News

In order to provide diversified training opportunities for industry professionals and enhance management quality of the local service industry, Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) and Cornell University School of Hotel Administration co-orgainsed an Executive Development Programme on “Strategic Thinking” on 17 and 18 October. This course focuses on how managers can guide their organisations in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of strategies. The goal is to develop a mastery of the analytical tools to perform analyses of the industry and competitors. The programme attracted 21 participants, including senior executives of local hotels and mega resorts. IFT had the honour of inviting Dr. Michael Oshins from Executive Education faulty of Cornell University to deliver the lecture. Dr. Oshins’ expertise spans across marketing, service quality and human resource management. He is also active in industry consulting practices, speaking engagements and board involvement. Through the programme, participants can improve their skills in thinking strategically about the formulation and implementation of strategies to create value and competitive advantage. IFT is always striving to enhance its teaching and research so as to contribute to the industry and the society. By organising seminars and workshops, IFT constantly shares with the industry the most updated information and research findings about the future development of Macao’s tourism industry and ways to enhance it. Established in 1995, the Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao (IFT) offers the most extensive selection of tourism and hospitality related bachelor degree programmes in Macao, and about twenty thousand participants attend its vocational and professional training courses annually. IFT collaborates with 97 universities and tourism organisations around the world, and builds strong links with 500 leading tourism and hospitality corporations to offer internship opportunities to its students. Being the first institution accredited by the UNWTO.TedQual Certification System for tourism education, IFT has now 8 bachelor degree programmes with the Certification. Currently, the Institute has the most number of bachelor degree programmes certified under the System of any tertiary education establishment worldwide. IFT has received the Medal of Merit in Tourism from the Macao SAR Government, and won twice the Gold Award in ‘Education and Training’ from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
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Consumer Council conducted its second ‘Supermarket price survey’ in October on 18 October for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Iao Hon Market and the Border Gate area (Portas do Cerco ) in N. Sra. de Fátima 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 seven 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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The Government will hold an exhibition of photographs to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dr Sun Yat Sen. The exhibition features a total of 270 historic and valuable photographs and a number of artefacts associated with him. The exhibition will be held from 22 October to 13 November at Macau Forum, a venue on the city’s peninsula. It is part of the Government’s efforts to foster among members of the public a better understanding of Dr Sun Yat Sen, including: his contributions to national independence; to social advancement; to people’s wellbeing; and his relationship with Macao. The exhibition is being hosted by the Government, and is organised by the Chief Executive’s Office and the Government Information Bureau, with cooperation from the Museum of the Former Residence of Dr Sun Yat Sen, in Zhongshang Prefecture, Guangdong Province. The exhibition’s opening ceremony, on 21 October, will be led by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On. The exhibition is divided in two parts. The first aims to explain Dr Sun Yat Sen’s life story, making reference to major historical events and social reform at that time; thereby outlining his visions and goals for the revitalisation of China. The photographs in the first part will give details on how Dr Sun Yat Sen united overseas Chinese in order to contribute to the salvation of China. The second part of the exhibition aims to show Dr Sun Yat Sen’s close relationship with Macao; a place where he worked as a medical doctor, providing the sort of help that was much needed at that time. For Dr Sun Yat Sen, Macao was a doorway to the rest of the world – a base for him to promote his revolutionary ideologies – as well as a place he lived with his family. The exhibition to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dr Sun Yat Sen opens to the public on 22 October, and can be viewed between 10am to 7pm. Admission is free, and guided tours are available during those hours.
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The Government has signed three agreements with the government of Fujian Province during the first Fujian-Macao cooperation meeting held in Macao. The three agreements signed on Monday (17 October) were: the cooperation agreement on strengthening economic and trade cooperation between Fujian and Macao; the memorandum of cooperation on medical and health exchanges between Fujian and Macao; the memorandum of cooperation on strengthening tourism cooperation between the Pingtan General Experimentation Area Tourism Board of Fujian Province and the Macao Government Tourism Office of the Macao Special Administrative Region. The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac – representing the Government in the meeting – said the gathering marked an opportunity for a further optimisation of the mechanism for Fujian-Macao cooperation. The meeting was attended by the Vice Governor of Fujian Province, Mr Liang Jianyong, and officials from that province responsible for supervising the economy, business, tourism, health, finance, education and culture. Macao would use its unique advantages in order to contribute to the country’s development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as “Belt and Road” initiative), said Mr Leong. The Fujian government has the opportunity to make use of Macao’s role as a platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, thereby boosting Fujian’s economic exchanges, trade, and investment with Portuguese-speaking countries, said the Secretary. The Government would intensify the existing Fujian-Macao cooperation model to the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) industry in particular, enhancing the role of environmentally friendly practices and policies in the sector’s operations, said Mr Leong. The Secretary also stated the two places should strengthen and diversify tourism promotion efforts, in order to push forward a multi-destination travel model. Fujian and Macao would additionally explore further the opportunities in maritime tourism, themed around cultural activities related to the goddess A-Ma. Mr Leong said the two sides would strengthen exchanges in cultural affairs, education, and youth affairs, in order to expand cooperation into fields related to the respective livelihoods of the two communities. Officials attending the meeting included: the Deputy Director General of Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Zhu Hong; the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Ms Lok Kit Sim; and the Deputy Secretary General of Fujian Provincial Government, Mr Zhan Zhijie.