News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals posted a new record for a single month, reaching 3,086,271 in the August Summer Holiday, up by 7% year-on-year. Same-day visitors accounted for 54% of the total, at 1,666,809. Analysed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China increased by 13% year-on-year to 2,131,498, coming primarily from Guangdong Province (960,814), Fujian Province (95,450) and Hunan Province (86,487); Mainland visitors travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme rose by 19%, at 1,063,668. Visitors from the Republic of Korea (58,115) and Japan (27,819) increased by 20% and 2% respectively year-on-year, while those from Hong Kong (635,354) and Taiwan (88,253) decreased by 2% and 11%. Long-haul visitors from the United States (13,115) and the United Kingdom (5,677) registered year-on-year increase, while those from Australia (6,621) and Canada (5,128) saw decrease. The average length of stay of visitors remained unchanged from a year earlier, at 1.0 day in August 2014; overnight and same-day visitors stayed an average of 1.9 days and 0.2 day respectively. In the first eight months of 2014, visitor arrivals totalled 21,123,512, up by 8% year-on-year, with same-day visitors sharing 54% of the total. Visitors from Mainland China (+14%) and the Republic of Korea (+19%) increased year-on-year, but those from Hong Kong and Taiwan decreased. Moreover, long-haul visitors from the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom recorded year-on-year increase; however, those from Canada registered decrease.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) took part in the "Beautiful China – Promotional Activities for the Silk Road & the Tourism Cooperation and Exchange Event of Shaanxi and Gansu Province with Hong Kong and Macau". During the event, the Office signed the "Memorandum of Cooperation in Tourism" with Gansu Provincial Tourism Bureau today (22 September) to enhance their collaborative relation for mutual benefit. The "Beautiful China – Promotional Activities for the Silk Road & the Tourism Cooperation and Exchange Event of Shaanxi and Gansu Province with Hong Kong and Macau" are held in the two cities – Xi'an in Shaanxi Province and Lanzhou in Gansu Province during 20 – 25 September. The event co-organizers include Department of Affairs on Tourism of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan under China National Tourism Administration (CNTA); Shaanxi Provincial Tourism Bureau; Gansu Provincial Tourism Bureau; Tourism Commission of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR and Macau Government Tourist Office. Vice Chairman of CNTA, Du Jiang; Director of Shaanxi Provincial Tourism Bureau, Yang Zhong Wu and Director of Gansu Provincial Tourism Bureau, He Wei attended the above promotional activities in the two provinces. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes led the MGTO team and a delegation of Macau travel trade to participate in the event. MGTO joined the Tourism Promotion Seminar "Beautiful China – Embark upon the Silk Road in Xi'an" in Xi'an on 21 September; and afterwards arrived at Lanzhou on 22 September for the Tourism Promotion Seminar "Beautiful China – The Silk Road in Gansu" as well as the Tourism Cooperation and Exchange Event. During the seminars in Xi'an and Lanzhou, MGTO presented Macau's tourism development with the latest tourism facilities and products while promoting the destination's positioning as the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Representatives of Shaanxi, Gansu and Hong Kong also presented their respective tourism destinations during the sessions. In order to strengthen Macau's collaborative relation with Gansu Province in tourism, MGTO Director Senna Fernandes and Director of Gansu Provincial Tourism Bureau, He Wei together signed the "Memorandum of Cooperation in Tourism". The signing ceremony was witnessed by Vice Chairman of CNTA, Du Jiang and Vice Governor of the People's Government of Gansu Province, Li Rong Can. During the seminars, Senna Fernandes remarked that the events gave the Macau delegation a precious opportunity to visit the tourism products and cultural attractions in Shaanxi and Gansu Province and hence learn more about the valuable tourism and cultural resources in the two provinces, which benefits their mutual exchange and development in tourism; furthermore, with the Memorandum of Cooperation in Tourism signed with Gansu Provincial Tourism Bureau, there will be joint projects in tourism promotion and trade networking opportunities which can facilitate the concerted development of both destinations' tourism industry. She hoped that Macau, Shaanxi and Gansu will see a greater potential for development in the tourism sector. Through joining the aforementioned events, MGTO has deepened its collaboration with the two provinces in tourism and facilitated an occasion for Macau travel trade to exchange information about their latest industry trends and products with their counterparts in Shaanxi and Gansu, and therefore strengthened their network and collaboration. Following the events, MGTO will visit the tourism attractions in Gansu on 23 September. Spanning the continents of Asia and Europe, the famous Silk Road was a major overland trade route in ancient times. Last year, the Country raised an important measure about the "Development of New Silk Road Economic Belt" to boost the tourism development in the regions along the Silk Road. In April 2014, Vice Chairman of CNTA, Du Jiang led a travel trade delegation from the Mainland to host the "Beautiful China: Themed Promotion Seminar" in Macau, where they gave a key presentation about the tourism routes along the Silk Road jointly supported by Shaanxi and Gansu Province as well as other regions.
