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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met with the Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr Zhong Shan, in Beijing today and exchanged views on the supply and safety of Mainland's farm products to Macao. Mr Chui expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Commerce for its long-term support, especially on ensuring the supply of the quality farm products to Macao. The Ministry had also backed Macao's drive in diversifying its industrial spectrum, especially in areas of conference industry and links with the Portuguese-speaking countries, Mr Chui said. The Vice Minister told Mr Chui the Ministry would work in accordance with the policies of the Central Government in supporting the development of the Macao SAR. As for the supply of agricultural products, he said the Ministry would spare no efforts in getting the job done. Mr Chui and Mr Zhong also exchanged ideas on expanding the current food supply and implementing the recently signed CEPA Supplement IX. Mr Chui and his delegation later attended a banquet hosted by the Ministry. Ministry figures for 2011 showed that farm products from the Mainland accounted for 100 per cent of live pig, live cattle and live chicken consumed in Macao; 27 per cent of pork; 74 per cent of mutton; 48 per cent of chilled or quick frozen chicken; 67 per cent of live fish; 67 per cent of flour; 88 per cent of eggs; 81 per cent of vegetables, and 19 per cent of fruits and nuts.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today that three Central Government ministries responded positively about the proposed new Macao-Zhuhai passageway. Mr Chui met respectively with the Minister of the Public Security of the People's Republic of China, Mr Meng Jianzhu, the Director of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), Mr Zhi Shuping, and the Director of the General Administration of China Customs, Mr Yu Guangzhou. Mr Chui introduced to them the proposal of the new Macao-Zhuhai passageway, which Guangdong and Macao authorities had formally proposed to the Central Government previously, and exchanged ideas with them on this project. He said the new passageway would bolster Macao's drive to become a global tourism and leisure hub, benefit the general public, and help divert travelers flow from the current checkpoints. The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io, who was also in Beijing with Mr Chui, said the Government would follow up on the budget and timetable of the project when it received approval from the Central Government. The new passageway would not only expand and upgrade customs facilities but also enable the Government to find new means to shorten the time needed for people to cross into Zhuhai or Macao, he said.
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IFT's Tourism Research Centre (ITRC) is releasing today the latest results of the Macao Tourism Satisfaction Index or MTSI, covering the first two quarters (first half) of 2012. Reports can be downloaded from the ITRC website: http://www.ift.edu.mo/itrc/TSI.html. Subscribers will be emailed copies of the reports directly. ITRC has been collecting data on visitor satisfaction in Macao since 2009 and its database now span quarterly results for the last three years. Highlights of the latest findings are as follows: Visitor satisfaction in Macao—not worsening but not improving either As of the end of the 2nd quarter of 2012, the Tourism Satisfaction Index (TSI) for Macao stood at 69.5 out of a highest score of 100. This is slightly better than the 68.8 recorded in the 1st quarter of 2012 and not at all significantly different from satisfaction recorded in the last three quarters of 2011. In other words, visitors' satisfaction with their experience in Macao has neither worsened nor improved for already a sustained period of time. The current and recent levels of the MTSI, though stable, stand below the above-70 index scores achieved for the most part of 2010. Events and transport keep up the good work; heritage attractions post lower than average satisfaction for the first time For the 2nd quarter of 2012, overall MTSI performance was boosted by above-average satisfaction reported in the events, transportation, hotels and casino sectors, but favourable performance in these sectors were offset by below-average satisfaction reported in restaurants, heritage attractions, non-heritage attractions as well as by retail shops. Results for heritage attractions show unusually lower than historically average performance and therefore merit closer attention. Events are Macao's real attraction, a surprising turnaround in transport sector; restaurants, retailing and non-heritage attractions need re-thinking Looking at the sustained performance of all sectors over the last three years, Macao's events sector remains the most positive performer, with visitor satisfaction for this sector being sustained above average. The restaurant sector remains the laggard; visitors' satisfaction continues to be below average compared to all sectors. There seems to be a sustained turnaround for the transportation sector, with satisfaction ratings improving from Q4 2011 up to the most recent quarter. Compared to the first half of 2011, the first half of 2012 shows slight, but not significantly better, results. Efforts need to be maintained and strengthened so that the second half of 2012 would result in overall better results for the year compared to 2011. About the MTSI
Each quarter since 2009, ITRC has been measuring the level of visitor satisfaction in Macao across various sectors in the tourism industry. Results across all sectors are averaged to form an overall Macao Tourist Satisfaction Index (MTSI). The ten tourism related sectors include (a) casinos, (b) events, (c) heritage attractions, (d) hotels, (e) immigration services, (f) non-heritage attractions, (g) restaurants, (h) retail shops, (i) tour guides/operators, and (j) transportation services. The MTSI study is conducted by ITRC in collaboration with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Tourism and Hotel Management. With similar studies conducted by partners in other countries, results obtained in Macao by ITRC are compared annually with those in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shenzhen, thereby allowing comparison in terms of competitive performance and benchmarking. Methodology
The MTSI is measured using a field survey in which respondents are selected and interviewed based on a systematic random sampling technique. Interviews with visitors are conducted at major tourist sites and transport terminals in Macao. In the first and second quarters of 2012, 1,145 and 1,154 interviews were conducted respectively. The TSI is an index comprised of the average responses to three questions asked in the survey for all sectors: overall satisfaction, performance compared with expectations and with ideal performance. Results for each sector are transformed and reported on a scale ranging from 0 to 100 points. The higher the score on the index, the higher the level of satisfaction. The overall TSI is the average of all ten sectoral TSIs.
