News

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, met the Secretary of the CPC Henan Committee, Mr Xu Guangchun, at Government Headquarters today. During the meeting, they exchanged views on co-operations in areas of trade, tourism and culture. Mr Ho then hosted a luncheon for him members the visiting delegation. The Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao, Ms Gao Yan; the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen; the Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Ho Veng On; Member and Secretary-General of the Standing Committee of the CPC Henan Committee, Mr Cao Weixin, and Vice Governor of Henan, Mr Shi Jichun were among those who attended the ceremony. Mr Xu arrived at Government Headquarters after attending a trade symposium to promote investment between Macao and Henan. He is to attend another trade promotion session in the afternoon and is scheduled to leave Macao tomorrow.
…

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government will organize an Academic Research Lecture in the Cultural Affairs Bureau Auditorium (Edifício do Instituto Cultural, Tap Seac Square, Macao) at 6:30pm on Thursday February 19. Dr. George Bryan Souza, adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Texas, will give a lecture on “Agency, Monopoly and Commerce, 1674 – 1774: The Administrators of the Junta do Tabaco”. This talk is about the agency of Crown-appointed merchants in the administration and the commercial activities of the Portuguese Crown’s monopoly of Brazilian tobacco, its trade and exchange for Afro-Asian commodities in local, regional, and global economies over the long eighteenth century. It traces and analyzes their actions and operations from the inception of the monopoly until 1774, when the Crown eliminated their positions. It relies upon archival research in materials on the Crown’s tobacco monopoly. The envisaged broader treatment of this topic will ask and answer questions like: for whom and how and why did Portugal and the Portuguese derive benefit from empire in the eighteenth century? How were the Crown’s commercial interests re-organized and what was their longer term impact upon the development of private Portuguese merchant activities? What was the importance of this commerce toward and within the rest of the Portuguese Empire and, in a broader context, in the Atlantic and global economies? To what degree did this re-dimensioning of Empire aid the Crown and local Portuguese society in recuperating, maintaining and defending its imperial presence from external indigenous threats in India and Africa in the long eighteenth century? George Bryan Souza is an adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Texas, San Antonio. Educated at Stanford University (B.A. with Departmental Honors in History), the School of Oriental and African Studies, at the University of London (M.A. in Southeast Asian Area Studies), and Trinity College, Cambridge University (D. Phil. in History), he is the author of The Survival of Empire: Portuguese Trade and Society in China and the South China Sea, 1630-1754, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1986 and numerous articles. Over the past few years, he has received support for his research interests in global maritime economic history, the history of European expansion, and cross-cultural contact and exchanges in the early modern period from the following institutions: affiliated fellow, IIAS, Leiden University, the Netherlands; IANTT/FLAD research grants, Lisbon, Portugal; Bernardo Mendel fellowships, at the Lilly Library, Indiana University; research grant from the American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies; Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Asia Research Institute at the National University of Singapore; Visiting Research Fellow at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Kyoto University and is in Macao on a Fulbright grant. Upon completion in April 2009, Souza will take up his invited appointment as a Mercator Guest Professor at Tubingen University in Germany. The lecture will be given in English with Mandarin, Cantonese and Portuguese simultaneous interpretation. Entrance is free. For further details, please contact Ms. Chu of the Macao Historical Archives of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at 85986537.
…

