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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total spending (excluding gaming expenses) of visitors amounted to MOP 14.79 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016, up by 13.3% year-on-year and 1.0% quarter-to-quarter. Total spending of overnight visitors (MOP 12.02 billion) and same-day visitors (MOP 2.77 billion) went up by 15.8% and 3.6% respectively year-on-year. For the whole year of 2016, total spending of visitors reached MOP 52.66 billion, up by 3.0% from MOP 51.13 billion in 2015; total spending of overnight visitors (MOP 42.10 billion) increased by 4.8% while that of same-day visitors (MOP 10.56 billion) dropped by 3.6%.In the fourth quarter of 2016, per-capita spending of visitors was MOP 1,830, up by 10.2% year-on-year and 1.3% from the previous quarter (MOP 1,806). Per-capita spending of visitors from Mainland China rose by 11.3% year-on-year to MOP 2,157, with spending of those from Guangdong Province (MOP 1,839) and Fujian Province (MOP 1,596) rising by 12.9% and 17.0% respectively. Per-capita spending of Mainland visitors travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) reached MOP 2,431, up by 3.5% year-on-year. Meanwhile, per-capita spending of visitors from Singapore (MOP 1,836) increased by 5.9% year-on-year, while spending of those from Thailand (MOP 1,086) dropped by 25.1%. Among the long-haul visitors, per-capita spending of visitors from Australia (MOP 1,467) and the United States (MOP 1,371) increased year-on-year, while spending of those from the United Kingdom (MOP 1,229) recorded decrease.Moreover, per-capita spending of overnight visitors increased by 2.4% year-on-year to MOP 2,798, with spending of those from Mainland China (MOP 3,260) and Taiwan (MOP 3,100) rising by 0.6% and 6.6% respectively year-on-year. Per-capita spending of same-day visitors went up by 11.2% year-on-year to MOP 731, with spending of those from Mainland China (MOP 906) increasing by 14.3%.With regard to type of spending, visitors spent mainly on shopping (44.3%), accommodation (26.9%) and food & beverage (20.8%). Per-capita shopping spending increased by 6.1% year-on-year to MOP 811, of which spending on local food products (MOP 232) and cosmetics & perfume (MOP 186) rose by 6.7% and 22.3% respectively. Analysed by main purpose of visit, visitors coming to Macao for shopping and for MICE events had relatively high per-capita spending, at MOP 2,832 and MOP 2,826, up by 9.8% and 25.4% respectively year-on-year.For the whole year of 2016, per-capita spending of visitors was MOP 1,701, up by 2.2% from MOP 1,665 in 2015. Per-capita spending of same-day visitors rose by 3.7% year-on-year to MOP 693, while that of overnight visitors dropped by 4.5%, at MOP 2,681. Analysed by countries and places, visitors from Mainland China had the highest per-capita spending, at MOP 1,975, up marginally by 0.5% year-on-year, with spending of IVS visitors falling by 1.4% to MOP 2,260. Meanwhile, per-capita spending of visitors from Singapore (MOP 1,773) and Japan (MOP 1,708) went up by 2.8% and 12.1% respectively year-on-year. Per-capita spending of those from Australia (MOP 1,438) increased year-on-year, while spending of those from the United States (MOP 1,262) and the United Kingdom (MOP 1,242) declined.Per-capita shopping spending of visitors in 2016 decreased by 2.4% year-on-year to MOP 744 (43.7% of per-capita spending), of which spending on local food products and cosmetics & perfume accounted for 29.5% and 21.1% respectively. Meanwhile, per-capita spending on accommodation (MOP 463) and food & beverage (MOP 355) rose by 9.3% and 3.2% respectively year-on-year. Analysed by main purpose of visit, per-capita spending of visitors coming to Macao for MICE events reached MOP 2,700, up by 10.1% year-on-year; the corresponding proportion of visitors made up merely 0.7% of the total, yet representing a year-on-year increase of 0.3 percentage points.According to the results of the Visitors’ Comments Survey, 89.7% of the visitor-users in the fourth quarter of 2016 were satisfied with the services and facilities of hotels, down slightly by 0.8 percentage points quarter-to-quarter; the proportion of visitors who expressed satisfaction with services of gaming establishments rose by 1.3 percentage points to 84.8%. Meanwhile, more than half of the visitors (51.3%) commented that the points of tourist attractions were adequate, up notably by 6.3 percentage points quarter-to-quarter. For the whole year of 2016, the proportions of visitors who were satisfied with the services and facilities of hotels (90.1%) and services of travel agencies (85.3%) were the highest, up by 1.5 and 2.1 percentage points respectively year-on-year, while the proportion of those who expressed satisfaction with the services of gaming facilities (84.2%) remained stable. Meanwhile, a relatively low proportion of visitors were satisfied with the services of public transport (69.4%), down by 3.3 percentage points year-on-year. Moreover, 44.8% of visitors commented that the points of tourist attractions were adequate, up by 2.3 percentage points year-on-year.