For more information
Please contact Ms. Virginia Hong or Ms. Wendy Tang (itrc@ift.edu.mo).
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The exchange visit of 19 award-winning students and teachers of the first short film competition for all Macao secondary school students on "Consular Protection and Consular Services" to Beijing led by Mrs. Zhang Jinfeng, 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, and Mrs. Ao Ieong U, Deputy Director of the Identification Services Bureau of the Macao SAR, came to an successful end on the previous Friday (13th July 2012). Under the arrangements of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao, the delegation are substantially benefited. They have visited the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, attended the press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and even had an unusual ocassion to meet with the Foreign Ministry Spokesman of China at an exchange seminar during the five consecutive days of exchange. In addition, the delegation was arranged to visit the High School attached to Tsinghua University for an interactive exchange, experiencing the local learning lives in person. The delegation obtained a valuable experience and a very unique learning opportunity. Moreover, the delegation visited a number of historic landmarks including the National Stadium (the "Bird's Nest") for the 2008 Olympic Games, the Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City and so on. In addition, the delegation also visited the Marco Polo Bridge (Lugou Bridge) and Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park. Through having on-site visits at the historic landmarks of China, students could have better understanding of the history of China and cultivate their patriotic feelings and senses of belonging and mission towards the motherland. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao have been doing their utmost in supporting and intensively assisting the Special Administrative Region Government on the promotion of consular protection and consular services all the time. With the guidance of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the first "Consular Protection and Consular Services Promotion Week" jointly organized by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao and the Identification Services Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region was held in November 2011. Its purpose is to enhance Macao citizens' knowledge on consular protection and consular services, making them understand the services provided to Chinese citizens by overseas embassies or consulates of China as well as the relation between consular protection and themselves, so that they can request assistance from the overseas embassies or consulates of China in emergency. Students of the delegation mentioned that the exchange tour to Beijing is an eye-opening journey to them. They are no longer be limited to the textual and pictorial descriptions of books. Such visit allows them to step on the ground of the motherland in person and experience the national condition. Experiences like having a face-to-face interactive exchange with local students and participating in the press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs bring numerous advantages and a very special meaning to the students. At the same time, the organiser encourages the students to share their experiences of the visit with their classmates and families when they got home and to promote the knowledge of consular protection so that their friends and families will travel more safely and be better protected. Furthermore, the visit to Beijing has not only widened the horizon of Macao students and enriched their knowledge but also successfully diversified the promotion of consular protection and consular services. The Identification Services Bureau looks forward to work hard on promoting the knowledge of consular protection persistently, making Macao citizens better understand the need of preparation before going abroad and the self-responsibility and obligation when travelling overseas. In addition, Macao citizens need to raise the awareness of potential risks in foreign countries, so that they can avoid unnecessary dilemmas resulted from inadequate perceptions towards the foreign country and the lack of self-defense awareness.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the second quarter of 2012 increased by 6.57% year-on-year to 118.59. Price index of Restaurant Services (+18.02%); Entertainment & Cultural Activities (+11.91%); and Clothing & Footwear (+11.39%) registered notable year-on-year increase on account of higher charges for restaurant services and entertainment, as well as dearer prices of women's clothing. However, price index of Accommodation Services decreased by 6.38% year-on-year. TPI for the second quarter of 2012 decreased by 4.62% quarter-to-quarter, of which the price index of Accommodation Services slid by 24.64% due to lower room rate after the Lunar New Year. On the contrary, price index of Clothing & Footwear increased by 15.66% quarter-to-quarter. The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the second quarter of 2012 increased by 12.91% from the previous period, with marked increase being observed in the price index of Accommodation (+18.97%); Restaurant Services (+17.43%); and Miscellaneous Goods (+16.48%). For the first half year of 2012, TPI went up by 8.37% year-on-year, with index of Restaurant Services; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods increasing by 18.31%, 13.47% and 12.85% respectively. The 2009/2010-based TPI reflects the price changes of goods and services purchased by visitors. Sections of TPI goods and services are based on the consumption pattern of visitors, namely Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Services; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods.
