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The Global Tourism Economy Forum • Macau 2015 (“GTEF” or “the Forum”) was unveiled solemnly this morning (12 October). As the host of the Forum, the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government specially hosted a grand welcome dinner at Grand Hyatt Macau, City of Dreams tonight as a warm reception for the Forum guests from the Mainland and around the world, and to extend wishes that the discussions tomorrow will generate a wealth of innovative ideas to foster global tourism cooperation. Various prestigious guests marked their presence in the welcome dinner including Mr. Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Forum Chairman of GTEF; Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Mr. Li Jinzao, Chairman of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Mr. Zang Xianfu, Chairman of Tianjin Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Mr. Wang Huizhong, Deputy Secretary of Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China; Mr. Sun Wenyou, Vice Chairman of Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Ms. Sandra Howard Taylor, Vice Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Colombia; Mr. Chen Yixing, Vice Chairman of Fujian Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Mr. Yao Jian, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR; Mr. Cai Siping, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Mr. Leong Vai Tac, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government; Mr. Wang Shangkang, Director of Department of Publicity and Education, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC); Mr. Alejandro Schiavi, Undersecretary of Coordination, Ministry of Tourism, Argentina; Ms. Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF; Mr. Xu Jing, Executive Secretary of the General Assembly and the Executive Council of UNWTO, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at UNWTO as well as Honorary Vice Chairman of GTEF; Mr. David Scowsill, President and Chief Executive Officer of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Honorary Chairman of GTEF as well as Mr. Kevin Murphy, Chairman of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Honorary Vice Chairman of GTEF, among others. Dr. Alexis Tam, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government and Executive Chairman of GTEF, stated in his welcome speech that, since its inauguration in 2012, the Global Tourism Economy Forum has become a significant event for fostering greater networking for top-level tourism leaders and joint research work for development of tourism trends. It also serves as an influential platform for the exploration of major challenges, risks and opportunities for tourism development. This year, the Forum will address key issues relating to the synergy effects from culture and tourism. He added that though Macao is a small city, it is blessed with a ‘east-meets-west’ legacy which has long inspired the city to play a pivotal role in the regional development of tourism industry. With proper site protection, preservation and management, Macao’s cultural heritage is also a core element that fosters tourism development in Macao. The Macao SAR Government will continue generating new momentums to develop Macao as an international tourist destination. Building on the city’s own strengths, the government will work together with stakeholders in the industry on providing more sightseeing attractions and pleasure for visitors. Secretary Tam hopes that this Forum will once again be an event where new alliance is built, new influence is developed and new course of tourism trend is charted. To showcase the cultural vibrancy of the Belt and Road countries, the dinner was decorated with magnificent and melodic performance by Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra from Zhejiang Province, the Forum’s Featured Province. The fourth edition of GTEF will continue its comprehensive program tomorrow (13 October) with a range of in-depth topical panels scheduled. There will also be business matching and networking programs, providing ample opportunities for Forum attendees to exchange ideas and explore new possibilities for tourism business cooperation.
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The Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), through the IFT Tourism Research Centre, hosted the TOURISM 20:20 international symposium on 12 October at IFT new Taipa campus. Scholars, industry executives, and educators in the area of tourism from Macao and around the world attended the event and shared ideas on tourism development over the last 20 years and discussed challenges ahead in the next 2 decades. The symposium is one of the series of events celebrating the 20th anniversary of IFT. During the opening session, Dr. Fanny Vong, President of IFT and Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) welcomed all the delegates, which included more than 120 participants from the academic community and from the industry coming from at least 10 countries and regions. After that, a signing ceremony took place during which the founding (working committee) members of the new Global Research Alliance in Tourism (GReAT) signed a Joint Statement witnessed by the UNWTO Secretary General, Dr. Taleb Rifai, and IFT’s President, Dr. Fanny Vong. The Joint Statement affirms the urgent need to address the most persistent and important research issues, problems, and unresolved questions in tourism on a global