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In order to improve interdepartmental services and realize the idea of one-stop-services of the SAR Government, citizens who have collected the Residence Certificate or the Receipt of Residence Authorization issued by the Public Security Police Force at the Government Services Centre in Areia Preta can lodge the application for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card in the same location. The above-mentioned application service targets on holders of “Permit for Proceeding to Hong Kong and Macao” who have been granted residence authorization, and persons who are granted the renewal of residence authorization by the Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. The above-mentioned persons can apply for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card in the same place right after collecting the Residence Certificate or the Receipt of Residence Authorization Renewal issued by the Public Security Police Force at the Government Services Centre in Areia Preta, without the need to proceed to the Identification Services Bureau. Besides, citizens who lodged the application at the Government Services Centre can also collect their documents in the same location. The new measure not only reduces the number of visit that citizens have to pay to government departments, but also shortens the time to go through the relevant formalities. The Identification Services Bureau will continue to enhance interdepartmental services, expand the service scope and study the possibility to introduce more convenient measures for Macao citizens.
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To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Macau International Airport, Macao Post announced that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at Airport Post Office, from 9:00 to 18:00 on 8th December 2015 to provide the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Macau International Airport”. A commemorative envelope with stamp will be distributed to public. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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The development of “Dawan area” and the strengthening of cooperation on tourism are two major initiatives in the development of collaboration between Macao and Shenzhen in the coming year, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said today. This will further help the two cities to integrate their economies under the path set out in the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan and the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (also known as the “Belt and Road” initiative), Mr Leong said. The Secretary was speaking to reporters this afternoon in Shenzhen following the Shenzhen-Macao Cooperation Conference 2015. The annual Conference for officials from the two cities was chaired by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, and the Mayor of Shenzhen, Mr Xu Qin. Before the press briefing, Mr Chui and Mr Xu witnessed the signing of a memorandum on promoting development of “Dawan area” – a logistics hub in coastal areas covering Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao – and the signing of a bilateral memorandum on tourism. The memorandum on “Dawan area” was signed by Mr Leong and the Vice Mayor of Shenzhen, Mr Ai Xuefeng. The memorandum on tourism was signed by a representative of Macau Government Tourist Office and a representative of Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sport and Tourism. Highlights of the planned collaboration on tourism include: the strengthening of communication regarding a taskforce on the subject; and promoting multi-destination travel covering Hong Kong, Macao and Shenzhen, said Mr Leong. Other milestones in the next phase of bilateral cooperation include: advancing regional cooperation via policies favouring the Qianhai-Shekou Area in Shenzhen, a part of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ); reinforcing cultural exchanges to boost other cooperation opportunities in related areas; and creating a mechanism for boosting exchanges in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry, in education, and in inspection and quarantine procedures. Mr Leong said the FTZ in the Qianhai-Shekou Area in Shenzhen is a major opportunity for bilateral cooperation about and between young entrepreneurs. He said his team was analysing the measures that would be needed in order to support Macao businesses in extending their activities to the three FTZs in Guangdong – Qianhai-Shekou, Hengqin, and Nansha – through Macao’s Young Entrepreneurs Aid Scheme. Taking advantage of Macao’s bridging role between the Portuguese-speaking countries and the mainland, the two neighbouring cities – Macao and Shenzhen – would establish closer ties on trade, finance, culture and creative industries, thus consolidating achievements made over the past years, said Mr Leong. Mr Xu also attended the press briefing. He said Shenzhen welcomed more Macao businesses – in fields such as finance, logistics, legal services, accounting, and architect services – to set up operations in Qianhai, a move that would further liberalise trade in services between Guangdong and Macao. The Shenzhen Government would also continue to optimise platforms and mechanisms for cooperation on education, culture, tourism, environmental protection, and inspection and quarantine procedures, added Mr Xu. Later in the evening, the Chief Executive had a meeting with the Secretary of Shenzhen CPC Municipal Committee, Mr Ma Xingrui. Mr Chui told Mr Ma that the two memoranda signed today would bring Macao-Shenzhen cooperation to a new, higher level. Macao would make use of its special advantages in the fields of tourism and culture in order to help create fresh opportunities for the country as a whole, he added. The Chief Executive said the Government attached great importance in helping young entrepreneurs to set up businesses, noting that the successful experience of Shenzhen would help Macao enhance its own policies in support of economic development opportunities for young people. Macao officials attending the meetings in Shenzhen included the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the President of the Administrative Council of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Mr Vong Iao Lek; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng; and the Consultant of the Chief Executive’s Office, Mr Kou Chin Hung. Officials representing the Shenzhen Government in today’s events included: Member of the Standing Committee of Shenzhen CPC Municipal Committee and Director of the Administrative Committee of Qianhai-Shekou FTZ, Mr Tian Fu; the Secretary General of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, Mr Li Tingzhong; and the Director-General of Qianhai Management Authority, Mr Du Peng. The Shenzhen-Macao Cooperation Conference was established in 2006 as a platform for annual meetings between officials from Macao and Shenzhen. It aims to push for mutual development in areas such as culture and creative industries, finance, traditional Chinese medicine, tourism, education and trade liberalisation under the framework of the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).
