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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) distributed today gifts to tourists, organized a tray race and a banquet to celebrate World Tourism Day 2009. Earlier in the day, Director of MGTO, João Manuel Costa Antunes and Deputy Director Manuel Pires presented welcome gifts to tourists at the Macau Ferry Terminal and the Macau International Airport. Souvenirs were also distributed to visitors at MGTO Information Counters throughout the day. The lucky tourists of this year’s World Tourism Day were a Philippine couple at the Ferry Terminal and a Malaysian couple at the Macau International Airport. The traditional tray race was held in the afternoon, where waiters and waitresses ran down the stoned-path from the Ruins of St Paul's to Senado Square carrying a tray with a bottle of beer on it. The race attracted a total of 161 waiters and waitresses from 30 hotels and restaurants in Macau this year. Crowds of visitors and locals cheered for the participants. The winner of the men's division was Yang Hao from Sands Macao and the winner of the women’s division was Wu Chun Hao from 456 Modern Shanghai Cuisine. The Best Costume Awards went to Sardina Babel Luarez of Hard Rock Hotel and Hu Min Xia of Hotel Landmark Macau. In the evening, MGTO held a dinner banquet to celebrate World Tourism Day with local travel trade partners. On the occasion, Costa Antunes said that, “The theme of this year is ‘Tourism - Celebrating Diversity’. Macau is definitely the place where Chinese culture is integrated with Portuguese culture. The unique features have reflected in people’s living, architectures and cuisines. In addition, Macau is eager to explore the new tourism products, which will not only reveal the Sino-Western culture but also create sparkle with the old and the new elements. The attractiveness of Macau will be enhanced and Macau’s tourism industry will continue to diversify.” This is the 30th year since the celebrations of World Tourism Day on every September 27 were initiated by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 1980. The main purpose of World Tourism Day is to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic values. Each year, World Tourism Organization selects a different theme for World Tourism Day. This year's theme is "Tourism - Celebrating Diversity" The host country for World Tourism Day 2009 is Ghana and official celebrations were held today (for more details check www.unwto.org/wtd/). Many other countries and regions also carried out activities to celebrate the day.
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Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart 2009 closed today in Hangzhou. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) led a delegation to the four-day trade show, holding a big promotion of Macau’s tourism at the event. With Macau being the host of next year’s PATA Travel Mart, the delegation took this opportunity to learn for 2010 and invite participants to come to Macau next year to attend the travel show. MGTO organized today at the Travel Mart a “Macau Day”, which included in the program the PATA Gold Awards Lunch (an MGTO sponsored event), a “PATA Travel Mart 2010 - Macau Welcome Dinner” and several cultural performances, introducing Macau’s characteristics to participating travel trade and media from all over the world, and inviting them to come to Macau September next year to participate at the PATA Travel Mart. PATA Chairman Phornsiri Manoharn, China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) Chairman Shao Qiwei and MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes, among other guests, participated at the PATA Gold Awards Lunch. During the lunch, Chairman Shao Qiwei was conferred the PATA Award of Distinction 2009 to mark his outstanding contribution to the development of China tourism in his role as the head of the CNTA. PATA also presented plaques to the winners of this year’s Grand Awards, in four categories, and Gold Awards, in 22 categories, for the best in travel and tourism in the region. MGTO’s “Experience Macau” video received an Honorable Mention for Marketing Media – Promotional Travel Video. Lion dancers, Portuguese folk dancers, Venetian Gondoliers and Tuna Macanese Band flew from Macau to perform at the Travel Mart during the “Macau Day” activities, showcasing Macau’s unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures. Close to twenty Macau travel agencies, hotels, and business tourism companies participated at the travel show. As the host of next year’s PATA Travel Mart, MGTO organized the “2010 PATA Travel Mart – Macau Welcome Dinner”. During the dinner, Costa Antunes said that “Macau participates at the PATA Travel Mart 2009, which closes today at this charming city of Hangzhou, with a strong delegation of tourism officials and travel trade, and we will go home packed with ideas on how to host an outstanding PATA Travel Mart after learning with the great work of the Hangzhou Tourism Commission hosts.” The dinner was cheered with Macau performances. PATA Travel Mart is Asia Pacific’s foremost travel contracting and networking show. This year’s edition attracted more than 1,000 delegates, including 600 sellers, and over 300 buyers, which occupied an exhibition area of more than 10,000 square meters. Following the Travel Mart, the PATA Board of Directors will meet. PATA Travel Mart 2010 will take place at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel from 14 to 17 of September, with an expected attendance of around 1,000 participants. This press release is available at: www.macautourism.gov.mo