scale, through a worldwide network of institutional partners working and pooling together their collective knowledge and resources. The Director of the IFT Tourism Research Centre (ITRC), Professor Leonardo (Don) A.N. Dioko was joined by nine partners from renowned tourism research centres and universities in Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States in signing the Joint Statement. During the symposium, discussants including Mr. Mario Hardy, Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Dr. Yeong-Hyeon Hwang, Chairman, Asia Pacific Tourism Association (APTA), Mr. Xu Jing, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, UNWTO together with Dr. Kamilla Swart, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa reviewed and exchanged ideas on the lessons from the past and challenges for the future of tourism industry. Another session covering the past and future of tourism education and knowledge was discussed by Dr. Niramit Kunanuwat, Suan Dusit University, Thailand, Dean Haemoon Oh, University of South Carolina, US, Professor Noel Scott, Griffith University, Australia, and Professor Christopher Ryan, University of Waikato, New Zealand. About the symposium TOURISM 20:20 international symposium examined tourism development over the last 20 years and looked at the challenges ahead in the next 20. Tourism has progressed tremendously in the last twenty years. Rapid globalisation and integration, technological advances, climate change, the advent of low-cost travel and accommodation, and more open visa policies are but a few of the great changes that shaped travel. While the last two decades brought forth momentous change for all countries and for the travel industry, it also portended great adversity and difficulties on issues of security, freedom to travel, equality and emergent diseases, and conflict. Issues including how has travel changed in the last 20 years, the lessons have been learned, how has the travel industry coped with change, the opportunities and challenges lie ahead among the questions TOURISM 20:20 addressed with the help of a few individuals best placed to share their thoughts, insights, and ideas on the matter. About ITRC As part of its mission, IFT Tourism Research Centre regularly organises and participates in international meetings, symposia, and conferences. ITRC seeks to foster research locally and internationally. Its collaboration with other universities helps bring attention to the most relevant issues about tourism related developments as well as benefit the tourism development of Macao. About IFT 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).
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On 12 October, Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) held a plaque unveiling ceremony to inaugurate its new Taipa campus at the former University of Macau Library. Chief Executive of Macao SAR, Dr. Chiu Sai On, with the witness of Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macao SAR, and Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), unveiled the plaque to inaugurate the new Taipa campus of IFT. The ceremony was also witnessed by the Institute’s staff, students, guests and partners from Macao and overseas, marking an important milestone for the Institute as it is given better conditions to uphold its mission to provide quality education and training. Macao SAR Government has granted IFT the former University of Macau Library, the Staff Quarter building, two laboratories, in addition to the East Asia Hall being granted earlier. The new premises enable IFT to offer a better and more spacious and interactive teaching and learning environment. More programmes and professional courses can be planned to respond to the needs of the industry and the changing industry environment. More local and international students and scholars can also be welcome to further enhance the Institute’s multi-cultural teaching, research and learning environment. New training facilities including a training hotel will be incorporated in the new campus for training and practice. All these serve the ultimate goal of enhancing tourism education and training in Macao, so as to develop competent industry professionals and leaders who will help realise Macao’s vision to become a World Centre for Tourism and Leisure. During the Global Tourism Economy Forum earlier today (12 Oct), Macao SAR Government and United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, to establish a Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training through the involvement of IFT. Once the Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training is set up, both parties will work together to implement projects that include delivering training and education programmes, carrying out joint tourism research projects, and offering technical placement and internship opportunities. The objective of the Centre is to enhance the quality of human capital and increase the competitiveness of tourism destinations (particularly in the Asia Pacific Region) in order to achieve sustainable tourism development in long run. It is hoped that this collaboration will further strengthen Macao’s position as a well-developed tourism destination and will capitalise on Macao’s expertise in tourism education. With the improved conditions provided to IFT, it is believed that the project will achieve the intended results. Established in 1995, the Institute for Tourism Studies 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).