The Macao SAR Government (Macao SAR) was informed by the Hong Kong SAR Government (HKSAR) that the staying period of Macao SAR Residents in the HKSAR has been extended since16 February 2009. 1. Macao SAR Residents, possessing a valid Electronic Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card together with a “Declaration Form for Holders of Macao Special Administrative Region Permanent Resident Identity Card to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to the HKSAR”, can enter the HKSAR as visitors and stay for a maximum period of 180 days if the immigration requirements are duly fulfilled 2. Macao SAR Non-Permanent Residents possessing a “Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to the HKSAR” can enter the HKSAR as visitors and stay for a maximum period of 30 days if the immigration requirements are duly fulfilled.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that Macao registered 501,535 visitor arrivals in package tours in December 2008, up by 16.2% from a year earlier. Visitors from Mainland China (346,570) and Taiwan, China (37,106) increased by 18.4% and 32.8% year-on-year respectively, while those from Hong Kong (32,534) decreased by 10.8%. For the whole year of 2008, visitor arrivals in package tours rose by 15.8% over 2007 to 4,902,029. The number of Macao residents travelling outbound in package tours decreased by 11.3% year-on-year to 22,668 in December 2008. Mainland China (77.2%); Taiwan, China (6.2%); and Japan (5.4%) were the three most popular tour itineraries. In 2008, Macao residents travelling in package tours rose by 8.1% over 2007 to 229,188. Meanwhile, 33,074 residents travelled outbound under individual arrangements using services provided by travel agencies, up by 11.7% over December 2007. Hong Kong (47.3%), Mainland China (22.9%) and Taiwan, China (10.6%) were the major destinations. In 2008, outbound residents travelling under such arrangements dropped by 2.5% year-on-year to 377,229. At the end of December 2008, the number of guest rooms available in the hotel sector increased by 1,342 (+8.3%) from a year earlier to 17,490 rooms. In December 2008, a total of 617,501 guests checked into hotels and similar establishments, up by 16.8% year-on-year; the majority of the guests came from Mainland China (48.3%) and Hong Kong (23.0%). The average hotel occupancy rate for December 2008 dropped by 4.1 percentage points year-on-year to 79.0%, with 4-star hotels leading at 87.6%; in addition, the average length of stay of hotel guests dropped by 0.02 night to 1.4 nights. Total number of hotel guests reached 6,537,661 in 2008, up by 13.9% over 2007; the average hotel occupancy rate for 2008 decreased by 2.7 percentage points from 2007 to 74.5%. For 2008 as a whole, visitor-guests staying in hotels accounted for 43.5% of the total number of tourists, up from 42.0% in 2007.
…

The long-term development plan of the Pearl River Delta released last month provided a precious opportunity for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to bolster co-operation, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, said in Hong Kong today. Mr Tam made the remark when he met Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary, Mr John Tsang Chun-wah, during the second meeting between senior officials of Hong Kong and Macao on further co-operation. Mr Tam pointed out that the Central Government included Hong Kong and Macao in the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (2008-2020), a long-term development plan for the Pearl River Delta region. The plan stipulated further integration on transport infrastructure and industries, and requested the three sides to jointly build a high-quality living community, among other means of co-operation. Mr Tam said the Macao SAR Government had been conducting studies on the Outline and would set up a task force for its implementation. On Hong Kong-Macao co-operation, Mr Tam said the two Special Administrative Regions should step up partnership on tourism and MICE industries, environmental protection, cross-boundary infrastructure and civil servants training. More than 20 Hong Kong and Macao officials attended the meeting and shared their ideas on further co-operation. Mr Tam and members of the Macao delegation visited the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Clearing Limited, the site of Stonecutters Bridge and took a close look at the automated passenger clearance system (e-Channels) at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal. They also attended a presentation on Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and a luncheon hosted by Mr Tsang before returning to Macao in the evening.
…