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As one of the activities celebrating the 16th anniversary of Macao’s handover to China and the 10th Anniversary of the inscription of “The Historic Centre of Macao” on the World Heritage List, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and other governmental and non-governmental organisations jointly hold the ‘Parade through Macao, Latin City’ on Sunday, 6 December. In order to entreat success to the event , IC has organised a worship ceremony including a lion dance performance held by today (2 December), at the Largo da Companhia de Jesus, attracting many spectators in a cheerful and lively atmosphere. The worship ceremony was attended by Vice-President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Chan Peng Fai; Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; President of the Macao Sport Development Board, José Maria da Fonseca Tavares; Deputy Commissioner of the Fire Services Bureau, Leong Iok Sam; Vice-Presidents of the Macao Sport Development Board, Pun Weng Kun and Lao Cho Un; Head of the Department of Cultural Activities and Recreation of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Choi Chi Hong; Chief of the Department of Youth of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Un Hoi Cheng; President of the Macao Association for the Promotion of Exchange Between Asia-Pacific and Latin America, Gary Ngai Mei Cheong; Director of the Communications Division of TDM, S.A., Andy Ho; Vice President of the Commercial Department of Air Macau, Liao Hanxi; President of Executive Committee of the União Geral das Associações dos Moradores de Macau, Leong Heng Kao and President of the Macao Sam Pa Mun Residents Mutual Aid Association, Che Mei Leng. In order to wish the Parade all success, the organiser invited the event coordinating staff, the supporting entities and representatives of the performing groups to attend the worship ceremony. This year’s Parade is themed “Fantastic VIVA Treasure Hunt Adventure”, in which VIVA will lead participants to through three secret areas, starting from the Ruins of St. Paul's. Three young local illustrators, Eric Fok Hoi Seng, Un Chi Wai and Lam Ieong Kun will demonstrate the power of their design through exquisite decorations and creative characters along the route, paving a fantastic journey of adventure for citizens and tourists. Nearly 1,500 performers from over 50 local and foreign groups will present fabulous performances, entertaining and cheering the citizens. The Parade will end in Tap Seac Square, where participants will celebrate the handover through the power of ‘Peace, Love and Cultural Integration’. Two public seating areas will be located on both sides of Tap Seac Square so the public can watch the performance clearly and comfortably. In order to promote the highlights of this year’s Parade, IC has launched the activity “Find the Treasure and be Eligible to Win Plane Tickets” to enable the public to feel the fun and happiness of the Parade. Meanwhile, the Parade will be broadcast on TDM, Teledifusão de Macau S.A., and TDM HD from 4pm to 7pm, while a Parade Special programme dedicated to the event’s highlights will be broadcast at 7pm on 15 December on Hong Kong TVB Jade Channel to allow audiences to review the best moments of the event. In addition, ‘Face-painting Workshops’ will be set up at Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro and Rua de Sanches de Miranda again this year allowing the participants to have their faces painted, thereby increasing their engagement in the festivities. A Parade photography contest will also be open for the public to participate. The Parade counts on the support of many associations. Special traffic arrangements like temporary road closure of the Parade route will take place on the day of the event, with first-aid posts and service stations arranged along the route. There will also be a giant balloon performance, and therefore unmanned aerial devices are not allowed in order to guarantee public safety. For more information, please access IC’s Parade website at www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade, the page of the Parade on Facebook www.facebook.com/macaoparade or the Parade WeChat account (search ‘ICmacao’ on the WeChat platform).
