News

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is holding its 14th Global Summit in Hainan on 23 – 25 April 2014, an event which gathers tourism industry leaders and business elites from around the world to discuss the pressing issues faced by the global tourism industry today; Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Adviser of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ng Peng In attend the event in Sanya along with other delegates for exchange and learning opportunities. Chairman of World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Michael Frenzel; Vice Premier of the State Council of China, Wang Yang; Secretary General of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Taleb Rifai; Chairman of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), Shao Qiwei and Governor of Hainan Province, Jiang Dingzhi officiated the opening ceremony of the WTTC Global Summit 2014 today (24 April). Known as the "Olympic for the tourism industry", the annual WTTC Global Summit gathers prominent political figures, prestigious tourism industry leaders, tourism professionals and scholars as well as internationally-acclaimed media. WTTC has invited notable guest speakers to its Global Summits in recent years including Former President of the United States, Bill Clinton; Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair and Former Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihiko Noda. The WTTC Global Summit 2014 has invited special guests namely CEO, Director and Co-Founder of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Jeffrey Katzenberg; Former NBA Player and Founder of The Yao Foundation, Yao Ming; and Vice President & Chief Global Communications & Public Affairs Officer of Marriott International, Inc., Kathleen Matthews. Key leaders of the three major global tourism organizations including Secretary General of UNWTO, Taleb Rifai; Executive Director for Technical Cooperation and Services of UNWTO, Zhu Shanzhong; Chairman of WTTC, Michael Frenzel; President and CEO of WTTC, David Scowsilll and CEO of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Martin J. Craigs are present in the Global Summit among other guests this year. Ministers of Tourism of Ireland, Mexico, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Zambia are also invited to the event along with 50 governmental officials and management personnel from tourism offices of the United Kingdom, Serbia, Singapore, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Maldives and other countries. Revolving around the theme "Changing World, New Perspectives", the WTTC Global Summit 2014 unveils its two-day agenda including the opening ceremony, seven sessions, closing and handover ceremony. The event also includes the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards ceremony and a tourism promotional event entitled "Sanya Night". The seven sessions cover a range of topics including "Travel & Tourism: A force for good in a problematic world", "Economics, Politics and Demographics: where do we really stand?", "New realities, new truths", "China: Huge potential. Big questions", "Travel, Tourism and Trade: opening the world to growth", "Beyond economics: a new message for Travel & Tourism" and "Staying ahead of Tomorrow". Distinguished guests and heavyweights have come from across the globe to share insights and exchange perspectives on the current trend and future prospect of the tourism industry. Their input will serve as valuable reference which drives the growth of the global tourism industry. Over 800 guests attend the WTTC Global Summit 2014, including more than 500 registered foreign guests coming from over 60 countries and regions around the world and nearly 300 delegates on behalf of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan as well as 33 cities, provinces and autonomous regions of Mainland China. For more information about the WTTC Global Summit, please visit the website: http://www.wttc.org/.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals increased by 10% year-on-year to 2,625,997 in March 2014; same-day visitors accounted for 53% of the total, at 1,393,993. In March 2014, visitors from Mainland China surged by 24% year-on-year to 1,769,408, coming primarily from Guangdong Province (40%), Fujian Province (4%) and Hunan Province (3%); Mainland visitors travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme totalled 738,287, sharing 42% of the total from Mainland China. Visitors from the Republic of Korea (40,625) and Japan (30,281) increased by 10% and 5% respectively year-on-year, while those from Hong Kong (522,390) and Taiwan (77,297) decreased by 15% and 4%. Long-haul visitors from the United Kingdom (6,609) increased by 17% year-on-year; on the contrary, visitors from Australia (8,989) decreased by 10%. The average length of stay of visitors remained unchanged from a year earlier, at 1.0 day in March 2014; overnight and same-day visitors stayed an average of 1.9 days and 0.2 day respectively. In the first quarter of 2014, visitor arrivals reached 7,690,166, up by 9% year-on-year; same-day visitors totalled 4,121,351 (54% of total). Visitors from Mainland China and the Republic of Korea increased by 17% and 18% respectively, while those from Hong Kong and Taiwan decreased by 9% and 4%. Besides, visitors from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom posted year-on-year increase, but those from Australia registered decline. In the first quarter of 2014, the average length of stay of visitors was 1.0 day, same as that in the same quarter of 2013.