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In accordance with the exercise plan approved by the “Facilitation and Security Committee” at the beginning of 2009, an exercise of “Unlawful Seizure of an Aircraft” was conducted in Macau International Airport from 22:00 on 23 September to 03:00 on 24 September. The exercise was deemed satisfactory and achieved its goal. The exercise simulated acts of an unlawful seizure of an aircraft, en route to Macao, by four passengers on board. Upon receiving a report from the pilot and confirming the incident, the airport declared emergency. The Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) was activated. The threat was being analyzed and evaluated. Negotiations took place between the negotiation team and the hijackers. Eventually, the troops from the special operation group arrested the four hijackers. All the passengers and the aircraft crew were safely evacuated from the aircraft. The exercise, coordinated by the Public Security Police Force, involved the participation of 200 people representing Macao Customs Services, Security Forces Coordination Office, Judiciary Police, Fire Services Bureau, Health Bureau, Maritime Administration, Civil Aviation Authority, CAM-Macau International Airport Company Ltd, Administration of Airports, Ltd., Macau Security Company Ltd. (airport security), Air Macau Company Ltd. and Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd. Exercises are carried out every year in Macau International Airport, with the objectives of testing and assessing the effectiveness of the Airport Emergency Plan and the Operational Plans of the responding entities in respect to command and control, coordination, communications, resource allocation and so on, as well as improving the ability of the participants in recognizing and dealing with aviation security emergencies and contributing to adjusting the measures contained in the Airport Emergency Plan. Such performance ensures the compliance of our security capacity with the Standards and Recommended Practices of International Civil Aviation Organization, guaranteeing that Macao is a safe and secure air hub in the world.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the total number of visitor and non-resident arrivals reached 2,621,326 in August 2009; visitor arrivals for August 2009 increased by 6.4% year-on-year to 2,065,336. Analyzed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China increased by 8.9% year-on-year to 1,050,357 (50.9% of visitor arrivals), with 499,448 travelling to Macao under the Individual Visit Scheme, down by 15.3% from August 2008 (589,575). Visitors from Hong Kong (666,700); Taiwan, China (125,931); and Japan (37,505) rose by 2.9%, 12.6% and 27.1% respectively; however, those from the Republic of Korea (25,727) and Malaysia (21,137) decreased by 15.4% and 13.9%. Same-day visitors (1,042,673) accounted for 50.5% of visitor arrivals, with 550,129 coming from Mainland China. The cumulative visitor arrivals totalled 14,191,418 in the first eight months of 2009, down by 9.6% year-on-year. Visitors from Mainland China (7,030,457); Hong Kong (4,574,626); Taiwan, China (860,662); and Malaysia (199,952) fell by 14.5%, 1.6%, 4.2% and 28.7% respectively; however, those from Japan (232,250) registered an increase of 4.6%. Cumulative number of same-day visitors accounted for 53.1% of total visitor arrivals, at 7,536,321. Analyzed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by sea totalled 5,692,080 in the first eight months of 2009, down by 7.3% year-on-year. Visitors arriving at the Outer Harbour decreased by 24.6% to 3,950,737, while those arriving at the Provisional Ferry Terminal in Taipa surged by 143.8% to 1,555,490. Visitor arrivals by land dropped by 11.7% year-on-year to 7,464,425 in the first eight months of 2009; those arriving through the Border Gate totalled 6,932,085 and the majority were visitors from Mainland China (76.8%) and Hong Kong (15.1%). Visitor arrivals by air went down by 7.2% year-on-year to 1,034,913 in the first eight months of 2009. Visitors arriving at the Macao International Airport fell by 7.1% to 1,014,085, with the majority coming from Taiwan, China (39.4%), Mainland China (24.5%), Malaysia (7.7%) and Thailand (7.0%).
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The Monetary Authority of Macao released today the results of its mortgage loans survey. New Lending Approved For the second quarter of 2009, new residential mortgage loans (RMLs) approved by Macao banks increased notably by 74.3% quarter-to-quarter to MOP3.9 billion. Of which, 84.1% was extended to residents. In terms of approved value, new RMLs to residents and non-residents grew at respective rates of 67.9% and 118.6%. Meanwhile, new commercial real estate loans (CRELs) approved increased by 23.9% to MOP2.5 billion. Of which, 91.5% was granted to residents. In terms of approved value, new CRELs to residents rose 49.9%, while those to non-residents fell 57.0%. Outstanding Balances As at end-June 2009, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP36.8 billion, an increase of 4.6% compared with the previous quarter. 88.1% of the loans was extended to residents. RMLs to residents and non-residents grew at respective rates of 4.2% and 7.5% during the second quarter of 2009. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs edged up 0.8% to MOP35.5 billion. Residents accounted for 86.3% of the loans. During the second quarter of 2009, CRELs to residents grew 2.0% while those to non-residents fell 5.8%. Delinquency Ratios At the end of June 2009, the delinquency ratio for RMLs stayed at 0.23%, while the ratio for CRELs slid 0.04 percentage points to 0.50%.