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The 2015 “Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System” (MORS) Gold Pin Competition Award Presentation Ceremony was held today at the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT). Mr. Lau Wai Meng, Deputy Director of Labour Affairs Bureau, Ms. Betty Fok, Head of Destination Marketing Department of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), Mr. Lei Pou Loi, President of Macao Hotelier Association and the representative of Grand Lisboa Hotel will present awards to the winners. This year, there are 10 sessions of competitions and 290 participants from 31 organisations altogether, including Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen), Bartender, Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate level), Chinese Cook - Dim Sum (Intermediate Level), Concierge and Bell Attendant, Front Desk Agent/Customer Relations Officer, Security Officer for Tourism and Gaming Industry, Room Attendant, Waiter/Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service) and Waiter/Waitress (Western Restaurant Service). The final round of the competitions was held on 23 and 25 November at IFT and Grand Lisboa Hotel respectively. The competition adapted a process of elimination, with 3 rounds of contests for each competition. The first 2 rounds of contests were held in forms of written examination and skill evaluation according to the fundamental knowledge covered in the MORS training manuals. Participants without MORS certificates needed to go through the first round. In order to be admitted to the second round, the contestants must reach a minimum score of 75%, and compete with those who possess the certificate. Contestants with excellent performances in the second round from each competition will be invited to join the final and given the certificates. Contestants aimed at the 2 winning positions in each competition. Juries formed by over 30 respectful executives from the industry observed closely and assessed the contestants for the final winners. Winners would receive a MORS Gold Pin, MOP6,000 cash award and a scholarship of MOP2,000 for THS training courses. Launched in 2001, Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System (MORS) is a joint effort of the Tourism Industry of Macao and IFT with the main objective to upgrade human resources in the industry through the introduction of a certification scheme for a number of professions. At this moment, skills standards are introduced for the following occupations:  Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen)  Bartender  Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Elementary)  Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate)  Chinese Cook – Cantonese Dim Sum (Elementary)  Chinese Cook – Cantonese Dim Sum (Intermediate)  Concierge and Bell Attendant  Customer Relations Officer  Front Desk Agent  Retail Sales Officer  Room Attendant  Security Officer for Tourism and Gaming Industry  Travel Consultant  Waiter / Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service)  Waiter / Waitress (Western Restaurant Service)  Floral Designer  Western Pastry and Bakery Chef To reward and demonstrate outstanding MORS recognised professionals, IFT has been organising the Gold Pin Competition since 2002. Participants can be Entry-level Professionals sent by each training centre or they can be entering by themselves. Gold Pin Competition final round contests examine contestants on their practical skills and details are as follows: Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen) Within 120 minutes, contestants have to prepare a starter and a main course with the main ingredient of a chicken. They have to present two identical dishes for each –one for judging and one for display. Contestants will be given a whole chicken with the brand LANGUIRU and its weight is approx.1.6 KG(1600 Grams) for cooking the main course. Contestants and dishes will be judged on various criteria from kitchen management skills, hygiene and safety practices, workflows, preparation, technical skills, creativity, dish presentation, degree of wastage and flavor. Bartender Within a time frame, contestants had to create a cocktail for 2 persons with the theme of Winter Lover, followed by a secret cocktail tasting and technical skills test. The jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills including taste, presentation, cocktail name and colour of the cocktail, and creativity, technical skill, showmanship and speed of the contestants. Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate level) Contestants had to prepare 3 dishes and 1 soup for 2 adults and 1 child within 90 minutes. Jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills, creativity, organisational skills, hygiene, taste, presentation and consistency. Chinese Cook – Dim Sum (Intermediate level) Contestants had to prepare 4 types of specific dim sum including one type of traditional dim sum specified by IFT. The time frame for preparation was 2 hours. Jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills, creativity, organisational skills, hygiene, taste, presentation and consistency. Concierge and Bell Attendant A total of 2 rounds of quizzes and a final presentation are used to determine the potential highest scorers. The final part, which is a story telling section, we would like to hear the personal opinions from the finalists about a topic, which is “how are we going to maximize the hotel revenue?” each contestant is given 3 minutes to talk about this topic in front of all the audiences (No Powerpoint slides are needed for the presentation). Judges