News

As a new year comes around and everything looks fresh and cheerful, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) wishes all residents and visitors good health and prosperity in the Year of the Rabbit, and that the tourism industry of Macau would continue to develop and diversify, building the city into a global center of tourism and leisure. MGTO and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) join hands to organize celebratory activities on the first day of Lunar New Year (Feb 3) at the Ruins of St. Paul's and Senado Square to mark the spring festival and add a festive atmosphere to the city. Visitor arrivals came close to 25 million last year, registering an increase of 14.8% compared with 2009.The number of visitor arrivals to Macau surged from 7.5 million in 1999 to almost 25 million in 2010, a growth of more than 330%.
The "Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta" consolidates Macau's position as a global center of tourism and leisure, and Macau is leveraging this strategic position and development direction. MGTO has also dedicated efforts to showcase Macau’s unique multi-cultural characteristics through various activities and products. Lunar New Year is an important festival in Chinese society and also a peak season for visitors to experience the traditional celebrations in Macau. MGTO and IACM take this opportunity to express New Year greetings to residents and hospitality to visitors. On the first morning of Lunar New Year, Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes, Vice President of IACM, Lei Wai Nong and Deputy Director of MGTO Helena Fernandes, joined by other guests, hosted the eye-dotting ceremony of the golden dragon and lions at the Ruins of St. Paul's and lit firecrackers at Senado Square to mark the celebrations. Guests and officials from MGTO, teamed up with the God of Fortune, greeted the public and distributed "Lai Si" (red packets with lucky money) and souvenirs to residents and visitors. "Lai Si" distributed by the God of Fortune bestow good luck and fortune for the Year of the Rabbit. The crowd also enjoyed lively performance by the folkloric art troupe from Anhui province. During Lunar New Year, MGTO's "Tourism Hotline 2833 3000" maintains its 24-hour operator service to answer tourists' enquiries. MGTO advises visitors to stay at licensed hotels and guesthouses for a pleasant journey. Visitors and residents can enjoy the parade of the 238-meter long golden dragon at major tourist spots. The vibrant dragon and lion dances signal Macau to be as energetic and spirited as these noble creatures in the Year of the Rabbit. The vivacity and gentle characteristics of the rabbit encourage Macau’s residents to live in harmony and work hand in hand for the betterment of Macau. The Lunar New Year celebrations are held on the first and second day of the Lunar New Year. Details of the activities are available on the website of MGTO http://www.macautourism.gov.mo. In keeping with tradition, lucky "Lai Si" will be distributed at MGTO counters during Lunar New Year while stock lasts. Each packet contains a 10-cent coin as a symbol of MGTO's wishes for good luck and prosperity throughout the year. On Lunar New Year's Eve, MGTO staged a splendid fireworks extravaganza set off from barges anchored in waters just off the Macau Tower to usher in the Year of the Rabbit. Thousands of residents and visitors gathered at the waterfront for the magnificent spectacle.
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In his Lunar New Year Message today, Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On said the Government would continue to promote economic expansion, enhance the livelihood of the people and build Macao an even better place together with the people of Macao. In reminiscence of the Year of the Tiger, Mr Chui said Macao had made achievements in propelling a swift recovery in economy and in ensuring social stability. The Government would continue to bring and share the gains among the people. In these joyful days, we have to care and help socially vulnerable groups and share our happiness with them, he said. Mr Chui also thanked civil servants and people who had to work over the holidays, and he wished everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
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A survey on the evaluation of Consumer Council’s ‘No Plastic Bag Day’ conducted earlier shows that most consumers and ‘Certified Shops’ and ‘Adherents’ interviewed agreed to increase the number of days of the current monthly ‘No Plastic Bag Day’. Survey details have been published in the latest issue of Consumer Report. In order to better the current ‘No Plastic Bag Day’ scheme, the Council interviewed over 800 consumers and 52 retail stores participating in the scheme for their opinion and statistics, etc. Survey result shows that most interviewees were aware of ‘No Plastic Bag Day’ on 28th of each month, quite a number of consumers said they had reduced the number of plastic bags used since the scheme launched and now had their own shopping bag; however, such data was not reflected from surveys collected from ‘Certified Shops’ and ‘Adherents’. Consumer Council will improve its strategies in promoting ‘No Plastic Bag Day’ base on the result of the said survey. When asked about their opinion on the number of ‘No Plastic Bag Day’, both consumers and ‘Certified Shops’ and ‘Adherents’ participating in the scheme agreed to increase the number of days of the current scheme; most interviewees voted for a weekly scheme, others chose biweekly or three times a month; the suggestion of making every day a ‘No Plastic Bag Day’ gained the 3rd largest number of votes. The Council is now planning to increase the number of days of the said scheme. Consumers International (CI) announced its yearly theme for 2011 to be ‘Consumers for Fair Financial Services’. CI states that ‘consumer financial services are complex and exist in a dynamic and fast changing market which can be challenging for consumers. The issue is made all the more pressing by the addition of 150 million new consumers of financial services to the global economy each year - many in countries with low levels of financial literacy and traditionally weak consumer protection.’ CI therefore announced ‘Consumers for Fair Financial Services’ to be its 2011 theme, and provided suggestions to world leaders to make sure consumers around the world are able to receive fair financial services. CI’s key information is listed in the latest Consumer Report. The latest Consumer Report issue no. 210 also introduces the use of electronic money and electric blanket. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the two offices of the Consumer Council, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources online at the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For inquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the value of total merchandise export for December 2010 decreased by 20.6% year-on-year to MOP540 million, with value of domestic exports rising by 1.2% to MOP202 million, but that of re-exports falling by 29.7% to MOP338 million. The value of total merchandise import amounted to MOP4.55 billion, up notably by 25.8% year-on-year. A trade deficit of MOP4.01 billion was recorded for December 2010. In the fourth quarter of 2010, total value of merchandise export (MOP1.67 billion) dropped by 11.9% year-on-year, but that of merchandise import (MOP12.36 billion) rose by 20.4%, resulting in a trade deficit of MOP10.68 billion. Merchandise export of Macao remained sluggish in 2010; value of total merchandise export fell by 9.3% year-on-year to MOP6.96 billion, of which value of domestic exports and re-exports declined by 19.6% and 2.8% respectively. Value of total merchandise import rebounded to 2007-level, up by 19.6% from 2009 to MOP44.12 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened by 27.1% year-on-year to MOP37.16 billion in 2010; the exports/imports ratio went down by 5.0 percentage points year-on-year to 15.8%. For the whole year of 2010, analyzed by destination of exported goods, value of merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP3.00 billion) and Mainland China (MOP1.10 billion) decreased by 0.4% and 1.4% respectively year-on-year, and that to the USA (MOP782 million) and the EU (MOP409 million) dropped substantially by 40.2% and 35.2% respectively. Exports of Textile & garment amounted to MOP1.63 billion, posting a decrease of 34.1% year-on-year to account for merely 23.4% of total merchandise export; however, value of Non-textile exports (MOP5.33 billion) grew by 2.5%, with that of Tobacco & wine and Copper & articles thereof rising notably by 47.6% and 40.5% respectively. Regarding the country of origin of imported goods, in 2010, value of merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP13.72 billion) and the EU (MOP9.96 billion) expanded by 18.6% and 27.5% respectively year-on-year. Value of imports of Consumer goods rose by 32.6% year-on-year, with that of Motor cars & motorcycles soaring by 69.1%; nevertheless, the value of imports of Raw materials & semi-manufactures fell by 1.5%. For the whole year of 2010, total value of merchandise import and export stood at MOP51.08 billion, up by 14.6% compared with MOP44.57 billion in 2009.
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Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has waged a total of 101 sanctions and five operators who provided accommodation illegally were fined 200 000 patacas. Other cases are in different stages of sanction proceedings. Till 5pm of February 1, 2011, the Cross-departmental Working Team conducted 1,239 premise-checks, involving 815 premises, of which 101 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 120 were normal residences. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force (PSP) will continue investigation on unanswered doors, which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. Meanwhile, during investigations to other cases, PSP has found 23 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To date, the operations involved 1,046 occupants, among whom 466 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 22 overstayers and 16 illegal immigrants. 18 operators, 14 touts, 16 persons who managed the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and seven occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation were seized on site.
MGTO has begun sanction proceedings on offenders according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation". If the five operators who provided accommodation illegally, who were fined 200 000 patacas, do not pay within the statutory period, the Financial Services Bureau will enforce the collection of fine. Meanwhile, the seven occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation were fined 3 000 patacas each, among which three have paid the fine. For those who fail to pay the fine within the statutory period, MGTO has notified the Financial Services Bureau to enforce the collection of fine and informed PSP that the involved persons should pay the fine or their reentry into Macau will be denied. According to the law, operators and persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty of up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas, persons who fail to cooperate can be fined up to 20 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas.
Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises.
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The Macau Museum, the Tap Seac Gallery, the Mandarin's House, the Lou Kau Mansion, the Museum of Sacred Art, the Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre, the Pawnshop Museum as well as the Guia Fortress Chapel will be opened as usual during Chinese Lunar New Year. A series of cultural activities will also be provided. Citizens and tourists are welcomed to enjoy local cultural activities during the Festival. The Museum of Sacred Art, the Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre, the Pawnshop Museum and the Guia Fortress Chapel will be opened from February 2nd to February 6th. 'Heavenly Harmonies – Taoist Ritual Music in Macao' exhibition is now presenting by the Macau Museum, publics are welcome to pay a visit. In 2009, the Taoist Ritual Music has become an element of Macao's local intangible cultural heritage. Macau Museum would like to increase citizens' awareness to the importance of cultural heritage protection. At the same time, visitors could review the moment when Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Macao last year through the videos shown at the Macau Museum. Local residents and students are welcomed to visit for free every Sudnay. The Tap Seac Gallery will be opened everyday as usual during Chinese Lunar New Year. A solo exhibition by Taiwanese artist Wu Dar-Kuen will remain on display through February 13th. The exhibition, titled Mi-Lou (a-Maze) - interactive new media, includes an interactive installation, along with a series of photographs taken during Wu's visits to other countries, such as the US and Japan. The 'Floriculture for the Chinese Lunar New Year' and the 'Flour sculpture and wood block craftworks' workshops are now presented at the Lou Kau Mansion. 'Flour sculpture and wood block craftworks' is hosted by a technologist from Shandong province and will remain on display through February 6th, follow with the 'Porcelain and paper-cut in high density' workshop from February 8th . Further, The Macau Central library will be closed from February 3rd to February 5th. From February 6th will be opened again as usual. Except certain museums and sites, the public is invited to attend the activities above for free of charge. Interested parties are welcomed to make inquires by calling 83996636 during office hours or through the website of Cultural Affairs Bureau www.icm.gov.mo. Timetable: Museums open with a series of cultural activities during Chinese Lunar New Year Please read attachment!