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This number of the Review of Culturefeatures a compilation of articles devoted to this remarkable figure, founder of the D. Melchior Carneiro Institute, and to the leading role he played in Macanese society for half a century. Educator, historian and writer, Benjamin Videira Pires, S.J. is here honoured by Jorge A. H. Rangel, Aureliano Barata, António Aresta, Ana Cristina Alves, Celina Veiga de Oliveira, Jorge Bruxo, Maria de Lurdes Escaleira and Jorge de Abreu Arrimar. An article on the categorization of the Early Literature of Macao and the role of Tang Xianzu, by Cai Jiehua and Roderich Ptak, introduces a new chapter devoted to literature, where as well the novel Os Doresby Henrique de Senna Fernandes, serves as a subject of study for the two academics to produce an insight into Macao.The Asian discovery of the Great South Land and the sandalwood trade Timor-Macao are issues discussed by Geoffrey Gunn in the chapter that concludes this number.TheReview of Culture (RCI), published by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, is available at the Portuguese Bookstore, Cultural Plaza, Seng Kwong Bookstore, Macao Archives and Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre. It is also available for consultation at the Central Library, at the Archive of Macao and at the libraries of Macao universities.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals in January 2017 increased by 17.6% year-on-year to 2,876,046 as the Lunar New Year, that fell in February last year, happened in January this year. Compared to December 2016, visitor arrivals went up by 2.2%. Overnight visitors increased by 18.9% year-on-year to 1,363,046 while same-day visitors rose by 16.4% to 1,513,000. The average length of stay of visitors was 1.1 days, down by 0.1 day year-on-year; the average stay of overnight visitors dropped by 0.1 day to 2.1 days whereas that of same-day visitors remained unchanged at 0.2 day.Visitors from Mainland China increased by 20.4% year-on-year to 1,997,355 in January, with those travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme (1,128,516) surging by 43.8%. Mainland visitors came mainly from Guangdong Province (991,220) and Hunan Province (70,718). Visitors from the Republic of Korea (81,448) and Hong Kong (527,218) both increased by 17.6% while those from Taiwan (84,263) dropped by 2.0%. Long-haul visitors from the United States (15,434), Canada (6,089) and the United Kingdom (4,163) increased year-on-year whereas those from Australia (9,230) decreased.Analysed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by land increased by 19.8% year-on-year to 1,798,536; those arriving through the Border Gate (1,527,153) rose by 15.0% while those through the Checkpoint of Cotai (270,214) soared by 57.3%. Visitor arrivals by sea increased by 14.1% year-on-year to 859,949; those disembarking at the Outer Harbour (551,151) and the Provisional Ferry Terminal in Taipa (308,798) rose by 16.4% and 15.3% respectively. Visitor arrivals by air increased by 13.8% year-on-year to 217,561, with those arriving at the airport (216,775) rising by 13.8%.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals in January 2017 increased by 17.6% year-on-year to 2,876,046 as the Lunar New Year, that fell in February last year, happened in January this year. Compared to December 2016, visitor arrivals went up by 2.2%. Overnight visitors increased by 18.9% year-on-year to 1,363,046 while same-day visitors rose by 16.4% to 1,513,000. The average length of stay of visitors was 1.1 days, down by 0.1 day year-on-year; the average stay of overnight visitors dropped by 0.1 day to 2.1 days whereas that of same-day visitors remained unchanged at 0.2 day.