will then base on various criteria, such as words being used, communication skill, presentation skill, in-depth of the topic, etc. to decide the best contestant. Front Desk Agent/Customer Relations Officer A total of 2 rounds of quizzes are used to determine the potential highest scorers. The final part, which is a storytelling section, we would like to hear from the contestants about their personal opinion in one particular topic, “what have you done to exceed your guest’s expectation”. Each contestant is given 3 minutes to present oneself in front of all the audiences (No Powerpoint slides are needed for the presentation). Judges will then base on various criteria, such as words being used, communication skill, presentation skill, in-depth of the topic, etc. to decide the best contestant. Retail Sales Officer Finalists were asked to do a product presentation/demonstration. Their skills to handle complain were also been assessed. Room Attendant The participants were tested about their techniques of bed making competition (within 15 minutes) and turn down service (within 10 minutes). The theme of turn down service will be “Just Married”. The jury team assessed the contestants on their knowledge, speed and quality of work. Security Officer for Tourism and Gaming Industry Quiz Bee and a fire control technical skills competition was adopted in the final round. Questions were designed to test the contestants’ job knowledge, skill, guest relations, language and listening competence, etc. In the fire control technical skills competition, contestants will be asked to do one of the tasks assigned by IFT and judges will base on skills, speed, procedure, Occupation Safety and Health to score the contestants. Waiter / Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service) Contestants were asked to present suitable dishes to customers in a particular scenario in 20 minutes for the first part and then go through a food serving process in the second part. Assessment was based on contestants’ s sales techniques; product knowledge; communication skills; presentation skills and listening skill etc to score the first part, and correctness of using proper tools, workflow, techniques, hygiene, speed, quality of work for the second part. Waiter / Waitress (Western Restaurant Service) Contestants were requested to perform a western restaurant table set-up (Rectangular Table, 4 pax) within a certain time frame. Juries based on performance related to the evaluation standard of the contestants’ hygiene standard, western restaurant table set-up skills and their grooming. 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 85 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 the most 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). MORS Gold Pin Competition 2015 – Gold Pin Winners ASSISTANT COOK (WESTERN KITCHEN) BERK BARLAS – GRAND LISBOA HOTEL FONG JUN KEET – SANDS COTAI CENTRAL BARTENDER JINTAMUTTA PANUWAT – GALAXY MACAU WONG KIN SENG – GRAND EMPEROR HOTEL CHINESE COOK – CANTONESE CUISINE (INTERMEDIATE LEVEL) AO KIN SAN – STARWORLD HOTEL KWAN WING FAT – MGM MACAU CHINESE COOK – CANTONESE DIM SUM (INTERMEDIATE LEVEL) WANG BAOAN – GALAXY MACAU WU FALIN – GALAXY MACAU CONCIERGE AND BELL ATTENDANT TAM KAI IN – SHERATON MACAO HOTEL, COTAI CENTRAL XU JINSHEN – GRAND LISBOA HOTEL FRONT DESK AGENT / CUSTOMER RELATIONS OFFICER FENG JIALI – MGM MACAU XUE YINGYING – GALAXY MACAU ROOM ATTENDANT YANG ZHENGCHONG – HOTEL OKURA MACAU ZHANG SHUZHEN – MGM MACAU SECURITY OFFICER FOR TOURISM AND GAMING INDUSTRY LEONG VAI KWONG – MGM MACAU WONG KUOK PONG – GRAND EMPEROR HOTEL WAITER AND WAITRESS (CHINESE RESTAURANT SERVICE) LIN XIAOLU – MGM MACAU XUE YACHANG – GRAND LISBOA HOTEL WAITER AND WAITRESS (WESTERN RESTAURANT SERVICE) LIU CHEN – SHERATON MACAO HOTEL, COTAI CENTRAL WANG MAN – GRAND LISBOA HOTEL
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On 1 December 2015, the Macao SAR Electronic Identity Card was awarded the Radiant eID Award by the Asia Pacific Smart Card Association (hereinafter abbreviated to APSCA). The award has been presented at the 11th Asian Government Forum on Electronic Identity in Dhaka, Bangladesh. APSCA is a non-profit, independent association for organizations in the smart card industry in the Asia Pacific region. The Association delivers information, consultancy, guidance and networking to corporations and government organizations, including smart card scheme operators and suppliers. The award that the Identification Services Bureau received is the Radiant Service Award. This award is for a public sector electronic identity scheme that has consistently delivered exemplary services to citizens and residents over a period of at least 5 years. Judges assessed the submissions of the candidates from the perspective of citizens and looked for electronic identity scheme that have not only provided broader and more efficient access to government but also made life easier and more convenient for citizens and residents. The Identification Services Bureau thanks APSCA for awarding the Radiant Service Award to the Macao SAR Electronic Identity Card. This award represents the recognition of the smart card industry to the technology and applications of the Macao SAR Electronic Identity Card. The issuance of electronic identity cards creates favorable criteria for the Macao SAR Government to provide diversified electronic services to Macao citizens through electronic identity card. In the future, citizens will be able to use more electronic public services with their electronic identity card. It will help citizens to save time and add convenience to their daily lives.