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With the objective of helping local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) develop a bigger and wider customer network, a procurement networking and exchange meeting between exhibitors and local buyers, namely “Business Gathering at Macao Ideas”, was organised by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) at 3 pm on 9 October, at IPIM’s Macao Business Support Centre (MBSC). The event aimed to promote “Made in Macao” products, “Macao Brands”, “Macao Designs” and “Food products from Portuguese-speaking Countries with distribution channels in Macao” to local enterprises, and establish a platform for procurement negotiations. IPIM’s President Jackson Chang attended the event and delivered a welcome speech. According to Mr. Chang, the Macao SAR Government established “Macao Ideas” – the Macao products display centre in May 2011 and entrusted its management to IPIM. The objective of “Macao Ideas” is to create brand awareness for local products, and serves as a platform specialised in the promotion of “Made in Macao” products, “Macao Brands”, “Macao Designs” and “Food products from Portuguese-speaking Countries with distribution channels in Macao”. Since its inception, “Macao Ideas” has displayed nearly 2,000 items from more than 200 local enterprises and received approximately 70,000 visitors. Over the past four years, many local enterprises have seized new business opportunities after showcasing their products at “Macao Ideas”, and expanded their scope of business. For example, a souvenir manufacturer received more purchase orders; a Portuguese pastry maker entered into long-term contract as supplier of several food souvenir shops; a design and manufacturer of leather goods enjoyed increase in business turnover and brand awareness for its products after showcasing their products in “Macao Ideas”. Furthermore, thanks to the publicity and promotion by “Macao Ideas”, local enterprises have become more aware of intellectual property rights protection, as a result, a larger number of trade mark and patent registrations were received by the responsible authorities. Mr. Chang said that he hoped that this event would help strengthen commercial exchange and co-operation between enterprises, and that “Macao Ideas” exhibitors and buyers could work more closely to jointly explore business opportunities. A total of 29 “Macao ideas” exhibitors participated in the gathering and displayed their specialty products, which included food and beverages, cultural and creative products, arts and crafts, daily necessities, table wine, garments, jewellery, and environmentally friendly products. Representatives of over 160 local enterprises, coming from Macao´s major catering groups, hotels, trading companies, banks and SME´s from different sectors participated in this procurement event. Food and beverage companies whose products are displayed at “Macao Ideas”, provided coffee and Macao specialty food for the participants.
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The 29th Macao International Music Festival (MIMF), organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, presents several outstanding performances, allowing the audience to appreciate the beauty of music under the autumn breeze. The concert Danças Ocultas and Pedro Moutinho will be presented by Portuguese Fado singer Pedro Moutinho and Portuguese accordion quartet Danças Ocultas jointly on stage on 16 October, Friday, at 8pm, at Mount Fortress. Pedro Moutinho, admired by the public and the media, becomes one of the most remarkable Portuguese Fado singers at present thanks to his powerful voice. With three studio albums into his career and one Amália Award under his belt, Pedro Moutinho has been innovating by recording songs of other musical genres but having Fado as the unmistakable final result. Portuguese accordion quartet Danças Ocultas uses the diatonic accordion to create music that evokes tradition and folk influences, having become a creativity nucleus with its own musical grammar, and a more universal and trans-cultural view of the musical phenomenon as well as contemporary cultural ways. The concert Danças Ocultas and Pedro Moutinho takes the Mount Fortress as stage, a World Heritage site, allowing the audience to feel the emotions conveyed by Fado under the autumn starry night. Tickets for this concert are available in limited numbers. The MIMF also includes concerts by the BBC Philharmonic Symphony No. 9 “The Great” and Enigma Variations, on 16 and 17 October (Friday and Saturday) respectively, at 8pm, at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium; Songs of Praise by the Coro Lirico Siciliano, will be held on 18 October, Sunday, at 8pm, at St. Dominic’s Church; and the concert Great Ladies of Song by jazz singers Patti Austin, Janis Siegel and Elisa Chan staged on the Mount Fortress on the same day at 8pm. Spectators should arrive to performance venues in advance. The 29th Macao International Music Festival features many other extraordinary concerts and offers several discount plans. Ticketing hotline: 2855 5555. For more information on the MIMF, please visit the webpage www.icm.gov.mo/fimm.