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council collects prices of fresh pork from wet markets and supermarkets for consumers’ reference on 18 October. The mentioned data collected during 12 October to 18 October are used for comparing the average selling price of the same products from Zhuhai and Hong Kong. The relevant data has been uploaded to the Council’s website for consumers’ reference. The specific price surveys on fresh pork and vegetables are now available on the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), iPhone & Android ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ app, and the Council’s WeChat Account page. The relevant surveys include the average selling prices of local fresh pork and vegetables, and comparison on the respective the average selling prices rom Zhuhai, HK, and Macao. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council collects prices of fresh pork from wet markets and supermarkets for consumers’ reference on 18 October. The mentioned data collected during 12 October to 18 October are used for comparing the average selling price of the same products from Zhuhai and Hong Kong. The relevant data has been uploaded to the Council’s website for consumers’ reference.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the third quarter of 2016 decreased by 3.50% year-on-year to 126.86, a notable slowdown from the drop in the second quarter (-7.00%). The decline was attributable to lower charges for hotel accommodation and reduced prices of airfares that pushed down the price index of Accommodation and Transport & Communications by 15.45% and 14.45% respectively year-on-year. Meanwhile, price index of Miscellaneous Goods and Restaurant Services rose by 4.36% and 2.17% respectively. In comparison with the previous quarter, TPI for the third quarter of 2016 increased by 1.33%, as higher hotel room rates during the summer holidays drove up the price index of Accommodation by 13.23%. On the other hand, price index of Clothing & Footwear dropped by 7.19% quarter-to-quarter due to seasonal sale of handbags and summer clothing. The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the third quarter of 2016 decreased by 5.05% from the previous period, with marked decline being observed in the price index of Accommodation (-19.44%) and Transport & Communications (-6.29%); however, price index of Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco increased by 2.56%. For the first three quarters of 2016, TPI went down by 5.77% year-on-year, with notable decrease in the price index of Accommodation and Transport & Communications, falling by 23.06% and 7.71% respectively. TPI reflects the price change of goods and services purchased by visitors. Sections of TPI goods and services are selected according to the consumption pattern of visitors, namely Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Services; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods.
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To commemorate the Legislative Assembly Building Open Day, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at the Square of Legislative Assembly Building at 10H00 to 18H00 on 22nd October 2016, providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “Legislative Assembly Building Open Day”. A commemorative envelope with stamp priced at MOP6.00 will be issued, and various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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To celebrate the 21st Macao International Trade & Investment Fair, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at Venetian Macao Convention & Exhibition Centre and our Philately Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters during 20th to 22th October 2016 providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “21st Macao International Trade & Investment Fair”. Opening hours as follow: 20/10 Venetian Macao Convention & Exhibition Centre 12:00 to 18:00 Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters 12:00 to 18:00 21-22/10 Venetian Macao Convention & Exhibition Centre 10:00 to 18:00 A commemorative envelope priced at MOP3.00 will be issued, and various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit us and collect Macao Stamps.
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Tickets for Next Month's Grand Prix Now on Sale The Suncity Group 63rd Macau Grand Prix will be held from November 17 to 20 this year. The status of the prestigious Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix has this year been further elevated by the FédérationInternationale de l’Automobile to be the FIA Formula 3 World Cup. With the Macau GT Cup designated the FIA GT World Cup for the second time, Macau becomes the first event in the world to host two FIA World Cups on the same programme. Other exciting events include the Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 50th Edition, Suncity Group Macau GuiaRace 2.0T, CTM Macau Touring Car Cup, Suncity Group Macau Road Sport Challenge, and the Suncity Group Chinese Racing Cup. Racing fans will be familiar with a number of the top competitors who will come to Macao to compete for victory. Tickets for the event are available at www.macauticket.com, and other sales outlets can be found on the official website at www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo. Supercar and motorcycle show and photography and poster design competitions In order to encourage wider participation on Macao’s motorsport carnival, the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee has organised a number of events and activities. On November 12 and 13 at Tap Seac Square, a promotional event will showcase the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix, Macau GT Cup and Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix competition vehicles, as well as a number of classic motorcycles, enabling the public to get a close up look at the racing machinery free of charge. The event will also feature a Grand Prix exhibition and souvenir sales booths. In addition, to encourage Macao residents to participate in the event in a variety of ways, deepen understanding of the competition, enhance residents' support of motorsport and create a harmonious atmosphere, a photographic competition with the theme of the “Suncity Group 63rd Macau Grand Prix”, and a creative / concept poster design contest with a “Macau Grand Prix” theme, have been launched for local photographers, artists and designers to showcase their talents. The top three winners of the two competitions will be awarded MOP8,000, MOP5,000 and MOP3,000 cash prizes respectively in addition to trophies. Seven merit awards will also be chosen in each competition and the winners will each be presented with MOP1,000. The winning entry of the poster design competition has a chance to be the thematic design of the 2017 Macau Grand Prix. Members of the public who are interested in taking part in the competition may submit their entries to the Sports Bureau (Address: Av. Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues, n.o 818, Macao) from October 17, 2016 to November 30. Entries for the photographic competition may also be submitted to the Macau Institute of Photography (Address: No.36, Rua Almirante Costa Cabral R/C – “C", Macao). Application forms and regulations may be obtained from the official Macau Grand Prix website: www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo.
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