yearbook 2008, an annual publication compiled and edited by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) of the Macao SAR, will hit the shelf on 2 December 2008. The Macao Yearbook outlines major events, progress and changes made in the course of Macao’s political, economic, social and cultural development on a yearly and systematic basis. It provides detailed and up-to-date information for all who wish to study and understand the territory. The Macao Yearbook has been published since 2002, and it is available in three languages, namely Chinese, Portuguese and English. Comprising 178 photographs, the Macao Yearbook 2008 is divided into five sections: Administrative Priorities of the MSAR Government; Calendar of Events; Review of the MSAR; Overview of the MSAR; and Appendices. Consisting of 16 chapters, the Overview of the MSAR presents information on the political and administrative system; legal and judicial system; external relations; economy; gaming industry; tourism; public order; education; culture and sport; health and social welfare; media, communications and information technology; land, infrastructure, housing and public utilities; transport; geography, environment and population; religion and customs; and history. Meanwhile in order to trace Macao’s changes in a visual manner, the GCS co-organised a photographic competition entitled “New Faces of Macao” with eight local photography organisations and four media groups in early 2008. The Macao Yearbook 2008 has been enriched by more than 10 winning entries from the competition. A photo entitled “Flags Flying on a Joyful Occasion” taken by Lou Ka Wai, which has won “Yearbook Cover Award” in the competition, has been selected as yearbook cover picture. This is the first time this award is presented in the photographic competition. The 702-page Portuguese-language edition of the Macao Yearbook 2008, together with a complimentary CD-ROM, can be purchased at the following places at 120 patacas or 120 Hong Kong dollars per copy: major local bookstores; the Macao Post Office (Macao Post)’s Philatelic Division, Rua do Campo Branch, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal Branch, Macau International Airport Branch, and Nova Taipa Branch; Government Printing Bureau; and the Government’s Public Information Centre at Rua do Campo. The English edition of the Macao Yearbook 2008 is in the process of printing, and will be available for sale shortly.
During the promotion period lasting until 31 March 2009, a 20-percent discount will be offered to any purchase of the Portuguese-language edition of the Macao Yearbook 2008.
Those who have bought the Chinese-language edition of the Macao Yearbook 2008 may redeem a complimentary CD-ROM with their receipts at their place of purchase starting from 2 December.
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According to the results of the Employment Survey released by the Statistics and Census Service, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate for August-October 2008 held stable at 3.1% and 1.5% respectively from the previous period (July-September 2008), but up by 0.1 and 0.3 percentage point year-on-year. Total labour force was 338,800 in August-October 2008; labour force participation rate stood at 70.6%, down by 0.1 percentage point over the previous period, but up by 0.3 percentage point year-on-year. The employed population increased by 1,600 over the previous period to 328,400, with increase in the number of persons working in Recreational, Cultural, Gaming & Other Service, but decrease in that working in the Manufacturing Sector and Real Estate & Business Activities. The unemployed population was 10,400, a decrease of 100 from the previous period, with 2,500 (23.7% of the total) searching for their first job, down by 0.9 percentage point over the previous period.
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In light of the current situation in Thailand and closure of airports in Bangkok, Macau Government Tourist Office is in close liaison with Outbound Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCTE) to monitor the development of events. Macau residents or visitors who need assistance can call MGTO’s hotline at 2833 3000 or hotlines of MGTO's representative in Bangkok at (66) 81-8041788 or (66) 81-7925107 from overseas or 081-8041788 or 081-7925107 in Thailand. All hotlines operate on 24-hour basis. They can also call the Chinese Embassy in Thailand at (66) 818214771 or (66) 819840658. Till November 27, MGTO has received one request for assistance and GGCTE has received several inquiries from the residents stranded in Thailand. MGTO and GGCTE have also been in close contact with the travel trade for information on groups touring in Thailand. There are currently six Macau tour groups (totaling 104 persons) in Thailand. Among which, two groups (totaling 31 persons) scheduled to return to Macau yesterday (November 26) were stranded in Bangkok. The concerned travel agencies have made accommodation arrangements for the tour participants. The other tour groups are continuing their travel itineraries in Thailand. Meanwhile, three originally scheduled tour groups to Thailand have been cancelled while the departure of four groups has been delayed. Information as to when the airports in Bangkok will reopen is not yet available. Considering the possible continuation of the current state of affairs, travelers to Thailand are advised to keep themselves abreast of the situation there and contact the airlines in Macau (Air Macau at 83965555, Air Asia at 28861388, Bangkok Airways at 28889923 or 28889924) about the situation of flights and airports in Bangkok.