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Consumer Council conducted its first‘Supermarket price survey’ in December on 2 December 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. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. 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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The University of Macau’s (UM) Portuguese Debating Team recently won the second prize at the Sixth MPI Portuguese Debating Competition for Higher Education Institutions in China and Asia. The UM team was the only team from Macao to secure a top-three position at the competition. Winners of the first prize and the third prize are Beijing Foreign Studies University and Shanghai International Studies University, respectively. Co-organised by Macao Polytechnic Institute (IPM) and the Tertiary Education Services Office of Macao SAR, this year’s competition attracted students from 11 universities and colleges in Asia, including Beijing International Studies University, the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Hanoi University in Vietnam, IPM, Jilin Huaqiao Foreign Languages Institute, the Macau University of Science and Technology, Sichuan International Studies University, and the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. The UM team was led by Chan Chi Keong from UM’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities (FAH) and Choi Kai Yau College. The other two team members are Leong Kin Man from the Faculty of Law and Choi Kai Yau College, and Yang Yu from the FAH and Moon Chun Memorial College. The team coordinator was Francisco Antunes from UM’s Department of Portuguese.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) once again rolled out the “Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme” (QTSAS) targeting the catering sector this year and in parallel with that, hosted a QTSAS Awards Gala Dinner tonight (1 December) to present the “Star Merchant Award” to 84 qualified merchants in 2015 as well as the “Service Star Award” to four of them. MGTO Director, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; President of the Institute for Tourism Studies, Fanny Vong; President of the Executive Committee of the Consumer Council, Wong Hon Neng; MGTO Deputy Directors, Cecilia Tse and Cheng Wai Tong; Department Head of Technical Support of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Salina Wong Pou I; President of the Supervisory Committee of Macau Hotel Association, Noel Wong; President of the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macao, Chan Chak Mo; President of the Board of Directors of Association of Macau Small and Medium Enterprise of Catering, Ieong Weng Seng as well as Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, Michael P. H. Lam were present at the Awards Gala Dinner together with other guests. Senna Fernandes encourages local trade to keep going for training Director Senna Fernandes expressed in her speech that in light of the Belt and Road Initiative, Macau is prepared to welcome tourists from a broader diversity of market segments in the future. She encouraged members of local trade to keep upgrading themselves through training and greet visitors with warm hospitality and professional knowledge. She also welcomed local businesses to develop creative ideas and let both residents and visitors enjoy a greater variety of products and highly-rated services. She hopes that local industry partners will continue to join and support the Scheme, together foster quality improvement of local tourism services and build up a positive destination image in line with Macau’s goal to become a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. 84 catering merchants received Star Merchant Award 2015 Launched last year, the QTSAS targets the catering industry once again in 2015. Based on license categorization, MGTO has set up four categories including “Deluxe Restaurant”, “First Class Restaurant”, “Second Class Restaurant” and “Food and Beverage Establishments” in the Scheme. A total of 88 merchants entered into the assessments. During the six-month process, the participating businesses were given two types of assessments, namely “Mystery Shopping Assessment” and “Service Management System Audit” with regard to their frontline service and management level. This year, 84 qualified merchants received the “Star Merchant Award” in recognition of their high-quality tourism services. Four of them were also entitled to the “Service Star Award” because of the highest score they received in their respective category. Including this year’s award winners, nearly 170 catering merchants are qualified as “Star Merchant” by far. Each award-winning merchant in the QTSAS is presented an accreditation certificate, shop-window sticker and badge of “Star Merchant Award”, for them to show to customers their ability and commitment to provide high-quality tourism services. Valid for a period of three