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is hosting this week several promotional activities about Macau for consumers and travel trade in Seoul and Busan, to match the continuous increase in the number of visitor arrivals from Korea. A delegation of around twenty members of the Tourism Development Committee (CDT, on its Portuguese acronym) is also in Seoul for a learning and exchange visit to learn more about Korea's tourism development. CDT members visited the full service Gangnam Tourist Information Center, the Korea Tourism Organization, the multipurpose cultural center and Dongdaemun Design Plaza, designed by acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes is in Seoul for the promotions and to accompany the familiarization trip of the CDT, joined by a group of more than twenty Macau travel trade representing many of the city's well-known hotels and resorts, exhibition and entertainment venues, travel agencies, sea and air transportation companies. The trade delegates met their Korean counterparts in a travel mart in Seoul on Tuesday, which will have another round in Busan on Thursday. Macau at Lotte World theme park
To meet Korean consumers, a Macau promotion had its official opening on Sunday at Lotte World theme park in Seoul. The occasion was officiated by Senna Fernandes, along with the CEO of Lotte World Yi Dong Wu, Adviser of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Olivia Lam, and Institute for Tourism Studies President Fanny Vong, among other guests. Visitors to Lotte World will get to know more about the attractions of Macau, with the initiative being widely promoted through the theme park's media channels network. A Macau booth, an "Experience Macau" themed display with the city's attractions, an exhibition and lucky-draws with travel packages to Macau are the main highlights of the promotion. The initiative, which started beginning of April and lasts until end of the month, also marks the celebration of the recreational complex's 25th Anniversary and Macau Special Administrative Region's 15th Anniversary this year. MGTO is the first government tourism organization to have the chance to conduct such joint promotion with the popular theme park, visited by an average of eight million people every year. Opened in 1989, Lotte World is a large complex with department store, hotel and other facilities, in addition to the theme park. Luncheon with CEOs from Korean Travel Agencies
MGTO hosted on Monday a luncheon-reception for top management Korean travel and tourism stakeholders and CDT members to meet and exchange on both destinations' tourism industry development. The vice-President for Marketing of Korea Tourism Organization Rhee Jae Sun, the Chairman of Korea Association of Travel Agents Yang Moo Seung and Korean travel agencies chief-executive-officers were present ad the luncheon, among other guests. During the luncheon, guests were briefed about Macau's marketing initiatives in Korea, along with successful cases that helped to boost the promotion of the destination among Koreans, such as TV programs, as well as upcoming promotional projects. In a speech at the occasion, Senna Fernandes highlighted the relevance of the Korean market to Macau. "Given the positive outlook, Korea is our main focus for this year among the international markets, and we are confident to see in 2014 the number of Koreans traveling to Macau reach the significant benchmark of half a million visitors." she noted. Korea is Macau's number-one international visitor-source market, excluding Greater China, and the fourth largest market after Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Following a double-digit increase between 2010 and 2012, visitor arrivals from Korea to Macau reached more than 474 thousand last year, 6.6 per cent more than the previous year. In the first two months of this year, Macau already welcomed above 111 thousand Korean visitors, 21.2 per cent more than the same period last year. The frequency of air connections between Macau and Korea has also kept on increasing, with Air Macau, Jin Air and Air Busan currently providing a total of nineteen flights a week. Travel mart and mini-seminars about Macau
For the sixth consecutive year MGTO is organizing in Seoul and Busan an annual travel mart to create business opportunities between Macau and Korean travel trade. In Seoul on Tuesday and in Busan this Thursday, MGTO organizes a travel mart and luncheon reception, along with other Macau promotional activities. As part of the program of the travel mart in Seoul, MGTO also organized a press conference, and themed presentations to provide practical information about Macau for Korean trade and media. Food columnist Yoojin Kim conducted a talk about Macau's gastronomy, entitled "Mr Kim's Tasteful Macau", travel photographer Seongbin Park shared his experience on "How to Take the Best Photo in Macau", while blogger Niki gave her tips and opinions on "Hip & Hop Places of Macau Now". The travel mart in Seoul was attended by around 150 Korean travel trade, while the event in Busan is expected to attract 80 Korean travel trade, to meet the Macau trade. This press release is available at: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/
