News

Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in February on 16 February for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Horte e Costa, Avenida do Ouvidor Arriaga and Rua da Emenda areas in Santo António Parish. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM’s Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. With reference to the local six parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) visited Nansha District of Guangzhou today (16 February) to attend the preparation work meeting for “multi-destination” tourism promotional activities of Macao and Nansha in 2016. During the meeting, the attendees discussed the collaboration plan for multi-destination tourism promotion. Following that, the delegation headed to Zhuhai in the afternoon to attend the 2015 conclusion meeting of regional cooperation in tourism between Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macao and the 2016 work meeting. The meeting addressed this year’s plan for regional cooperation in tourism between the tourism authorities of Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macao. During the preparation work meeting held this morning (16 February) for “multi-destination” tourism promotional activities of Macao and Nansha in 2016, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Deputy Chief of the People’s Government of Nansha District of Guangzhou, Yu Ruolan, Director of Nansha District Tourism Bureau, Hong Minqi, as well as other officials listened to the research project of “multi-destination” tourism promotion of Nansha, Hong Kong and Macao in 2016 presented by the Fok Ying Tung Research Institute located in Nansha under the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Nansha District Tourism Bureau then presented its promotional plan of 2016 based on the above project, followed by an exchange of ideas and perspectives with MGTO. The two parties discussed the directions of their cooperation in line with the project, and confirmed the next steps to carry out the collaboration plan. This year, the two tourism authorities will look into the possibilities to support travel trade launching multi-destination tours to Macao and Nansha, and consider carrying out promotional activities in Mainland cities along the high speed rail route between Wuhan and Guangzhou. MGTO Director Senna Fernandes visited Zhuhai with the MGTO delegation in the afternoon to attend the 2015 conclusion meeting of regional cooperation in tourism between Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macao as well as 2016 work meeting. During the meeting, Senna Fernandes discussed this year’s plan for regional cooperation in tourism between the three destinations with Zhongshan Municipal Tourism Bureau Director Wu Jiamin and Deputy Director Dong Zuwen, Zhuhai Culture Sports and Tourism Bureau Director Wang Lingping and Deputy Director Min Yuntong as well as other officials. The meeting started with a summary of joint tourism projects rolled out between the three destinations in 2015. A chairman rotation ceremony was then held to appoint Zhongshan Municipal Tourism Bureau the rotating chairman of 2016. During the meeting, Zhongshan Municipal Tourism Bureau raised the plan for regional cooperation in tourism between Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macao in 2016, which was later approved by the three parties after discussions. The three tourism authorities have reached a consensus during the meeting, that they will keep on promoting their shared image “Fragrant Hill in the past; Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macao today” and roll out joint promotional activities in various Mainland cities along High-speed rail routes to encourage visitations to the three destinations in one trip. In commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen this year, the three destinations plan to invite their members of travel trade to participate in “Sun Yat-Sen Cultural Tourism Festival” hosted by Zhongshan Municipal Tourism Bureau together. Furthermore, the three tourism authorities will study the feasibility of fostering cooperation in yacht tourism development for individual visitors. In addition, they will further integrate their tourism resources and together produce a tourism promotional video and travel tips around Fragrant Hill, to jointly promote the tourism products of the three destinations. Guangdong and Macao have maintained a stable and long-term collaborative relationship in tourism. by leveraging a range of cooperative platforms such as Guangdong and Macao; Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao; Shenzhen and Macao; as well as Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macao, the two destinations have made continuous efforts to expand their visitor source markets and encourage multi-destination travel through promotional projects across the Mainland and overseas, branding their cities as one regional destination. It was among the major tasks for implementation of the "Framework Agreement on Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao” last year to develop yachting tourism between Nansha and Macao. MGTO led a delegation of Macao travel trade to inspect Nansha last August for an update on the city’s latest development, as well as participate in networking and discussion sessions. Back in 2006, the tourism authorities of Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macao signed the “Memorandum of Cooperation in Tourism between Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macao” to enhance their collaboration in tourism and brand their cities as one regional destination around the theme of Fragrant Hill and Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s life history. The three tourism authorities also jointly presented their multi-destination tourism products in Chengdu and Chongqing last June. In addition, MGTO rolled out destination product presentations and business sessions in Malaysia and Singapore to promote multi-destination travel itineraries together with Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province, Tourism Administration of Guangzhou Municipality, Zhuhai Culture Sports and Tourism Bureau, Tourism Administration of Shaoguan Municipality as well as Zhongshan Municipal Tourism Bureau last July. After the event, the travel agencies in Malaysia successfully launched new multi-destination tourism products into the market. In September, China National Tourism Administration organized a delegation of Taiwanese media and travel agency executives to visit Macao and Zhuhai for an inspection tour along multi-destination itineraries. MGTO and Zhuhai Culture Sports and Tourism Bureau seized the opportunity to update the Taiwanese delegation on the latest tourism trends in Macao and Zhuhai, while MGTO also attended a symposium held in Zhuhai about multi-destination tour routes across Taiwan, Zhuhai and Macao. In 2016, MGTO will carry on its efforts to strengthen its partnership with tourism authorities of different destinations under the regional cooperation framework across Pan-Pearl River Delta; between Hong Kong and Macao; Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao; Guangdong and Macao as well as Fujian and Macao, etc. by regularly holding work meetings and jointly developing tourism resources across various destinations. Moreover, the Office will ride on the opportunities arisen from the Belt and Road Initiative to promote “multi-destination” tourism products.