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The Electoral Affairs Committee for the Legislative Assembly Election and the General Counting Committee of the Legislative Assembly Election held a joint press conference tonight to announce the result of the general counting of ballots and the winners of the direct election. The 12 directly elected legislators are Ms Kwan Tsui Hang, Mr Chan Meng Kam, Mr Ng Kuok Cheong, Mr Ho Ion Sang, Ms Leong On Kei, Mr José Pereira Coutinho, Mr Au Kam San, Mr Lee Chong Cheng, Mr Mak Soi Kun, Mr Ung Choi Kun, Mr Chan Wai Chi and Ms Chan Mei Yi. The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Committee for the Legislative Assembly Election, Mr Fong Man Chong, said that there was no change in the result of the direct election in terms of the winners despite the difference of ballots between the preliminary counting and the general counting. In accordance with the Legislative Assembly Election Law, the General Counting Committee of the Legislative Assembly Election must, on the next day of the election, review the validity of invalid ballots or those with questionable validity. The Committee has the authority to set up the criteria and decide on the validity of the ballots. Mr Fong said the Committee had to carry out its obligation in reviewing the ballots, regardless of the number of invalid ballots. He said he believed there was no definite link between the increased number of invalid ballots and the newly adopted way of voting, that is using a designated chop to stamp a tick on the ballot. The Electoral Affairs Committee for the Legislative Assembly Election had carried a thorough research and discussion before deciding on using a chop for voting. Mr Fong said the Electoral Affairs Committee for the Legislative Assembly Election will review what contributed to the high number of invalid ballots, as well as all the related procedures of holding the election. He said that the Committee had strove for a smooth election and it would focus on the use of computer, training of personnel and information and legal framework when reviewing this election.
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The General Counting Committee of the Legislative Assembly Election announced the completion of the general counting of ballots today. A total of 149,006 voters cast their ballots. The number of valid ballots stood at 147,223, while the number of blank and invalid ballots were 711 and 1,072 respectively. The following are the number of ballots won by participants on the list in the direct election: List Name of List Number of votes
1 União Macau-Guangdong 10,827
2 Nova Esperança 13,159
3 União Para o Progresso e Desenvolvimento 5,569
4 Associação de Próspero Macau Democrático 16,907
5 Aliança Pr'a Mudança 8,191
6 Observatório Cívico 5,396
7 Associação dos Cidadãos Unidos de Macau 17,775
8 Equipa de "Justiça Social" 1,671
9 Associação de Activismo para a Democracia 1,162
10 Nova União para Desenvolvimento de Macau 14,541
11 Aliança da Democracia de Sociedade 265
12 União Para O Desenvolvimento 22,101
13 União Promotora Para o Progresso 15,033
14 Voz Plural - Gentes de Macau 931
15 Associação de Novo Macau Democrático 11,303
16 Associação de Apoio à Comunidade e Proximidade do Povo 2,392
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The Legislative Assembly Election 2009 highly reflected the principles of “One Country, Two Systems”, “Macao People Governing Macao” and “A High Degree of Autonomy” had been successfully implemented in Macao, said the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah in a statement regarding the election on 20 September. He said many residents had exercised their responsibilities and basic rights in the election in accordance to Macao Basic Law. Mr Ho expressed his compliments on behalf of the Macao Government to all candidates who have been working hard with earnest and vigorous attitudes in the election. He also conveyed his cordial congratulations to all elected legislators. He said that during the election period, the government, all sectors from the society, especially the media had worked closely to promote civil education and deepen electors’ knowledge on the policy platforms of different election groups. Mr Ho also expressed his wholehearted gratitude to all citizens, the Electoral Affairs Committee for the Election of the Legislative Assembly, and all staff from different departments that contributed to this successful election. He said that the Government would continue to maintain a good communication with the Legislative Assembly in the near future, and put greater effort in legislations in order to drive Macao’s development.