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Consumer Council has added the 'Specific Product Price Platform' function to its 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' mobile phone application to allow consumers to instantly search for the highest and the lowest prices of the surveyed items. The information platforms also display the percentage differences in price of the same product sold at different retail outlets. Consumer Council launched its 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' app for iPhone in late 2011, and has continued to improve the functions of the application to increase price transparency, as well as the practical use of the data. In May, this app has been launched for Android users. By now, over 26 thousand iPhone users have downloaded the app and a browsing record of 1.34 million has been recorded. As for Android users, around 3,000 users have downloaded the app and a browsing record of over 75 thousand has been recorded. As mobile devices such as smart phones allow consumers to conveniently browse the price data online, the "Supermarket Price Information Platform" mobile phone application is popular for both iPhone and Android users. Consumer Council therefore extended its service and added the 'Specific Product Price Platform' function to the application. Consumers can just click the icon for 'Specific Product' and then can get access to the prices of all the specific items surveyed, especially the highest and lowest prices, as well as the percentage differences in price of the same product sold at various retail spots. The current specific product price survey focuses on 11 daily commodities, such as rice, cooking oil, tissue papers and seasoning, etc.. The 5 individual functions in the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' app are: 'Supermarket Price Watch', which categorizes products with pictures and allows consumers to conveniently select their favorite items. 'Best Price in Town', which allows consumers to search items according to their nearest supermarkets for the best price. 'Shopping Basket', which allows consumers to sum up their desired items and make price comparisons. 'Specific Product Price Platform', which provides specific price surveys on different categories of daily commodities, and allow consumers to compares prices, especially the highest and the lowest prices, as well as the percentage price differences of the same product sold in various retail spots. 'Certified Shops', which includes a list of over 1,000 'Certified Shops' with information such as their locations, and types of businesses. Each 'Certified Shop' bears an emblem which signifies it as 'the only official guarantee for shopping'. For inquiry, please call 89889315.
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The Macao Government will make an official application to the Central Government for the construction of an additional passageway into Zhuhai. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, told reporters this today at Macao International Airport as he left for Beijing, where he said he would meet with officials from the Ministry of Public Security, the General Administration of Customs and General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine to discuss the proposal. According to the protocol signed between Guangdong and Macao governments during the annual Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference held in May, the Macao Government, on request, needed to formally apply for the building of a new passageway. The new passageway, designed to accommodate the growing number of cross boundary travellers, will be adjacent to the Bordergate-Gongbei checkpoint. Mr Chui said that he would also meet with Ministry of Commerce officials to negotiate on broadening sources of import goods to Macao and stabilising prices of commodities. On reporters' question on cash handout and medical voucher, the Chief Executive said people welcomed these two temporary policies, and that depended on people's request, inflation and overall revenue, the Government would study the feasibility of launching these two policies again in 2013. Members of the official delegations included the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, the Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms O Lam, the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Wong Chan Tong, the Director of Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping, and the Advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Fung Sio Weng and Kou Chin Hung.