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The 27th Macao Arts Festival (MAF), organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), will be held during the month of May. This edition of the MAF is themed “Time” and has “Reshape your Imagination Experience the Spirit of the Times” as slogan, offering a variety of exceptional shows besides its Outreach Programme. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the death of the western world literary giant William Shakespeare and of Ming Dinasty’s famed Chinese opera playwright Tang Xianzu, and therefore the MAF offer special programmes in honour of these two great writers. Recently, IC divulged a preview of the six MAF’s highlights on its webpage, including the opening show, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s romantic comedy staged by the Shakespeare Theatre Company from USA, featuring stunning and delicate sceneries and wardrobe, and directed by internationally renowned Broadway director Ethan McSweeney; the monologue Krapp’s Last Tape, directed and performed by internationally acclaimed theatre and opera director Robert Wilson, is a simplified adaptation of Samuel Beckett’s famed work, and is considered a perfect match between the contemporary theatre master and playwright; the Yue opera Lu You and Tang Wan presenting the elegant, poetic, refined and exquisite style of Southern China’s opera and aesthetic spirit, performed by a top female Yue opera troupe in China, Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe; the dance piece Obsession by Japanese dance masters Saburo Teshigawara and Rihoko Sato, which focuses on how a conscious person is torn by an inner obsession through a combination of music, movement, fine arts and images, creating a poetic space characterised by an intense sense of artistic composition and depth; Jérôme Bel and Swiss Theater HORA’s play Disabled Theater performed by actors with cognitive impairments, reveals that people with cognitive impairments are capable to question the status of society and point out the living style of different people; and Tang Xianzu’s romantic tragedy The Legend of the Purple Hairpin, adapted by playwright Tang Ti-Sheng, is performed by renowned Macao Cantonese opera artist Chu Chan Wa and by local Cantonese opera artists, offering the audience a unique opportunity to explore this masterpiece in depth. For more information, please visit the MAF’s webpage at www.icm.gov.mo/fam, follow the MAF’s page on Facebook or subscribe to IC’s WeChat account.