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The Macao SAR Government is talking with Air Macao to send Charter flight to take back Macao residents stranded in Thailand. The Outbound Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCTE) this evening commenced contingency procedures to discuss plans to assist Macao residents stranded in Thailand, including sending charter flight to take them back to Macao. The office was talking with Air Macau about the arrangement. The Macao SAR Government urged those who know any Macao residents currently travelling in Thailand to inform their stranded acquaintance to call the hotline and arrange their return to Macao. Macau residents or visitors who need assistance can call MGTO’s hotline at 2833 3000 or hotlines of MGTO's representative in Bangkok at (66) 81-8041788 or (66) 81-7925107 from overseas or 081-8041788 or 081-7925107 in Thailand. All hotlines operate on 24-hour basis. They can also call the Chinese Embassy in Thailand at (66) 818214771 or (66) 819840658. The Outbound Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCTE) is closely monitoring the development of events. The office had received four inquiries up to midnight, November 27.
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“The 4th International Hotel Equipment & Supplies Expo (Hotel expo 2008)”and “World Heritage Travel Expo 2008(World Heritage 2008)”are held at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel as from 26th to 28th, November 2008. “Hotel expo” was firstly held in Macao in 2005, and now this event has turned into one of the local branding exhibitions. While IPIM has always been the supporting organization of ‘Hotel Expo’ during the past 3 years, as to support local events and motivate Macao SMEs to use this chance to develop their market skill, IPIM is supporting “Hotel Expo 2008” and “World Heritage Expo” this year as well. In accordance with the local small & medium enterprises (SMEs), IPIM as the supporting organization for these trade fairs – “Hotel Expo 08” and “World Heritage Expo 08”, has organized a series of workshops or seminars for the SMEs to participate during the events, which are: 1) The 2nd Asia Hotel General Managers Forum, organized by Macau Hoteliers & Innkeepers Association and Macau Convention & Exhibition Association, which encourages the hotel procurement managers from the nearby regions to have business developments with the local hotel suppliers in Macao; 2) To provide seminars and business matching service, such as Seminar on Cooperation between Hotels and SMEs; 3) With the “SMEs Marketing Seminar Incentive Program”, IPIM cooperates with Macau Convention & Exhibition Association and Association of Macau Restaurant Merchants to organize the “Spa & Wellness Forum” and “Coffee Workshop”; 4) To assist in organizing the local SMEs for the participation in all seminars and business matching during the Expo; 5) To invite the local Associations and SMEs to visit the Expo and others related programs; 6) To provide financial incentives program for the SMEs, allowing them to participate in exhibition activities in Macau. Likewise, IPIM also provides promotional and publicity services for local SMEs through Macao Trade and Invest Kiosk, website, advertising, etc. Other than that, the “World’s Heritage Expo” is the first tourism-themed exhibition that’s held in Macao, which targets to reflect the world’s heritage as the travel destination and development trend, as well as building up a business platform for tourist professions in world heritage, business promotion and co-operation opportunities, IPIM is acting as the supporting organization of this event, as to stimulate the development of professional event in Macao and motivate the local SMEs to grasp the business development opportunities and participate more into it. Other than that, IPIM has also set up its booth on-site to promote the local business investment environment and IPIM’s services. In terms to collaborate with both event’s promotional scheme in Mainland China, IPIM has firstly in collaboration with organizers of promotional scheme through direct mailing in China via Macao as the service platform, as to extend the number of participants to join the event. Overall, this year’s “Hotel Expo” and “World Heritage Expo” have attracted 111 exhibitors,310 booths in total (Final official answer is to be given by organser ), and provide exhibition incentive subsidy to 12 local companies to participate。