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MGTO brings local travel industry stakeholders to attend the PATA Travel Mart 2009 to be inaugurated at the World Trade Center Zhejiang, Hangzhou on September 23. Besides attracting an impressive line-up of buyers and sellers, the show will welcome China National Tourism Administration Chairman Shao Qiwei, who will attend the Gold Awards Lunch and Award Presentation and “PATA Travel Mart 2010” Macau Welcome Dinner (tbc) on September 25. As Asia Pacific’s foremost travel contracting and networking show, PATA Travel Mart held between September 22 and 25 will attract over 1,000 delegates, including 600 sellers and 305 buyers from over 50 countries and regions. "Experience Macau!" is the theme of Macau’s distinctive booth at the event, and it is designed to showcase the SAR’s multi-faceted tourism products to the world. Following the travel mart, where representatives from about twenty Macau travel agencies, hotels and MICE industry companies will have a chance to meet their counterparts from around the world, the PATA Board of Directors will meet September 25-27. To pave the way for PATA Travel Mart 2010 in Macau next September, MGTO will host a “Macau Day” on September 25 comprising the Gold Awards Lunch, Macau Welcome Dinner, cultural performance and parade by Portuguese folk dancers, lion dancers, Venetian Gondoliers and Tuna Macanese Band, to promote Macau tourism and invite the international travel trade and media to next year’s event. At the Gold Awards Lunch, plaques will be presented to winners for outstanding achievements in several categories. This year, MGTO’s“Experience Macau” video received an Honorable Mention for Marketing Media – Promotional Travel Video. At the “PATA Travel Mart 2010” Macau Welcome Dinner to be held at the People’s Hall of Zhejiang Province, performers from Macau will showcase unique tastes of Macau to the attendees there. Ahead of the PATA Travel Mart 2009, the 5th International Conference on Destination Management, “Weathering the Storm of Global Recession: The Challenge for Destination Management,” organized by the UNWTO in partnership with PATA and the China National Tourism Administration took place in Hangzhou from September 21-22, with MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes as panel speaker on “Creating Opportunities - Innovation in Product Development”. Taking the opportunity of PATA Travel Mart, MGTO also joined with Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sport and Tourism to promote the two destinations to the Yangtse delta region at the Shenzhen and Macau Tourism Promotion Seminar held as a sideline event today (September 22).
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According to the statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, the portion of international business in the local banking sector remained large. At end-June 2009, the share of international assets in total banking assets edged up to 82.9% from 82.7% at end-March 2009, while the share of international liabilities in total liabilities increased to 77.6% from 76.7%. Foreign currencies remained as the dominant denomination in international banking transactions. At end-June 2009, the shares of pataca (MOP) in total international assets and total international liabilities were 0.5% and 2.5% respectively. Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) and Other Foreign Currencies (OFCs) accounted for 48.2% and 51.3% of total international assets respectively. On international liabilities, HKD had a share of 52.6% while OFCs accounted for 44.9%. International Banking Assets
At end-June 2009, total international assets increased 7.5% quarter-to-quarter and 5.5% year-on-year to MOP334.0 billion (USD41.8 billion). Within this total, external assets rose year-on-year by 4.2% to MOP253.9 billion while local assets in foreign currencies grew 9.8% to MOP80.1 billion. As a major component of international assets, other external assets jumped 21.7% over a year earlier to MOP158.2 billion mainly attributed to the expansion in placements of Macao banks with their overseas affiliates. International Banking Liabilities
Meanwhile, total international liabilities increased by 8.4% quarter-to-quarter and 5.1% year-on-year to MOP312.5 billion (USD39.2 billion). Of this total, external liabilities and local liabilities in foreign currencies amounted to MOP153.4 billion and MOP159.1 billion respectively. Compared with a year earlier, the former dropped by 1.1% while the latter rose 11.9%. Foreign currency deposits held by residents in the local banking system formed a major component of international liabilities. This type of deposits grew by 11.2% to MOP150.4 billion from MOP135.2 billion at end-June 2008. Breakdown of External Banking Assets and Liabilities by Region
The majority of external assets and liabilities were related to the regions of Asia and Europe. At end-June 2009, claims on Hong Kong and Mainland China occupied respectively 36.5% and 6.1% of total external assets, while claims on Portugal, UK and France took up respective shares of 15.8%, 3.0% and 2.7%. On external liabilities, Hong Kong and China occupied 43.6% and 15.3% of the total while France, Portugal and Germany took up respective shares of 12.5%, 7.2% and 2.1%. The compilation of International Banking Statistics follows the methodology advocated by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in order to facilitate Macao SAR’s participation in the “Locational International Banking Statistics” project of the BIS.
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