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To enhance the exchange and co-operation of the related Macao government agencies and operators of the convention and exhibition industry with their counterparts in Shanghai, study in loco the development of the said industry in that city, and learn from the experience of Shanghai in the organization of convention and exhibition events, a six-member delegation, comprised of members of the External Co-operation Group of the Committee for the Development of Convention and Exhibition of the Macao SAR Government and a senior officer of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) visited Shanghai from April 15 to 17. During their stay in Shanghai, the Delegation made courtesy visits to the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and to the Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Industries Association, and also toured the soon to be completed China Expo Complex. Additionally, the Delegation also visited the Incentive Travel & Conference, Meetings 2014 (IT&CM China 2014), organized jointly by TTG Events, (a business group of TTG Asia Media, CITS International M.I.C.E. Co., Ltd. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of China International Travel Service) and MP International Pte. Ltd. During their stay in Shanghai, members of the Delegation made courtesy visits to the President (2013) and Vice-President (2014) of UFI – Global Association of the Exhibition Industry and, cumulatively, Deputy Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Mr. Chen Xianjing, and to the President of the Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Industries Association, Mr. Wu Chenglin, where they were briefed on the latest development of the convention and exhibition industry in Shanghai and had the opportunity to exchange valuable opinion about regional co-operation and the perspectives of the Macao´s convention and exhibition industry with their hosts. The delegation also took the opportunity to visit IT&CM China 2014, currently one of the most important Chinese commercial platforms for the MICE sector, and also one of the major professional conventions and business travel event in Asia-Pacific that attracts a wide range of MICE suppliers and buyers from all over the world, including those from Mainland China. IPIM has set-up a promotion counter at the Macao Pavilion, installed by the Macau Government Tourist Office at the venue, for contacts pre-scheduled by the IT&CM Organizers, with organizations interested to hold events in Macau, answer enquiries, promote Macao´s advantages as a convention and exhibition destination and the "One-Stop Service" provided by IPIM. Additionally, the Delegation also visited Shanghai Expo Co., Ltd., the developer of China Expo Complex, currently under construction, and also took the opportunity to tour the construction site. When completed, China Expo Complex will be the world´s largest single building and exhibition complex. Members of the Delegation included the Convenor of the External Co-operation Group of the Committee for the Development of Conventions and Exhibitions of the Macao SAR Government and President of IPIM, Mr. Jackson Chang, the President of Macau Fair & Trade Association, Mr. Tony Lam, the Chairman and the President of the Board of Directors of the Association of Advertising Agents of Macau, Mr. Edmund Wong and Mr. Kevin Bi, respectively, and the President of the Travel Industry Council of Macau, Mr. Andy Wu Keng Kuong. Mr. Sam Lei, Senior Manager of the Promotional Activities Department of IPIM, also joined the Delegation.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today revealed today that in addition to establishing a long-term mechanism to train talented individuals, the Government is also contemplating introducing a grassroots training mechanism based on the employment needs of the working population.
Speaking at the Questions and Answers session of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Chui said these mechanisms are aimed at enhancing the upward mobility of local residents and facilitate the sustainable development of Macao. He pointed out that establishing a long-term mechanism to effectively administer the cultivation of talent is a major policy of the Government for this year. To this end, the Government has set up a manpower development committee to implement the Elite Cultivation Programme, Expert Incentive Programme and Applied Talent Promotion Programme, to provide a mechanism to encourage talented Macao people to stay in or return to Macao. More training will also be offered to increase the opportunities and upward mobility of local residents, he said.
The Chief Executive said he learned of the lack of human resources in social services, tourism, convention and exhibition, information technology, nursing and education sectors from an earlier survey, especially in the demand for translators and legal professionals fluent in both Chinese and Portuguese. The Government will therefore strengthen talent training in these fields and allocate the budget to develop a comprehensive training programme to balance the demand and supply of capable people in the future.
In response to a legislator's question, Mr Chui reiterated that the "Homes for all in a contented society" is the goal of the Government's housing policy, while the public housing policy is "Public housing as the core supplemented by the Home Ownership Scheme". The present housing policy is mainly targeted on realising fairness. However, he said, he understood that the public's focus is on Home Ownership Scheme housing, and he would also be concerned about the ability of local citizens' to purchase housing in the private market.
Mr Chui also revealed that the Government, to support the development of Macao businesses, has filed a formal application to the central government to seek additional land in Hengqin through a compensated leasing mechanism.