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) organized a delegation which included 20 Macau trade partners to promote Macau in Indonesia and announced the appointment of IntraREPS as its first representative in Indonesia, the 17th MGTO Office around the world. MGTO hosted Macau Tourism Production Seminar, Mini Mart, Press Conference and Dinner on February 9, to tap Indonesian market. MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes, Marketing Division Head Betty Fok, Public Relations Division Head Kathy Iong, Representative of MGTO in Indonesia, Elly Hutabarat and Macau trade partners attended the events. MGTO and representatives from 17 airline, travel agencies, hotels, convention and exhibition venues and MICE association attended the seminar to present the latest tourism development, leisure and MICE products as well as aviation network of Macau to 200 travel trades in Indonesia. A mini mart was also held for the trade partners to discuss business opportunities to bring in more visitors. 50 local media representatives attended the press conference following the mini mart. MGTO hosted a dinner for leaders of travel trades and media with the presence of the Secretary General of Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Indonesia, Wardyatmo, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia, Zhou Bin, Head of Mission of Portuguese Embassy in Indonesia, Pedro Coelho among others. Director Antunes and Elly Hutabarat delivered their remarks and lion dance performance marked the official opening of MGTO Indonesia Representative Office. MGTO Indonesian website was also launched at the event. Director Antunes expressed that the Indonesia market is one of the potential markets in Asia and with the assistance of the appointed representative which has extensive experience and network in the travel and tourism industry in Indonesia, will help to promote and further expand the South East Asian source market for Macau. Chairperson of IntraREPS Elly Hutabarat says with the wide range of Macau’s attractions and its reasonable distance from Indonesia, they are eager to assist in promoting Macau to the Indonesian market. She also added that Macau has so much to offer, among others are facilities for MICE, heritage and cultural attractions as well as beautiful sceneries. She expected the new website will help to outreach more target groups in Indonesia. In recent years, MGTO stressed to diversify Macau’s international market profile. The direct airlink launched in 2006 between Macau and Indonesia almost doubled the number of Indonesian visitor arrivals to Macau in a year. In 2007 and 2008, MGTO and Viva Macau joined hands to promote Macau tourism in Indonesia, to further expand the South East Asian source market for Macau. After a comprehensive selection process, MGTO appointed IntraREPS to take up the mission to promote Macau. Statistics showed rapid growth of visitor arrivals from Indonesia to Macau. In 2008, the figures recorded over 187,752 with an outstanding increase of 40.72 per cent.
…

The Electoral Affairs Committee for the Election of the Chief Executive (EACCE) held its first meeting today to discuss the timetable for electoral affairs. Chairman of the committee, Mr Chu Kin, said the election of Chief Executive Election Committee is scheduled for 26 April. To obtain the nomination forms for the election, association or organisation eligible to vote shall submit the name of a representative from 16 February to 2 March. Association or organisation eligible to vote shall submit a list of electors from 6 February to 17 March. Participants of the Chief Executive Election Committee shall submit their candidature from 3 March to 17 March. To guarantee the fairness and strictness of the election, EACCE will introduce electronic equipment to calculate the number of votes in the election, and is in close touch with the Commission Against Corruption, Mr Chu Kin said. The Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau will hold a briefing for interested parties to further explain the rules and regulations of the election of Chief Executive Election Committee at Public Administration Building on Wednesday, 6 pm.
…