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Macao would dedicate further effort to boosting trade and investment cooperation and people-to-people exchanges with Fujian Province, in order to make further contributions to the country’s “Belt and Road” initiative.
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Prof Chen Xin from the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau (UM), and Dr Joost J Oppenheim from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), have made significant progress in a collaborative research project on safer and more effective treatment for cancer and autoimmune diseases. They found that targeting tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (TNFR2) can enhance anti-tumour immune responses and kill cancer cells, bringing new hope to cancer patients. The related findings have been published in Science Signaling under Science magazine.Prof Chen has conducted a series of groundbreaking studies on TNFR2’s role in the proper function and proliferation of T lymphocytes. Although counterintuitive and contrary to all previous reports, his research results have been replicated by many research groups from around the world, revolutionising the scientific community’s understanding of the subject. Scientists have been searching for safer and more effective treatment for cancer and autoimmune diseases based on the discoveries made by Prof Chen. A new cancer immunotherapy developed by a research team led by Prof Faustman from Harvard Medical School based on Prof Chen’s research findings has been hailed as one of the most important breakthroughs in tumour research.In addition, Prof Chen has been invited by the Frontiers in Immunology journal to co-edit The Role of TNF-TNFR2 Signal in Immunosuppressive Cells and its Therapeutic Implicationswith Prof Magdalena Plebanski from Monash University in Australia.Prof Chen joined UM in 2014. Prior to that, he was a senior scientist at NCI for 15 years and received the Director's Innovation Award in 2010. Currently he is a research collaborator of the NCI.
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Co-organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macau Artist Society, the “Solo Exhibition by Ho Si Man” will be inaugurated on Sunday, 26 February, at 12pm, at the Lakeside Gallery in the Anim’Arte NAM VAN. The public is welcome to attend and enjoy local artworks.The exhibition will showcase a total of 20 watercolour and acrylic works by Ho Si Man, including categories such as Macao scenery, travelling stories and inner feelings, which cover unrealistic, uncommon, twisted, parallel, tranquil and other themes. The works, specially created for this exhibition, show an abundant imagination and a variety of textures. Ho Si Man is a local female artist of the 1990’s generation; she is currently studying bachelor degree in oil painting. Her artworks have been shown in Mainland China, Korea, France (Paris) and Hong Kong, among other places. She is an executive member of the Youth Committee of the Macau Artist Society and an officer of the Art Club of the International Women Artists Association–Macao.The “Solo Exhibition by Ho Si Man” is open until 26 March, at the Lakeside Gallery in Anim’Arte NAM VAN, located at Nam Van Lakeside Plaza at Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, and is open daily from 11am to 10pm. Admission is free. The exhibition is open to the general public and the artworks are available for sale.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today that protecting the wellbeing of the Macao public was the Government’s prime concern when studying whether to retain smoking lounges in local casinos.Mr Chui made the remarks to reporters this morning at the city’s airport before leaving for Fuzhou Prefecture in Fujian Province for a Fujian-Macao high-level meeting on the development of the “Belt and Road” initiative.Macao’s contribution 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) is part of the city’s strategic development programme.In his remarks before setting off on his trip, Mr Chui reviewed the Government’s efforts to promote a tobacco-smoke-free Macao.He noted the Health Bureau was currently analysing a joint proposal – by the six local gaming operators – regarding a set of higher technical standards for the existing smoking lounges in local casinos.The Chief Executive said the Government had submitted last year a proposed amendment to the Regime on Tobacco Prevention and Control. The amendments related to smoking in casinos, among other topics. The initiative was part of a scheduled review of the tobacco prevention and control regime. Such review was timetabled three years on from original implementation.Last year’s proposal by the Government was now being discussed at the Legislative Assembly.The original version of the Regime on Tobacco Prevention and Control became effective on 1 January 2012. It banned smoking in public indoor areas such as schools, health institutes, workplaces and factories. Since 1 January 2013, smoking has been banned in major public areas in casinos, including mass gaming floors, and in all bars, dance halls, saunas and massage parlours.In other remarks, Mr Chui commented on the appointment in 2015 of former public prosecutor-general, Mr Ho Chio Meng, as the head of a commission for the study of the criminal law system. Subsequently Mr Ho was held by the Macao authorities for investigation.His 2015 appointment was made on the basis of Mr Ho’s experience and ability, the Chief Executive said. For a civil servant to be interviewed by law enforcement authorities did not necessarily mean the person was suspected of any wrongdoing. Mr Chui said he had not been aware – when he made the appointment – that Mr Ho was a subject of an investigation. He noted such types of investigation were typically conducted on a confidential basis.Mr Chui also made comments regarding the redevelopment of the Estrada de Lai Chi Vun area in Coloane – a previous hub for ship repair work. Mr Chui stressed that ensuring public safety was the top priority of the Government when formulating a redevelopment plan for the area.The plan would include conservation measures and efforts to revitalise the surroundings. The scheme as proposed would involve a number of Government departments, Mr Chui added.