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Consumer Council conducted its fourth ‘Supermarket price survey’ in October on 12 October 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 over 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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Hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, the Global Tourism Economy Forum • Macau 2015 commenced with an opening ceremony at the Venetian Macao® this morning (12 October). The event is initiated and co-organized by the China Chamber of Tourism under the authorization of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), coordinated by the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC) and in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Unveiling its fourth edition today, the Global Tourism Economy Forum (“GTEF” or “the Forum”) meets under the theme “Belt and Road Initiative: Unleashing the New Dynamics of Cultural Tourism”, with the aim to embrace the magnificent vision of the Belt and Road Initiative, foster cultural tourism, actively explore development opportunities as well as enhance regional and international cooperation in all directions. The opening ceremony was officiated by prestigious guests including Mr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of Macao Special Administrative Region; Mr. Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia; Mr. Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Forum Chairman of GTEF; Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of World Tourism Organization and Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Mr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Office of the Council of Ministers, the Kingdom of Cambodia; Mr. Li Jinzao, Chairman of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Mr. Zang Xianfu, Chairman of Tianjin Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Mr. Wang Huizhong, Deputy Secretary of Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China; Ms. Sandra Howard Taylor, Vice Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Colombia; Mr. Chen Yixing, Vice Chairman of Fujian Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Mr. Yao Jian, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR; Mr. Cai Siping, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Dr. Alexis Tam, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government and Executive Chairman of GTEF; Mr. Wang Shangkang, Director of Department of Publicity and Education, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce; Mr. Alejandro Schiavi, Undersecretary of Coordination, Ministry of Tourism, Argentina; Ms. Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF; Mr. Xu Jing, Executive Secretary of the General Assembly and the Executive Council of UNWTO, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at UNWTO as well as Honorary Vice Chairman of GTEF; Mr. David Scowsill, President and Chief Executive Officer of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Mr. Kevin Murphy, Chairman of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Honorary Vice Chairman of GTEF, among others. The Forum boasts a strong lineup of close to 60 distinguished speakers including ministerial officials, leaders of globally‐renowned corporations, experts and scholars this year. Over 1,000 delegates arrived from different countries and cities worldwide to join the event. There are delegations from Featured Partner Countries — Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, Featured Partner Province Zhejiang and Partner City Tianjin. Some 200 representatives of international, Mainland and domestic media agencies came to cover the event. Mr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of Macao SAR, stated, “Macao is included in our Country’s Belt and Road Initiative. In light of this, we can give play to our focal effect and be a part of regional cooperation. The global tourism industry is currently facing immense opportunities and great challenges at the same time. We have to stand strong today and have a clear vision of the future. Striving to combine forces across cultures, sectors and regions, we must seize every golden opportunity and put it to good use. I believe this Forum edition will open up new dimensions for regional collaboration, and more than that, through discussions, we hope the event can bring forth a direction and practical advice for Macao and the global community to achieve sustainable tourism and economic development.” Mr. Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Forum Chairman of GTEF, addressed the Forum, “The Belt & Road Initiative marks a process of constant development, transformation, adjustment and enrichment. Its scope of cooperation has extended from countries along the ancient Maritime Silk Road to the newly-emerging Latin America. As China and Latin America enter a new epoch in their cooperative relations, bilateral people-to-people exchanges will surge, which will create more opportunities for economic development. In active response to this new trend for regional cooperation, the Forum has invited the four member states of the Pacific Alliance — Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru to be our partner countries. Through the Forum as a platform for international exchanges and cooperation, we aim at fostering a broader scale of non-governmental collaboration for tourism growth across China and Latin America. Not only that, we hope the Forum can promote the combined effect of both the ancient and modern Maritime Silk Road as well as the Silk Road Economic Belt, which can be transformed into new joint forces for sustainable development of the global economy.” Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, stated in his congratulatory message, “The Belt and Road Initiative offers an immense opportunity to reinforce regional cooperation and foster better lives for all those living in this area but also beyond in other regions such as the Americas through the Alliance of the Pacific. In this context, unleashing the New Dynamics of Cultural Tourism along the Belt and Road Initiative offers many opportunities to promote cultural tourism as a pillar for socio-economic development.” Included in the Country's Belt and Road Initiative, Macao fully plays the role as a hub on the Maritime Silk Road. By leveraging its diversity and inclusiveness with the blended cultures of East and West in harmony, the destination is dedicated to enhancing innovative and synergistic development in culture, tourism and related industries; at the same time, the city endeavors to foster industry diversification comprehensively and achieve its ultimate goal of building a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. In addition to offering valuable advice and directions for the development of global tourism and related industries, GTEF showcases Macao's capabilities of organizing mega international events and its role as a major international platform across regions, sectors