This afternoon, the Chief Executive responded to questions from 27 members of the Legislative Assembly on a variety of subjects ranging from government policy and social issues, which included food safety, improvement in statistical work, legislation co-ordination, support for Small-and Medium-sized businesses, remuneration of junior civil servants, government performance, administrative reform, environmental improvement in Ka-Ho, medical services, moderate economic diversity, regional co-operation, development of the gaming industry, local competitiveness, living environment, inflation, pensions, light rail transit, family policies, environmental protection and sports.
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The Macao Orchestra de (OM) presents its first chamber opera in the concert L'Histoire du Soldat (A Soldier's Tale) in English and Cantonese, to take place on April 25 and 26, respectively, at the Dom Pedro V Theatre. Tickets are available at the Kong Seng Ticketing Network outlets.
The Music Promotion Series, established by OM two seasons ago, aims to take musical appreciation to all social circles and age levels and has been very well received. In this season and within the framework of this series, OM premieres L' Histoire du Soldat (A Soldier's Tale) by Igor Stravinsky, featuring a sophisticated orchestra and extraordinary vocal music, offering to the public of all ages a true feast for the senses. Written during World Word I, the piece was described by its composer as "mobile theatre" accompanied by seven musical instruments. In order to cater to a diversified audience, sessions in different languages will be held, namely in English, on 25 April at 8 pm, and Cantonese on 26 April at 3 pm. Children over 3 are admitted. The tickets for this concert priced at MOP 80 and 60 are available at the Kong Seng Ticketing Network Tickets. Tickets holders that wish to attend another session than that for which they have acquired tickets, can change these at the Kong Seng Ticketing Network outlets until April 23. For more information, please check OM's website at www.icm.gov.mo/om.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (128.81) for March 2014 increased by 6.36% year-on-year, attributable to higher charges for eating out, rising rentals for dwellings and dearer prices of vegetables. In comparison with March 2013, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+12.37%); Household Goods & Furnishings (+7.18%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.51%) on account of higher rentals, dearer prices of vegetables, and rising charges for eating out and domestic services. The CPI-A (129.50) and CPI-B (129.20) increased by 6.95% and 6.24% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for March 2014 increased by 0.38% month-to-month upon rising charges for eating out and higher rentals. Meanwhile, receding prices of fresh fish and vegetables as well as seasonal sale of women's Winter footwear offset part of the increase. Price index of Transport and Housing & Fuels increased by 1.14% and 0.70% respectively, while price index of Clothing & Footwear decreased by 1.09%. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.35% and 0.42% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended March 2014, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.69% from the previous period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+10.66%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.62%) registered remarkable increase, while price index of Communication decreased by 2.12%. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.30% and 5.56% respectively. The average Composite CPI for the first quarter of 2014 increased by 6.12% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.77% and 6.01% 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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Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) will jointly organise Summer International Exchange Programme 2014 with Dusit Thani College, Thailand from 13 to 19 July in Bangkok, Thailand. The objectives of the Programme are to build up students' knowledge about Thai culture and cuisine, and to develop students' social networking skills and successful mindset through the international exchange. Full-time undergraduate students of higher education institutions around the world are welcome to apply. During the Programme, participants will be arranged to attend seminars, workshops and visits, in order to learn about the theme, while professionals and senior lecturers from various related fields will share their experiences to strengthen the learning impact. Each participant will be presented a certificate by the organiser. Since 1998, this Summer International Exchange Programme has been launched with different annual themes. It brought students from various places to Macao for cultural exchange. Starting from 2009, IFT collaborated with overseas partner high education institutions to jointly orgainsed the Programme for broadening the horizon of the students. The opportunity to experience overseas life, diversified cultures and gain further international exposure is definitely beneficial to those who will step into the tourism industry in the future. This is the sixth year that IFT had the Programme partnered with an institution beyond Macao. In the previous years, the partnered joint organising institutions are from UK, India, Seoul, Hangzhou and Chinese Taiwan. IFT strives to elevate and globalise its tourism education in the region through organising different types of exchange programmes. For those who are interested in the Programme, please visit our website http://www2.ift.edu.mo/summer2014/ and apply online by 30 April. For enquiries, please email to admission@ift.edu.mo or call 85983-042.