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In order to ensure the proper operation of its information technology system, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) will perform regular maintenance on its servers on 25 February (Saturday) from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Therefore, the operation of several web pages will be suspended until the conclusion of the mentioned tasks, including the web pages of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Macao Art Net, Cultural Heritage of Macao, Macao World Heritage, Macao Conservatory, Macao Archives, Macao Museum, IC Press Page, Macao Cultural and Creative Industries, C² Magazine, other sub-pages as well as the respective mobile versions. Besides, IC’s Activity Registration System, news services, activities and the update function on the “WH Macau” mobile application, as well as the operation of the “Macau eBooks” application will also be unavailable during the above mentioned period. The normal operation of the service will resume once the maintenance work is completed.
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Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) is the Macao government department designated to be in charge of the overall co-ordination, promotion and development of Macao´s convention and exhibition industry. This year, IPIM again organised a delegation with representatives from Macao’s convention, exhibition and tourism industries to participate in the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo 2017 (AIME 2017) held in Melbourne, Australia. Through the participation in the event, the set up of a Macao Pavilion, the organisation of a networking cocktail reception filled with Chinese New Year atmosphere and various diverse and interesting means, the delegation aimed to present to Australian as well as international MICE event organisers, senior managers and professionals the strengths of Macao’s convention and exhibition industry, as well as IPIM’s “One-stop Service” for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao. It also aimed to reinforce the liaisons between Macao´s convention, exhibition and tourism operators with their counterparts abroad, as a mean to push forward the development of the industry in Macao.A Macao Pavilion, covering an area of 120 square metres, was set up by IPIM under the theme ““Macao – your business events destination”” at the AIME venue. A promotion counter was set up in the Macao Pavilion to promote IPIM’s services and to handle enquiries. Following the steady development of the MICE industry in Macao and also in response to the increasing demand of local convention and exhibition enterprises in promoting their businesses, the exhibitors in the Macao Pavilion, apart from IPIM, also included 18 hotels, tourism agencies, professional meetings and event organisers, destination management companies, conference service providers. The exhibitors jointly promoted the strengths of Macao´s convention and exhibition industry, in a bid to attract to the city more international MICE-related events. During the two-day event, the Macao Pavilion has arranged over 300 business matching sessions and received enthusiastic feedback. In addition, IPIM´s representatives also participated in more than 20 business matching sessions arranged by the AIME organisers, to discuss with prospective buyers and promote Macao as an ideal destination for conferences and events.In addition to the promotion counter in the Macao Pavilion, IPIM also organised a networking cocktail reception under the theme of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals which was in line with the Lunar New Year in February. Exhibitors of the Macao Pavilion shared Chinese horoscope information with the guests, which on one hand, was a continuity to the festive season and, on the other hand, fostered mutual understanding in an interesting and relaxed atmosphere and promoted co-operation. The cocktail reception attracted more than 50 potential buyers and representatives of the convention and exhibition industry from Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.AIME is one of Asia´s most influential events in the convention and exhibition industry. Last year´s event was participated by over 700 exhibitors and more than 3000 qualified buyers from over 50 countries and regions, and served as an important exchange platform for the convention, exhibition and business tourism operators from around the world.
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