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The latest issue of the Macao Higher Education Magazine - International Edition has been published. Interested parties can obtain the magazines in specific government departments, public libraries, higher education institutions etc. or access the website of the Tertiary Education Services Office (GAES) to view or download the magazine. The content of the Macao Higher Education Magazine – International Edition is comprehensive and diversified, comprising the discussion of relevant issues on higher education, overview of characteristic academic departments in local higher education institutions, sharing of students' learning experiences, introduction of higher education students' activities, information for further education, and the display of individual creations etc. Macao's tourism is developing rapidly. In this issue, the feature of the magazine will look into the tourism related programmes of the higher education institutions of Macao. There are interviews with students who are taking the programmes, as well as professionals who are working in the field. They share their learning experience and how they are looking at the future of the industry. Rector of the University of Saint Joseph, Fr. Peter Stilwell shares with the readers on his working experience in Macao, as well as the current progress and the future challenges of the University. The Macau University of Science and Technology introduces their newly opened educational restaurant to the readers, and its significance in its programmes and teaching. In addition, Professor José Augusto Cardoso Bernardes, curator of the library of the University of Coimbra, Portugal, is invited to tell the readers about the history, heritage and change of the library. Students who are studying at home and abroad also share their learning experience and what they have gained in joining different kinds of activities. Magazine copies will be given out at GAES, Centre for Higher Education Students, Public Information Centre, Government Service Centre, Macao's higher education institutions, Plaza Cultural Macau, Starlight Bookstore etc. Interested parties can also browse the website of GAES (http://www.gaes.gov.mo/eng/publish/p3) to view or download the latest or previous issues for both the Chinese and International Edition of the Macao Higher Education Magazine.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (131.61) for August 2014 increased by 6.07% year-on-year, attributable to higher rentals for dwellings and dearer charges for eating out. In comparison with August 2013, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+12.04%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+5.93%); and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+4.44%) on account of rising rentals, dearer prices of fresh pork and fruits, as well as higher charges for eating out and grooming services. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 0.17%. The CPI-A (132.39) and CPI-B (131.91) increased by 6.51% and 5.97% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for August 2014 increased by 0.31% month-to-month. Rising rentals and dearer prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas pushed up the price index of Housing & Fuels by 1.74%. On the other hand, price index of Transport and Clothing & Footwear decreased by 1.24% and 0.92% respectively upon receding gasoline prices and seasonal sale of women's summer clothing and footwear. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.42% and 0.26% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended August 2014, the average Composite CPI increased by 6.06% from the previous period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+11.72%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.40%); and Household Goods & Furnishings (+5.82%) registered remarkable increase, while price index of Communication decreased by 1.00%. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.62% and 5.93% respectively. The average Composite CPI for the first eight months of 2014 increased by 6.11% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.63% and 6.00% respectively year-on-year. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
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For the smooth operation of the Grand Prix, the Macau Grand Prix Committee invited current Extrication Consultant Dr. Jean Jacques Issermann and FIA Medical Delegate Dr. Jacques Tropenat to Macau for conducting a two-day training course for the local Rescue Team on 20th and 21st September. The Doctors provided professional instruction, shared their experiences, and gave practical demonstrations, hoping every rescue member would understand the medical and first aid procedure in the rescue process for enhancing the cooperation of the local rescue team for reaching the international standard. Extrication plays a crucial role during motorsports events, professional training, experience and cooperation of the rescue team acts an important role during the races. Team leaders and members must react professionally and calmly, while the reactions of track marshals must be fast and accurate to handle the sudden occurrence, working closely to execute rescue exercises in the most efficient and effective way possible. A total of 20 doctors and 48 firemen participated in the training, and the training divided into three sessions, covering every elements of the motorsport rescue, including equipment operation; instantaneous solution in the sudden occurrence, introduction of the equipment and the skills required for rapid medical rescue, and the communication with the race control when the rescue is being implemented. Rescue team members also carried out simulated incident exercises and completed practical procedure and examination, for ensuring every rescue team member understand the medical and first aid procedure in the rescue process. After the training course and examination, all members of the Macau Grand Prix rescue team received certification from the FIA, confirming that the local rescue team has attained to international standard, for ensuring the rescue work would be proceeded under high standard during the Grand Prix.
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The University of Macau (UM) has been elected the next president of the Association of Portuguese Speaking Universities (Associação das Universidades de Lrngua Portuguesa, AULP), becoming the first higher education institution in Macao to be elected to this position. UM was unanimously elected as the AULP's next president for a three-year term from 2014 to 2017 at the AULP's General Assembly, which was attended by over 200 AULP members from Portuguese-speaking countries and regions. At the General Assembly ALUP members praised the quality of this year's annual meeting as well as the efforts that UM, Macao Polytechnic Institute (IPM), and the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) have put into organising the meeting. AULP President Prof Jorge Ferrão noted UM has made great contributions to the AULP, having hosted five annual meetings, in 1998, 2003, 2006, 2010, and 2014, and having served as the Board of Administrators's vice president for Asia-Pacific for over nine years. Prof Jorge Ferrão expressed confidence that AULP will continue to make good progress under the leadership of UM.