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Spanning seven days from 7 to 13 February, Spring Festival Golden Week has come to an end. According to preliminary statistics, Macao recorded a total of 1,076,611 visitor arrivals during the period (with non-resident workers and students, etc. taken into account), up 4.7% over the corresponding period last year. Strongest surge in Taiwan market During Spring Festival, visitors from the Greater China market went up 4.7% year on year to one million, which accounted for 94.4% of the total visitor arrivals. Among them, nearly 800,000 visitors came from Mainland China, which accounted for 73% of total arrivals, a 4.3% increase. Taiwanese visitor arrivals spiked up 42.7% — the most among all markets — to a record of 24,000; whereas the number of Hong Kong visitors surpassed 190,000 with an increase of 2.6%. On the other hand, visitor arrivals from international markets climbed up 4.4% year on year to 60,000. Hotel occupancy rates rise Up to date, the room supply of all hotels and guest houses has reached 33,047 in Macao. Industry figures reveal that three- to five-star hotels registered an average occupancy rate of 93.4% during the golden week, a year-on-year increase of 5.9 percentage points. Five-star hotels recorded an average occupancy rate of 96.2%, up 2.9 percentage points; four-star hotels registered 92.6%, up 8.5 percentage points; three-star hotels 91.4%, up 6.2 percentage points; two-star hotels 78.7%, up 4.8 percentage points; guest houses 75.6%, slightly up 1.6 percentage points. Star hotel room rates decline The average room rate of three- to five-star hotels in Macao dropped 17.2% to 1,672.7 patacas during the golden week. For five-star hotels, the average room rate went down 12.2% to 2,150.5 patacas; for four-star hotels, down 15.7% to 1,455.6 patacas; for three-star hotels, down 25% to 1,412.1 patacas; for two-star hotels, down 9.1% to 981.6 patacas; for guest houses, slightly up 1.7% to 738.2 patacas. Before and during Spring Festival, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) actively got prepared for the peak period with a variety of measures adopted as follow: operation of tourism notification system, more scrupulous inspections, reminders sent to trade about various concerns, food guide publication and distribution as well as an array of mega celebrations rolled out during Lunar New Year, etc. The above measures were done to cater to what local residents and visitors need, as well as optimize tourism environment and service quality. Room rates of local hotels and guest houses under different room categories are regularly posted on MGTO’s website for visitors to have the latest information on hand. Via mobile text message and WeChat, the Office also advised visitors to arrange their accommodation and itinerary in advance before their trip to Macao, and to visit popular local attractions at off-peak hours during their stay. Such reminders were sent to divert visitors from crowded areas. Personnel were also stationed at ten tourist spots around town to provide tourism information and guidance for visitors while assisting in crowd management. MGTO and Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province put their “Tourism Notification System for Spring Festival Golden Week” into operation between 7 and 13 February. The Office also collaborated with relevant departments and tourism reception entities to facilitate hospitality work for visitors during Spring Festival Golden Week. During the golden week, MGTO conducted 86 inspections at various border ports and tourist spots, and sealed one apartment allegedly operated as illegal accommodation. MGTO’s Tourist Information counters and tourism hotline service both operated as usual during the holidays. MGTO’s tourism hotline 2833 3000 maintained its 24-hour operator service to answer visitors’ enquiries. During Chinese New Year, MGTO received a total of 26 complaints, assistance requests and enquiries from visitors concerning public transportation (taxi and bus), shopping, tour guide, hotel, dining, public facility, tourist attraction and so on. MGTO has followed up with or transferred the cases to relevant entities for settlement.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP155.6 billion (USD19.39 billion) at the end of January 2016. The reserves increased by 3.2% from the revised value of MOP150.8 billion (USD18.89 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-January 2016 represented 13 times the currency in circulation or 110.1% of Pataca M2 at end-December 2015. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca rose 0.36 points month-to-month and 4.68 points year-on-year to 107.64 in January 2016, implying that overall speaking, the pataca appreciated against the currencies of Macao’s major trading partners.
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The Bachelor of Science in Accounting with Specialisation in Professional Accountancy programme and the Bachelor of Science in Accounting with Specialisation in Accounting and Information Systems programme, both offered by the University of Macau’s (UM) Faculty of Business Administration, have been accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Students of the two programmes admitted from the 2013/2014 academic year onwards are eligible for exemption from all or part of the papers at the Fundamentals level of the ACCA Qualification, provided that the corresponding courses are completed. Graduates of the two programmes are eligible to claim exemptions from nine papers (Paper F1 – F9) and eight papers (Paper F1 – F5 and F7 – F9) at the Fundamentals level, respectively. They can then work towards completing their ACCA Qualification by passing the remaining examinations, together with three years of practical experience and the Professional Ethics module. The title of ‘Fellow’ will be awarded to those who complete the continuing professional development (CPD) and have been an ACCA member for five years. Founded in 1904, the ACCA is a global organisation for professional accountants and supports 178,000 members and 455,000 students worldwide. ACCA members benefit from a network of 95 offices that provide a wealth of resources and support. An ACCA member is also entitled to use the ACCA designation with his or her name.