and industries. This will consolidate and optimize Macao's position as an international tourist city. The opening ceremony was followed by an array of signing ceremonies which symbolize new tourism partnerships between GTEF, its collaborative partners and Featured China Province and City. Among them is the Memorandum of Understanding signed between UNWTO and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government to establish a Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training in Macao. Deepening cooperation between both parties, this brand new entity not only will provide training and education programs, carry out joint tourism research projects but also will offer technical placement and internship opportunities. This will in turn substantially strengthen the city’s overall human capital in tourism and remarkably enhance Macao’s competitiveness as a travel destination. The opening ceremony was concluded by the joint presentation of the second UNWTO/GTERC Annual Report 2015 on Asia Tourism Trends presented by UNWTO and the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre. As a timely update on its findings in last year’s inaugural report, this report aims to produce a tool for policy-makers, private-sector stakeholders and academia to better understand tourism’s development in Asia and the Pacific, to spark discussions and to open up new opportunities. It confirms the leading position held by the Asia-Pacific region as the source market of tourism and the second most visited region in the world, attracting 263 million international tourists in 2014, comprising 23% of the world total. While China stands out as the number one tourism source market with record spending of 165 billion US dollars on international tourism in 2014, a 28% increase over the previous year, Latin American countries, especially members of the Pacific Alliance including Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, are also showing great potential for growth. The report also offers analyses reflecting the dominance of China as an outbound market and inbound destination continued to feature in 2014 and 2015, sheds light on tourism trends and identifies key tourism agenda in the region, and highlights tourism between Asia and Latin America, and urban tourism. This Forum edition brings on a fascinating and comprehensive program with a series of Featured Partner Countries and Mainland Provinces presentations scheduled in the afternoon as well as several in-depth topical panels scheduled on the second day. Among them, the Face to Face, Ministers and Private Sector CEOs session will gather ministerial officials from the Pacific Alliance as well as Asian countries and regions to join in a direct dialogue with global business leaders. The program is also enriched with business matching and networking programs, providing ample opportunities for Forum attendees to exchange ideas and explore opportunities for tourism business cooperation. The Global Tourism Economy Forum is hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government. The Forum continues to earn support from its supporting units including Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, China National Tourism Administration, World Travel and Tourism Council, Pacific Asia Travel Association and Macau Government Tourist Office.
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Consumer Council conducted its third ‘Supermarket price survey’ in October on 9 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. 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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Content relating to Macao Special Administrative Region mentioned in the 2015 annual report by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China of the United States of America is ignoring facts. Macao SAR Government strongly opposes to such groundless accusations. Macao SAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China and the United States of America has no right to interfere in China’s domestic affairs.
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According to the preliminary statistics from Public Security Police Force, the overall visitor arrivals (including non-local employees and students) in Macau during 1 – 7 October (1st October Golden Week) hit 1,069,592 in total with a year-on-year raise of 2.72%. A total of 906,652 visitors came from the Mainland and the figure went up by 7.11% compared with that of 2014. According to figures provided by local trade, the average occupancy rate of 3 to 5 Star hotels was 86.86% during the Golden Week, a year-on-year decline of 0.3%. Up to date, the total number of rooms provided by all hotels and guest houses in Macau has climbed up to 30,526. The average occupancy rates of 3-Star and 4-Star hotels were 87.36% and 84.43%, which increased by 1.91% and 0.49% respectively; whereas the average occupancy rate of 5-Star hotels was 88.79%, showing a 3.31% decline. The average room rate of 3 to 5 Star hotels in Macau was 1,477 patacas during the Golden Week, a year-on-year decrease of 21.96%. On the other hand, the average room rate of local guest houses was 542 patacas, which dropped by 18.74%. The average room rates of 2-Star and 3-Star hotels were 769 patacas and 1,321 patacas respectively (a drop of 17.87% and 20.15%). The average room rates of 4-Star and 5-Star hotels were 1,151 patacas and 1,958 patacas respectively, declined by 28.09% and 19.14% respectively. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) received four tourism-related complaints during the 1st October Golden Week. The complaints were mainly about taxi service and consumption. The Office has referred the cases to relevant departments for settlement. On the other hand, a suggestion about bus stop sign was received by MGTO. MGTO’s Inspection Division received only one case of complaint through the 24-hour Tourism Hotline service during the Golden Week. The complainant was unsatisfied with the hotel price after room reservation was made on a website overseas. The Inspection Division has suggested the complainant to contact the website concerned. During the Golden Week, MGTO carried out 104 inspections at various ports and tourist spots in total. In terms of measures against illegal accommodation, MGTO carried out 9 united actions, inspected 20 premises and sealed 5 premises allegedly operated as illegal accommodation in total. During the past 1st October Golden Week, MGTO adopted a series of measures not only to cater for the needs of local citizens and visitors but also to optimize service quality in the tourism industry. The measures include sending out reminders and mobile text messages to industry partners and visitors respectively about things to be aware of, inter-departmental information sharing, more scrupulous inspections, food guide publication, staging activities in different districts as well as setting up stations to answer enquiries, etc.
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