Newly elected vice presidents of the AULP are Universidade Lúrio, Mozambique; Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; and Universidade Mandume Ya Ndemufayo, Angola. The AULP is an international academic organisation. Its members come from more than 200 higher education institutions in different countries and regions, including Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, East Timor, and Macao. Institutions that enjoy provisional membership status include Portuguese departments at universities in the United States, France and Italy. Currently there six institutions in Macao that are AULP members. They are UM, IPM, IFT, the International Institute of Macau, the University of Saint Joseph, and the Asia International Open University (Macau). The 25th annual meeting of the AULP will be held at the University of Cabo Verde in July 2015.
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The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Awards Luncheon and Awards Presentation, sponsored by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), was held today (the 19th) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, during PATA Travel Mart 2014. Advisor of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government Susana Esmeriz and the head of Training and Quality Management Department of MGTO Alice Coelho, participated at the PATA Gold Awards Luncheon and Awards Presentation. The occasion gathered around 800 guests, including delegates and media. This year, 28 Grand and Gold Awards were presented in recognition of the outstanding achievements of organizations and individuals in areas, ranging from marketing to corporate social responsibility and travel journalism. MGTO has been sponsoring the PATA Gold Awards initiative since 1996, as a contribution in building responsible tourism development of the Asia Pacific and to promote Macau. For the last three days MGTO has also been promoting Macau with a booth at the PATA Travel Mart 2014, held at Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Centre in Phnom Penh. MGTO staff joined by six Macau travel trade, from hotels and convention and entertainment centers, promoted the city as a business and leisure tourism destination at the travel show. PATA Travel Mart brings together hundreds of international buyers and sellers from around the Asia Pacific region, offering a dynamic program combining business sessions, networking opportunities and workshops. Furthermore, MGTO is also being represented at PATA Executive Board and Board Meeting, running September 19 to 21 in Phnom Penh. Founded in 1951, PATA is a non-profit membership association dedicated to building responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. Macau has been a member of PATA since 1958. PATA has currently 43 local chapters and 12 student chapters around the globe, including in Macau. PATA's membership boasts more than 90 government, state and city tourism bodies, nearly 30 airlines, airports and cruise lines, more than 50 education institutions and hundreds of travel industry companies.
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Consumer Council conducted its fifth 'Supermarket price survey' in September on 18 September for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets at Lam Mau, Patane and San Kio areas in Santo António Parish. The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' is now available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo), and the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. 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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To extend the collaboration scope of resources sharing, the aeronautical authorities of mainland China and Macao SAR have reached a new regional cooperation agreement. The aviation fuel expert from mainland China will visit Macao every year to give technical support on the airworthiness of aircraft refueling operations. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) signed an agreement on the airworthiness of aircraft refueling operations today in Macao. CAAC will delegate an aviation fuel expert team to visit Macao every year who will analyze and perform on-site assessment to the refueling operation system in Macau International Airport. Specifically, the expert team will look at the relevant regulations, the management, the technical standards and the actual operation conditions of the service in the airport. The expert team will give recommendations on how Macao can further improve the storage, handling and quality control of the aviation fuel. Furthermore, the signing parties agree to meet regularly for technical exchanges; mainland China will help to train the Macao personnel with the respective expertise. The President of AACM said, "CAAC has reached the world class standard in both legislation and implementation of technical standards for the development and the oversight of aviation fuel products. They have set up their own research centre to conduct regular inspection of the fuel products to ensure that the refueling procedures comply with the local laws and regulations as well as the international standards. In Macao, we have a fuel supplier who is reputed in this Region. However, the operations are mainly reliant on the industry standards. The cooperation agreement we have now signed with CAAC would provide great technical support to Macao in the airworthiness of the refueling operations. This in turn will enhance both our operation safety and our safety oversight. The signing ceremony was convened at the AACM office at 12:00noon. The Chief Engineer of CAAC, Mr. Zhang Hong Yin and the President of AACM, Mr. Chan Weng Hong represented the two governments in signing the texts. The cooperation agreement is the third of its kind to be reached between the two aeronautical authorities. The other two agreements relate respectively to aircraft accident and incident investigation, and collaboration on aeronautical information services, cartographic services, flight procedures design, meteorological services and airport fire fighting services. In addition, the three aeronautical authorities of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao cooperate closely among themselves on the approval of aircraft maintenance organizations, airworthiness certification, approval of aircraft repair modifications and approval of maintenance training organizations.
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The fireworks show schedule of the 26th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest on 20 September has been revised. The schedule is updated as follow for audience's kind attention: 20 September
21:00 – Daehan Fireworks Co from Korea
21:30 – Surex - Family Company Ryszard Suzdalewicz from Poland
22:00 – Mirnovec Pirotehnika d.o.o. from Croatia The latest contest program is uploaded onto MGTO's website: http://fireworks.macautourism.gov.mo
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