Ever since the growth of Macao’s Convention and Exhibiton industry, the financial assistance for participation in exhibition has extended to include local event in Macao. Until November 2008,IPIM has offered subsidy to 109 local companies(exclude 12 association ) ,126 times as a whole; Application area include : Rental Fee of Booth, Booth Decoration and Setting up cost, production cost of promotional materials and advertising at applicable event’s official website, etc.）Of the 55 local trade fairs and conventions held, IPIM has provided support to 31 of them, taking roles as co-organizers, organizers, supporting organizations and providing exhibition financial incentives. Also, a total of 542 visitors have attended trade fairs and exhibitions through delegations and pre-registration services offered by IPIM. To facilitate local SMEs a channel to gain access to overseers products and services information, IPIM has initiated, from May 2008, to organize country-themed catalogues shows at Macao Business Support Centre, with a further aim to foster partnership arrangements between local and foreign enterprises, e.g. obtaining distribution rights of overseas products. A total of 7 countries have participated in the Shows, including Thailand, Indonesia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Canada, South Africa and the UK, with over 140 foreign enterprises have their catalogues and promotional materials exhibited. These Show have attracted more than 1330 visitors and facilitated 20 business matching sessions. Apart from country-themed catalogue shows, IPIM’s Small and Medium Enterprises Service Centre has jointly organized 5 business workshops and seminars with different business associations for local SMEs. Themes of these workshops included business capacity expansion and creating competitive advantages. Invited speakers from various government bureaus, local and foreign business associations have given valuable insights to some 430 representatives from 240 enterprises, covering topics on retailing and wholesaling, agent business, franchise and chain store operations. Recapping the Franchising and Chain Store workshops held in August and September, there has been a promotion session for over 300 relevant brands, which brought about 30 matching sessions. Mr LEE PENG HONG gave comments during the opening ceremony of the above event that although the Convention and Exhibition industry in Macao is challenging and affected by the downfall of global economy, however, IPIM is still optimistic in towards the Convention and Exhibition industry development, as there is still good potential for the development in the market strengths within the district. Moreover, IPIM has always provided a selective service to assist local and oversea company in doing exhibition in Macao, which includes: promotional, services enquire and co-organized the side-event during the Exhibition period to attract further participants. Other than that, recently Macao International Trade & Investment Fair (MIF) ”has also signed the protocol with “Wine & Gourmet Asia” to become partner Fair at MIF next year to get further exposure and influence, whereas IPIM continues to promote the range of local branding fairs (Hotel Expo, World Heritage Expo) with the organizes Overseas and Mainland market with the intention of maximizing promotions efforts and cost. Supporting Measures of IPIM at “HOTEL EXPO 2008”
l To support in “Hospitality industry and SME Co-operation Forum” and business Matching session during this event (20 companies and 31 participants)
l To support the seminar co-operation of Macau Convention & Exhibition Association and Association of Macau Restaurant Merchants on “ Spa & Wellness Forum”and : “Coffee Workshop” through SME Marketing Seminar Incentive Programme (Orgnaised 47 local enterprises to participate)
l To Offer exhibition incentive subsidy to 5 local companies l To assist pre-registration and invite local association and SMEs delegation to visit the exhibition and its side-event,in total there is 38 companies, 142 individuals registered with IPIM to participate at the opening ceremony, Seminar on Cooperation between Hotels and SMEs, “ Spa & Wellness Forum”,“Coffee Workshop” and The 2nd Asian Hotel General Managers Forum
l To promote local Business Investment Environment during seminar and forum at the exhibition. l To assist and organize business matching session with local SMEs Supporting Measures of IPIM at “World Heritage Expo”
l To assist pre-event promotion（Newsletter, Website, Newspaper Ad.）
l To co-operate Direct mailing promotion scheme (As request by the organizer, in terms to further develop the influence of this event, targeting to wave the audience from Mainland China to participate, IPIM,“Hotel Expo” and “World Heritage 2008” has been co-operate direct mailing promotion scheme through post channel in China, target audience within Guangdong includes: Travel agencies, hotel, resort, restaurant and other leisure facilities. The posting service used at these 2 events is “Exhibition Direct Mailing” in business letter format, which each mail had been directly forward the related exhibition information to target audience. With our source, there is in total 30,000 letter has been sent out; over 2,000 companies have follow the instruction on the post and reply to organizer for participation.
l To assist to invite local trade commerce and association to participate at the 4th World Heritage Forum. l To Offer exhibition incentive subsidy to 7 local companies
l To assist pre-registration and invite local association and SMEs delegation to visit the exhibition and it’s side-event, in total there is 6 companies, 11 individuals registered with IPIM to participate at the 4th World Heritage forum.
l To set up IPIM’s booth in terms to promote the local business investment environment and offer on-site enquires services to oversea visitor by staff at Department of Activities Promotion (IPIM).