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Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) held the “Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Monkey” at Macao’s Northern District tonight (13 February). Livening up the district with festive joy, the Parade attracted large crowds of local residents and visitors. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, President of Macao Sports Bureau, José Tavares, and Head of Department for the Development of the Performing Arts of Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), Kent Ieong Chi Kin, officiated the kick-off ceremony together with other guests at Rua Norte do Patane at 8 p.m. tonight. Featuring 14 floats in total, the Parade began at Rua Norte do Patane. The parading procession then marched through Avenida do Conselheiro Borja, Estrada do Arco, Estrada da Areia Preta, Avenida de Venceslau de Morais, Rua Quatro do Bairro da Areia Preta, Avenida da Longevidade and Rua do Mercado de Iao Hon until the finishing point at Iao Hon Market Garden. At the starting and finishing points, MGTO gave away small presents such as monkey mascots and hats, illuminated wrist bands and flashlight clappers, which went widely popular among the audience. Stage performances started in Iao Hon Market Garden at 8:15 p.m, featuring local singers Filipe Tou, Alan Tse, Ken Sou, Kevin Cheng, Viviana Lo, Elisa Chan, Ring Hun and Kayaku Sou. The event was culminated with the finale performance presented by Hong Kong artist Vincent Wong. The response from the public was overwhelming and the stage performances came to an end at 9:30 p.m. After the parade, the 14 floats are showcased at Tap Seac Square until 6 p.m. on 21 February (the 14th day of Lunar New Year). The floats are dazzling with illuminations to allow photo opportunities for local residents and visitors from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. between 14 and 20 February. MGTO is actively promoting community tourism development while making great efforts to develop diversity of tourism products. Following the mega outdoor celebrations rolled out at the heart of the Macao Peninsula on the first day of Lunar New year and the first Parade on the third day, MGTO specially arranged the float parade at Macao’s Northern District, encouraging visitors to explore different neighborhoods and experience Macao in different ways. Besides the float parade which fills the town with festive vibe, with Valentine’s Day coming on this Chinese New Year, MGTO specially presents “Valentine's Day Fantasia 2016 – The Fairytale of Lights” at the Taipa Houses-Museum area and numerous attractions nearby in Taipa from 7 to 29 February, offering a fascinating choice of leisure and entertainment for local residents and visitors. The 3D mapping show themed as “Cinderella’s Glass Slipper” will radiate romantic sparks from 12 to 22 February and let the warm ambience go on throughout this festive season. In addition, MGTO rolls out a prize-redemption game named “Macao Hunt” on WeChat from 1 to 28 February, guiding local residents and visitors to look out for golden monkeys along four designated walking tour routes under the theme “Step Out, Experience Macao’s Communities”, for a chance to win electronic coupons from merchants and enter a lucky draw. The game is launched to further enhance the charm of community tourism. This press release is available at: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/
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With Valentine’s Day and Chinese Lantern Festival soon arriving, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is kicking off its 3D mapping show, a highlight of “Valentine's Day Fantasia 2016 – The Fairytale of Lights”, with an opening ceremony held at the Amphitheater of the Taipa Houses-Museum tonight (12 February). The 3D mapping show themed as “Cinderella’s Glass Slipper” is presented to local residents and visitors with the warmest blessings and wishes that all lovers and families can enjoy the sweetest happiness and bliss every day. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, President of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng, and Administration Committee Member of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Isabel Celeste Jorge, unveiled the 3D mapping show of “Valentine's Day Fantasia 2016 – The Fairytale of Lights”. Beautiful like a dream, the enchanting 3D mapping show “Cinderella’s Glass Slipper” was officially launched tonight, inviting spectators to travel through time and step into an imaginative world of romantic fairytale. The MGTO-organized “Valentine's Day Fantasia 2016 – The Fairytale of Lights” is staged at the Taipa Houses-Museum area and numerous attractions nearby in Taipa from 7 to 29 February, presenting light installations at over ten locations, an interactive game as well as a 3D mapping show. The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and Cultural Affairs Bureau are the event co-organizers. By holding a wide variety of events and activities, MGTO encourages visitors from around the world to visit Macao for a long vacation besides offering new choices of leisure and entertainment to local residents, as the Office keeps on forging Macao into a “City of Events” and supporting the SAR Government to foster Macao’s development into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. The 14 groups of light installations, including 9,999 rose illuminations, are dazzling across the Taipa Houses-Museum area and Carmel Parish between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. from 7 to 29 February. As for another highlight in the event, the 3D mapping show “Cinderella’s Glass Slipper” is staged to express heartwarming wishes to residents and visitors at the Amphitheater of the Taipa Houses-Museum between 12 and 22 February, a period which covers Valentine’s Day, the 7th day of Lunar