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Consumer Council conducted a price check on 8 different brands of shampoo and shower gel from 32 retail outlets on 9th July, the current survey showed that prices of the same brand of shampoo sold at different retail outlets varied. An obvious price difference was recorded for 'Dove damage Therapy intensive Repair Shampoo' (700ml), which recorded an obvious price difference of 48.61 percent, was sold at $39.70 to $59.00 in different outlets. When compared with the data collected in May, the price difference for this brand has increased by around 3 percent. As for 'VS' Sassoon Moisturizing Treatment Repair Shampoo (750ml)', the price differed for 43.64 percent, with the highest price of $79.00 and the lowest price of $55.00 recorded. For the 4 brands of shower gels surveyed, price difference for the same brand sold at different retail outlets narrowed. The highest and the lowest selling prices of 'Dove Beauty Nourishing Body Wash' (1000ml) recorded in the recent survey were $46.00 and $37.00 respectively, with a price difference of 24.32 percent. When compared with the price difference of 42.86% percent found during last survey, a drop in the price discrepancy of 18 percent was recorded this time. The Council indicates that selling prices of the same product are found to vary in different branches under the same supermarket chain stores. Consumers are advised to check with the data provided by the Council on its website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and its 'Supermarket price information platform' app for both iPhone and Android users to make price comparisons. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals in package tours increased by 11.7% year-on-year to 669,460 in May 2012. Visitors from Mainland China (465,923) went up by 4.9%, with 166,292 coming from Guangdong Province; besides, those from Taiwan, China (52,839); Hong Kong (33,485); and the Republic of Korea (24,941) increased by 63.2%, 28.0% and 18.5% respectively. In the first five months of 2012, visitors in package tours totalled 3,420,786, up by 30.0% year-on-year to account for 29.8% of the total visitor arrivals, higher than the 23.8% in the same period of 2011.
Outbound residents in package tours surged by 93.3% year-on-year to 34,395 in May 2012. The most popular tour itineraries were Mainland China (70.8% of total) and the Republic of Korea (12.3%), with 14,482 travelling to Guangdong Province. In the first five months of 2012, residents travelling in package tours totalled 139,096, up by 47.1% year-on-year. Meanwhile, outbound residents travelling under own arrangements using services of travel agencies increased by 23.3% year-on-year to 59,875 in May 2012; the main destinations were Mainland China (45.8% of total); Hong Kong (23.4%); and Taiwan, China (18.0%). In the first five months of 2012, residents travelling under such arrangements increased by 48.1% year-on-year to 331,819.
There were 24,117 guest rooms available at the 97 hotels and guest-houses at end-May 2012, an increase of 2,599 rooms (+12.1%) year-on-year, with those of the 5-star hotels accounting for 61.1% of the total. Hotels and guest-houses received 754,375 guests in May 2012, an increase of 9.4% year-on-year; the average length of stay decreased by 0.11 night to 1.4 nights. The average occupancy rate of hotels and guest-houses was 78.1%, down by 3.8 percentage points year-on-year; average occupancy rate of the hotels was 78.6%, with 4-star hotels leading at 81.3%. Number of guests increased by 12.7% year-on-year to 3,702,740 in the first five months of 2012; average occupancy rate of hotels and guest-houses stood at 81.9%, similar to that of the same period in 2011. From January to May 2012, visitor-guests accounted for 64.6% of the total number of overnight visitors, higher than the 61.3% in the same period of 2011.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today exchanged views with the Governor of Yunnan Province, Mr Li Jiheng, on enhancing levels of co-operation by using the business platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.
The meeting was held at the Santa Sancha where Mr Chui welcomed Mr Li, who led the Yunnan delegation to Macao to participate in a promotional seminar for trade and co-operation.
Mr Chui said Yunnan is one of the most important partners in the Pan Pearl River Delta, and that the two places had laid down a good foundation on co-operation in terms of trading, tourism and culture.
He believed Mr Li's presence in the Yunnan promotional seminar would further boost co-operation between the two places.
Mr Li said he was glad to see Macao's economic development and modernisation as well as the successful implementation of the "One country, two systems" principle. He also briefly introduced the latest development of Yunnan province.
He said the aims of this visit were to further open up business opportunities by using Macao's trading service platform: meanwhile he also wanted to have a better understanding of Macao's exhibition and convention development.
The Chief Executive agreed that the two places could enhance co-operation on exhibition and convention, tourism, trade in service. He also welcomed Yunnan's concept of using Macao to export and re-export her agricultural products to the Portuguese-speaking countries.
The Vice Governor of Yunnan Province, Mr Gu Chaoxi, the Secretary-General of Yunnan Provincial Government, Mr Ding Shaoxiang, the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, the Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms O Lam, and the Advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Fung Sio Weng and Kou Chin Hung also attended the meeting.
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