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The Macau Grand Prix Committee (MGPC), in cooperation with the Macau Government Tourist Office, will be promoting the SAR's premier annual sporting event during the Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit's Fountain Plaza from April 18 to 20. Increased direct connections between Shanghai and Macau have resulted in greater tourism traffic in recent years. According to data collected last year's Macau Grand Prix, in addition to Guangdong Province, browsers in Shanghai showed a high level of interest in the event, making it an important visitor market for Macau. MGPC is therefore using the opportunity of the Chinese F1 Grand Prix to attract more local people to visit its event. The new Macau Grand Prix Race Control Tower, completed last year, is the background theme to the promotional booth which features a dynamic and colourful design. The exhibition includes the Formula 3 car in which Daniel Juncadella won the 2011 Macau Grand Prix, and the motorcycle which John McGuinness rode to victory in the 2001 Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix. Visitors to the booth can take pictures with the racing machinery, while two simulators recreate all the trills of the unique Guia street circuit. A new feature this year is a message board where visitors may make comments, bringing the MGPC closer to its audience.
According to Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix organisers, the three-day event attracted 180,000 spectators. The Macau Grand Prix Committee had met FIA Formula One World Championship Race Director Mr. Charles Whiting in the Paddock of Chinese F1 Grand Prix Circuit. Mr. Zhang Huimin, Mr. Gong Deqing and Mr. Lance Jiang, President, Secretary and CEO of the Shanghai Juss Event Management Co., Ltd., visited the Macau Grand Prix exhibition.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that Macao was home to 181,074 households in 2012/2013, an increase of 13,887 compared with 2007/2008. In view of the substantial increase in households, the average household size shrank further over the past five years, from 3.14 in 2007/2008 to 3.05 in 2012/2013. Analysed by type of housing, a total of 155,746 households (86.0% of total) were living in private housing, 18,886 (10.4%) in economic housing and 6,442 (3.6%) in social housing.
Monthly consumption expenditure of all households reached MOP 5.28 billion, surging by 68.5% from 2007/2008 in nominal terms or 37.7% in real terms after removing the effect of prices. Average monthly consumption expenditure amounted to MOP 29,177 per household, an increase of 27.1% in real terms.
In respect of household consumption structure, Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Housing & Fuels were two important household spending, accounting for 51.4% of the total consumption expenditure, an increase of 2.8 percentage points from five years ago. The relative importance of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (25.7% of total) declined by 1.9 percentage points in comparison with 2007/2008; on the contrary, soaring property prices pushed up the relative importance of Housing & Fuels by 4.7 percentage points, at 25.7% in 2012/2013.
The average biweekly consumption expenditure outside Macao amounted to MOP 1,063 per household. Analysed by city or region, Guangdong Province remained the most popular location, with household spending a biweekly average of MOP 634, while spending in Gongbei and Zhuhai was MOP 527. In addition, biweekly consumption expenditure in Hong Kong rose by 47.7% in real terms over the past five year, at MOP 232.
Household income registered robust increase amid continuous economic growth. Total monthly income of all households reached MOP 7.50 billion in 2012/2013, up by 45.2% in real terms. In comparison with five years earlier, the average monthly income (MOP 41,423) and monthly disposable income (MOP 39,545) per household increased by 34.1% and 54.3% in real terms respectively.
Employment income constituted the primary source of household income (73.4% of total), which was followed by property income (14.6%) and monetary transfer receipts (12.0%). As a consequence of the increase in social welfare and subsidies, the relative importance of monetary transfer receipts rose from 9.8% to 12.0%. As regard property income, rising rentals spurred rent receipts from property leasing by 75.4% in real terms.
The percentage share of households having monthly income under MOP 30,000 stood at 39.3%, down substantially by 19.4 percentage points over the past five years, among these households, relative importance (14.6%) of those having monthly income under MOP 15,000 declined by 9.8 percentage points. On the contrary, 30.7% of households having monthly income of MOP 50,000 and above, an increase of 15.7 percentage points from 2007/2008.
Over the past five years, increase in household income (34.1% in real terms) exceeded the increase in consumption expenditure (27.1% in real terms). Households having monthly income under MOP 30,000 dropped notably, while those having monthly income of MOP 30,000 and above rose substantially, indicating that income growth was broad-based and beneficial to households in different income groups, and household income was more equally distributed. The Gini coefficient that measures the inequality of income distribution stood at 0.35 in 2012/2013, lower than 0.38 as recorded five years ago; excluding government subsidies, Gini coefficient was 0.38, also lower than that of 0.40 in 2007/2008.
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