New Year known as “Human’s Birthday”, as well as Chinese Lantern Festival, a traditional occasion celebrated by Chinese lovers. Themed as “Cinderella’s Glass Slipper”, the 3D mapping show is staged from 7 p.m. until the last show at 9:55 p.m. each night during the aforementioned period. The story of Cinderella comes to life in a brand-new way through an extravaganza of lights. The story is about a prince who travels through time to meet his girl again in Macao on Valentine’s Day. The prince helps the girl to put on her glass slipper, and they live happily ever after, with sweet blessings showered upon every resident and visitor. An interactive game is also available after each round of 3D mapping show, with the last game presented at 9:40 p.m. The game combines bicycle generators and 3D projection mapping techniques, allowing participants to weave their own romantic fairytale. The Office rolled out “Macao Light Festival 2015 - Journey of Lights” last December, a spectacular event that went widely popular with positive feedback received. Following the success, MGTO brings on another lighting extravaganza at the Taipa Houses-Museum area and numerous attractions nearby, hoping to enrich the calendar of festive activities on Taipa and also create beautiful memories in the heart of visitors and residents this festive season of joy and love. In the days ahead, MGTO will keep up its efforts to organize a diversity of events and activities, as well as strengthen the partnership between tourism, culture and sports to radiate a greater synergistic effect, hoping to let visitors experience the city in various styles. The Office will also keep assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of the events and festivals, while hearing ideas and suggestions from various circles in the society. The Office will be dedicated to achieving a balance between the needs of residents and visitors, striving for the best and widening the public’s participation. On top of the above endeavors, the Office will look into the possibilities of rolling out more fun, innovative and colorful events in various local districts at different times of the year, hoping to gain the support and love of residents and visitors alike. This press release is available at: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/
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The Government would formulate a detailed plan to conserve and where possible restore the pavilion and relics damaged in a suspected accidental fire at A-Ma Temple. It is estimated by the Cultural Affairs Bureau that the basic work would take two to three months. The likely timetable was announced after several site visits and meetings with the management board of the Temple. It might take at least one year to repair fully the structure and interior of the affected pavilion, which is A-Ma Temple’s main pavilion, added the Bureau. The Government would give its full support to the Temple’s management during the restoration process. The help would include: providing a thorough fire safety inspection at the Temple; safeguarding the architectural structure of the Temple and protecting its surroundings; and providing advice for the restoration work. The fire broke out early on Wednesday morning, resulting in severe damage to a temple altar, some wall plaques, inscribed tablets and some wooden furniture. The main structure of the affected pavilion – including its main beams, walls and roof – was slightly damaged, but can comfortably be repaired. The statue of the Goddess A-Ma – the item of greatest historical value in the damaged pavilion – suffered no major damage, the Bureau said. The suspected cause of the fire was a malfunction of electrical equipment. The affected pavilion of A-Ma Temple remains closed until further notice. The Government is highly concerned about this incident and calls on all owners, managers or staff at Macao’s heritage sites to ensure they are properly protected. They are asked to pay particular attention to electrical safety. A-Ma Temple is an important part of the Historic Centre of Macao, which is included on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
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The Cinematheque．Passion under the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) will host a second talk this year entitled “How film festivals are organised”, conducted by Hong Kong professional filmmaker Jonathan Hung, to be held on Saturday, 27 February, from 3 to 5pm. Admission is free. Hong Kong critic and filmmaker Jonathan Hung, who has years of experience in film festival organisation, will discuss with the audience how to design, plan and organise film festivals with distinctive character. Topics of the talk include criteria for film selection, programme planning, film renting, screening venues, ticketing, promotion and education. Hung is currently director of InD Blue (Hong Kong) and InDPanda International Film Festival. He has started writing film and theatre critique in several newspapers, magazines and columns since 1997. He was a development manager at the Film and Video Department of the Hong Kong Arts Centre and participated in ifva Festival and the release of independent films in Asia. Seats are limited. All interested parties are welcome to enrol in the above-mentioned talk via email (info.dpicc@icm.gov.mo) indicating as subject ‘Enrolment for the talk “How film festivals are organised”’, as well as providing respective name, contact number and contact email, by 26 February (Friday) at 12pm. For enquiries regarding the talk or the Cinematheque, please contact Mr. Leong though tel. no. (853) 2892 4040 during office hours. For details, please visit the Cultural Affairs Bureau website (www.icm.gov.mo) or the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website (www.macaucci.com).
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