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, will visit Shenzhen on Thursday and Friday to attend a meeting on Shenzhen-Macao co-operation. The two governments will sign some agreements after the meeting to enhance co-operation. Mr Ho will also visit some sites to learn more about the city’s creative industry. Mr Ho’s delegation will include the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Chui Sai On; the Chief of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Ho Veng On; the Director of Government Information Bureau, Mr Victor Chan Chi Ping; the Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, Mr João Manuel Costa Antunes; the Director of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ms Ho Lai Chun da Luz and the Director of Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Mr Sou Chio Fai.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that inward foreign direct investment amounted to MOP 13.20 billion in 2007, up by MOP 330 million over 2006. Analyzed by investors’ place of usual residence, investment came mainly from Hong Kong (MOP 6.72 billion), Mainland China (MOP 3.38 billion) and the United States (MOP 3.16 billion). In addition, outward direct investment made by Macao enterprises totalled MOP 6.92 billion, indicating a net inflow of foreign direct investment of MOP 6.28 billion in 2007. In 2007, income earned by investors from inward foreign direct investment totalled MOP 11.17 billion, down significantly by MOP 8.59 billion over 2006. Meanwhile, income earned by Macao enterprises from outward direct investment rose by MOP 113 million to MOP 565 million. At the end of 2007, stock of inward foreign direct investment in Macao reached MOP 63.02 billion, a notable surge of MOP 10.94 billion from 2006. Stock of outward direct investment made by Macao enterprises increased by MOP 6.90 billion over 2006 to MOP 15.43 billion. Analyzed by industry, the Gaming Sector took a dominant share of MOP 37.85 billion in the stock of inward foreign direct investment, up by MOP 4.12 billion over 2006. Concurrently, the Financial Sector (MOP 13.10 billion) and the Construction Sector (MOP 3.45 billion) also registered increase of MOP 2.85 billion and MOP 1.98 billion respectively compared with 2006. Stock of foreign direct investment from Hong Kong amounted to MOP 37.26 billion in 2007, a year-on-year increase of MOP 6.64 billion. This was followed by investment from the United States (MOP 12.70 billion) and Mainland China (MOP 6.65 billion), up by MOP 3.15 billion and MOP 1.94 billion respectively over 2006. Direct Investment Statistics refers to the investment profile between Macao and other economies. For statistical purpose, Macao and Mainland China are considered as two separate economies. Coverage of the Direct Investment Statistics included the major industries of Macao, namely Industrial Production; Construction; Wholesale & Retail; Hotels & Restaurants; Transport, Storage & Communications; Financial Services; Gaming; and Cultural, Recreational & Other Services. In 2007, there were 1,853 foreign direct investment enterprises in Macao, with 1,804 engaging in the Non-Financial Sector and 49 in the Financial Sector.
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Information of the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the population of Macao was estimated at 557,000 as at 30 September 2008, an increase of 25,000 from a year earlier. In the third quarter of 2008, there were 1,221 live births, up by 11.7% quarter-to-quarter, with male babies accounting for 51.8%. The number of mortality cases was 405 and the major underlying cause of death was “Malignant Neoplasms” and “Diseases of the Circulatory System”. Meanwhile, 9 cases of fetal mortality were recorded. The Health Bureau received 614 cases of Notifiable diseases in the third quarter, a decrease of 150 cases over the preceding quarter, including 156 cases of “Acute Norovirus Gastroenteropathy”, 111 cases of “Varicella (chickenpox)” and 91 cases of “Tuberculosis of Lung”. Besides, cases of “Hand, Foot and Mouth Diseases” dropped significantly from 302 in the last quarter to 53 cases. In addition, 745 cases of marriage were registered, up slightly by 0.4% over the second quarter of 2008. The number of legal immigrants from Mainland China totalled 621 in the third quarter of 2008, a decrease of 94 over the preceding quarter; meanwhile, 331 illegal immigrants were repatriated. The end-quarter balance of individuals authorized to reside in Macao went up by 1,700 over the second quarter of 2008 to 47,191. The end-quarter balance of non-resident workers was 104,281, an increase of 5,776 over the second quarter of 2008.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI for October 2008 rose by 8.82% year-on-year to 126.76, of which the price indices of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages; Health; and Clothing & Footwear soared by 17.72%, 14.00% and 7.41% respectively. Among the subgroups of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages, notable increase was observed in the prices of rice (+65.54%), fresh beef (+56.56%), canned meat (+47.92%), fresh fish (+30.10%), vegetables (+27.38%) and fresh pork (+25.74%). For the subgroups of Health and Clothing & Footwear, charges for medical consultation service and women’s clothings rose significantly by 24.75% and 8.84% respectively. Meanwhile, the price index of Recreation and Culture recorded a year-on-year increase of 7.24% due to rising charges for outbound package tours. In spite of dearer prices of LP Gas (+24.14%), higher rentals for housing (+15.12%) and charges for maintenance & repair services of dwelling (+14.33%), the electricity subsidy provided by the Government slowed down the year-on-year increment of the index of Housing & Fuels to 6.44%. On the contrary, lower prices of mobile phones and mobile service charges caused the price index of Communication to decrease by 6.87%. The CPI-A and CPI-B for October 2008 were 129.53 and 126.04 respectively, up by 9.71% and 8.52% year-on-year. The Composite CPI for October 2008 increased by 0.35% month-to-month, with the price indices of Clothing & Footwear; Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages; and Housing & Fuels increasing by 1.61%, 1.27% and 0.49% respectively, on account of dearer prices for new arrivals of Autumn/Winter clothing, rising prices of fish and vegetables, as well as higher rentals for housing. On the other hand, continuous decrease of gasoline prices drove down the price index of Transport by 3.94%. Moreover, the CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.53% and 0.29% respectively month-to-month. The average Composite CPI for January to October 2008 went up by 8.98% over the same period of 2007. For the 12 months ended October 2008, the Composite CPI rose by 8.65% over the preceding period. The Composite CPI reflects the impacts of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 49% of households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP3,000 to MOP9,999. The CPI-B relates to about 31% of households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP10,000 to MOP19,999.
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