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) held a spring luncheon today (6 February) to express gratitude towards the support by travel trade, business partners and media in Hong Kong. Director of MGTO, Mr. João Manuel Costa Antunes, led the MGTO delegation to attend the event. The spring luncheon taken place at Conrad Hong Kong Hotel welcomed over 200 tourism partners and media to thank their support in the development of Macau tourism. A number of representatives from local travel trade related organizations participated in the luncheon. In his welcome remarks, Mr. Antunes expressed his gratitude to the HK travel and media sector for bringing another fruitful year to Macau in 2008. Hong Kong remained the second largest source market and the visitor arrivals have been increased to 8.23 million. Stepping into the Year of Ox, MGTO continued to promote Macau tourism by employing the slogan “Macau: a World of Difference, the Difference is Macau” and the theme “Experience Macau!” to worldwide visitors, inviting them to experience Macau with their five senses. Also, the objective of MGTO is to diversify the tourism products and source markets. MGTO will utilize tourism resources to enhance the development of cultural tourism and promote various thematic tour routes. Furthermore, in line with the celebration of 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Macau SAR, a series of promotional activities will be launched. MGTO will launch various promotional activities with focus on the "Historic Center of Macau", to organize familiarization tours to Macau, photo exhibitions, and roadshows to promote the wide range of tourism elements in Macau. Regarding business tourism and MICE industry, MGTO will set up a cooperation mechanism with the trade sector for its healthy and stable development. The cooperation network will be consolidated through the "Industry Partner Program", and promotional events focusing on the MICE industry will be implemented, while professional training programs and a cooperation mechanism will be set up to facilitate regional cooperation. Promotional tools such as a Macau Convention Brochure, Macau Incentive Travel Guide, 2nd edition of Macau Meeting Planners Guide, MICE video will be introduced to boost business tourism. To align with MGTO’s goal to attract a diversified range of visitors, the MGTO Hong Kong Representative office will continue to step up its marketing efforts to attract travelers, as well as to cooperate with the travel trade. At the same time, the Hong Kong office will also initiate an array of promotional activities, including product presentations and luncheons, thematic familiarization tours, seminars and workshops, road show, trade visits and industry support, among others, to maintain the vibrancy between MGTO, the travel trade partners and media friends.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the total number of licensed vehicles was 184,090 at the end of 2008, a year-on-year increase of 5%, of which 53% (97,724) were motorcycles and 39% (71,695) were light private cars. New registration of vehicles decreased by 9% year-on-year to 19,979 in 2008, with motorcycles and light private cars accounting for 63% and 29% respectively. For the whole year of 2008, the total number of traffic accidents dropped by 1% over 2007 to 12,834 cases, resulting in 4,515 victims and 9 of them were killed. Traffic flow by land between Macao and Mainland China decreased by 1% to 3,785,863 vehicle trips and the Border Gate was the major passage that took up 81% of the total. Commercial flight movements at the Macao International Airport decreased by 7% year-on-year to 46,036 in 2008. Taiwan, China; Mainland China; and Malaysia were the major routes that accounted for 38%, 27% and 10% of the total commercial flights to/from Macao. Helicopter flights between Macao and Hong Kong totalled 17,553 and those between Macao and Mainland China were 2,933, down by 1% and 4% respectively from 2007. Passenger transport by sea between Macao and Hong Kong decreased by 4% compared with 2007 to 84,375 ferry trips, while that between Macao and Mainland China increased by 20% to 20,914 trips. For containerized cargo, total seaborne container throughput for the whole year of 2008 was 126,335 TEUs or 89,914 containers handled, down by 9% and 7% respectively from 2007. Gross weight of seaborne containerized cargo was comparable to that in 2007, at 328,196 tonnes, with 20,918 tonnes of transshipment goods. Meanwhile, gross weight of containerized cargo by land increased by 38% to 104,312 tonnes, including 23,621 tonnes of transit goods. Outward air cargo fell sharply by 40% year-on-year to 41,548 tonnes in 2008. Taiwan, China; and Mainland China were the main destinations that accounted for 67% and 11% of the total respectively. Concurrently, inward air cargo decreased by 27% to 16,705 tonnes, with those from Taiwan, China taking a predominant share of 83%. In addition, transit air cargos dropped significantly by 52% over 2007 to 42,515 tonnes. At the end of 2008, the number of mobile telephone users rose by 17% year-on year to 932,596 whereas fixed-line telephone users decreased by 1% to 175,920. As regards internet services, number of subscribers reached 128,502 and the cumulative duration of usage totalled 253 million hours for the whole year of 2008, up by 7% and 42% respectively.
…

Macau Government Tourist Office kicked off the food festival entitled “Flavors of Macau” yesterday (Feb 3) in Manila. Representative of MGTO in the Philippines has invited 150 local media and top clients of the chefs to the launching ceremony to taste and promote Macau’s unique cuisine. 7 restaurants in the Philippines will take part in the “Flavors of Macau” in February and April to showcase Macau’s culinary culture and lift the profile of Macau. A culinary tour comprised chefs and owners of restaurants, media representatives from the Philippines visited Macau last October, when the chef learnt to prepare Macanese dishes and experience Macau’s culinary culture through one of their five senses “taste”. The launching ceremony of the “Flavors of Macau” was held at Green Beltz 5 in Manila and 7 chefs each prepared two dishes for the guests who savored Macau’s specialties and interact with the chefs. The ceremony featured video clips showing the culinary tour in Macau last October and restaurants participating in the “Flavor of Macau” and the menu were also announced to draw more publicity. Lucky draws giving out 14 travel packages to Macau will also be held during the food festival. The food festival “Flavor of Macau” will be promoted through television, radio and print media in the Philippines, and the representative of MGTO in the Philippines will also enhance the publicity effect through its marketing channels.
…