years, the accreditation helps the merchants to better promote their service as well. QTSAS for both catering businesses and travel agencies in 2016 Dedicated to “enhance tourism service quality as well as strengthen industry training and management” as one of its main goals this year, MGTO organized the QTSAS once again. The objective of the Scheme is not only to establish service quality standards for tourism industry but also to support and encourage them to upgrade their services. The Scheme also aims to recognize tourism businesses for their outstanding services and excellent service management. QTSAS has given out two accolades namely “Star Merchant Award” and “Service Star Award”. With the Scheme targeting the catering industry in both 2014 and 2015, the Office plans to carry out the QTSAS for not only local catering sector but also travel agencies in 2016, while studying the possibilities to extend the Scheme to other tourism-related industries as well. “Star Merchant Award” – Restaurants and Eateries Guide MGTO has held an array of supporting activities for the Scheme this year including an explanation session about the QTSAS assessment criteria and a mid-term session for participating merchants to evaluate and share their progress. The Office has also provided a series of training workshops for frontline staff about attitudes for customer service and skills of handling demanding customers. In addition, MGTO keeps promoting the scheme via its website, monthly publication “What’s On”, promotional video as well as bus advertisements, etc. The Office has also produced the “Star Merchant Award” – Restaurants and Eateries Guide for distribution at various Tourist Information counters. Information about the award-winning merchants is listed in the “Star Merchant Award” – Restaurants and Eateries Guide. Printed copies will be available at MGTO’s Tourist Information counters soon. The list of award-winning merchants is also available to the public on MGTO’s website: www.macautourism.gov.mo. MGTO will carry on the Scheme and organize more training sessions which cater for tourism industry and other related sectors in partnership with local trade and training institutes, to foster quality improvement of tourism services and support Macau’s goal to become a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said today the year-on-year fall in casino gaming revenue recorded in November was in line with the Government’s expectation. The Secretary made the comment this morning after the swearing-in of the new Director of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, Mr Paulo Martins Chan. According to official data released by the Bureau today, casino gaming revenue in November amounted to 16.425 billion patacas. Mr Leong noted that November was usually the weakest month of the year for casino gaming revenue. In the past few years, November had registered casino gaming revenue tallies that were between 3 billion patacas and 6 billion patacas lower than the preceding month, he said. Casino gaming revenue in October this year was approximately 20 billion patacas, he noted. Mr Leong said the Government would continue to pay close attention to the jobs market during the ongoing period of gaming consolidation, noting that the unemployment rate had slightly increased so far this year to 1.9 percent from 1.7 percent. Given the stable employment opportunities available in Macao and the local business environment, the Government expected the unemployment rate would stay within 2 percent in the coming year, he said. Regarding Macao’s gross domestic product, he said the Government expected it would drop 20 percent in full-year 2015 compared to last year, due to the year-on-year reduction in revenue from the gaming industry. The Secretary said the inclusion of China’s currency – the yuan – in the International Monetary Fund’s Special Drawing Rights (SDR) basket, with effect from 1 October, 2016, would be a positive factor for the country’s further integration in the global economy. The influence of this development on Macao could not be precisely measured at the moment, said Mr Leong. Macao’s currency – the pataca – is indirectly pegged to the U.S. dollar via an association with the Hong Kong dollar. The Macao Government would closely monitor any fluctuation in relevant exchange rates and analyse their short- and long-term influence on Macao, said Mr Leong, noting that goods in Macao were mainly imported from the mainland. Regarding recent mention – during discussion in the Legislative Assembly of the Government’s Policy Address for Fiscal Year 2016 – of the possibility of issuing “consumption vouchers” in order to boost the local economy, the Secretary said the Government would closely study the possibility. He said matters such as the usage, distribution, possible beneficiaries and cost to public funds of such a scheme, would have to be clearly defined.
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