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The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) today appealed to Macao residents to be on the alert to the situation in Egypt and halt plans to visit the country. If necessary, they could call the Tourism Hotline (853-28333000) for information. According to available information from the tourism sector, there are currently no tours from Macao and Macao residents integrated in outbound tour groups in the country. The Hong Kong Travel Industry Council decided at the end of their meeting today (January 31) to continue to have all excursions to Egypt halted until 12h00 on 8 February. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has already ordered the dispatch of a chartered flight to the capital Cairo to bring stranded Chinese citizens home. GGCT continues to carefully monitor the developments in Egypt, reminding Macao residents that if necessary, they may always contact the Tourism Hotline: 853-28333000. From January 29 until 15h00 of today (January 31), GGCT has received one request for information regarding the current situation in the country. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has already issued a statement to the citizens, whose full text is as follows: "Despite the recent deterioration of safety conditions in certain parts of Egypt, with several deaths and injuries already confirmed, there is no data which include Chinese citizens. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China pays close attention to the safety of China's citizens in Egypt, having been activated contingency mechanisms and contacts, including telephone hotlines operating 24 hours a day in order to give all necessary support to its citizens in case of emergency. “The Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese Embassy in Egypt warns citizens to halt possible both individual and group travel plans to Egypt. For those who already are in Egypt, citizens should strengthen prevention awareness and safety, reduce unnecessary activities, avoid traveling to places where incidents occur or places with gathering of large groups of people. “However, in any case of emergency, citizens should provide timely notice to local law enforcement authorities or seek support from their respective embassies and Chinese consulates in Egypt, through the following 24 hours telephone numbers: “Chinese Embassy in Egypt: 002-02-27361219; 002-02-27363219; 002-02-27363556 “Chinese Consulate General in Alexandria, Egypt: 0020-3-3916953; 0020-3-3924324 “Centre for Consular Protection and Assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 010-65963747.”
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the average daily wage of construction workers was MOP619 in the fourth quarter of 2010, up by 13.8% quarter-to-quarter. The average daily wage of skilled & semi-skilled workers (MOP638) rose by 9.4%, and that of unskilled workers (MOP363) went up by 3.4%. Among the skilled & semi-skilled workers, electricians & electrical workers (MOP762), welders (MOP711), fire service mechanics (MOP675) and truck drivers (MOP670) were earning higher average wages. After discounting the effect of inflation, the wage index of construction workers for the fourth quarter of 2010 was 101.5 in real terms, up by 5.0% over the previous quarter. For the whole year of 2010, the average wage index of construction workers (96.5) decreased by 0.8% year-on-year in real terms. As regards construction materials, the average price of spiral & round reinforcing steel bars increased by 10.7% quarter-to-quarter to MOP4,992 per tonne, and that of Portland cement rose by 0.5% to MOP646 per tonne; moreover, the average price of concrete also registered an increase of 1.0%, at MOP311 per cubic metre. In the fourth quarter of 2010, the price index of construction materials for residential buildings rose by 6.7% quarter-to-quarter to 144.1; in particular, the price indices of electric wires and steel increased by 17.5% and 8.3% respectively, and the price indices of pipes and timber also went up by 3.0% and 2.9%. Compared with the same quarter of 2009, the price index of construction materials for residential buildings registered an increase of 13.8%. In 2010, the average price index of construction materials for residential buildings (137.5) increased by 9.8% year-on-year.
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MGTO is attentive to recent news reports about surging room rates in Macau during the Spring Festival. To date, MGTO has received one complaint on hotel room rate this year. However, as the complainant has not provided any concrete information, the case is still under investigation. The “Tourism Notification System for Spring Festival Golden Week” will start operation from February 2 to transmit information such as the number of visitors, room rates and hotel occupancy rates, including average room rates of guesthouses and hotels as well as occupancy rates of 3 to 5-star hotels. MGTO pointed out that 2 to 5-star and 5-star deluxe hotels in Macau offer different types of hotel rooms, ranging from standard guest rooms to villa suites which vary in size and room rate. Visitors are advised to check and compare the category and rate of the rooms on reservation. As hotel room rates are set by the supply and demand of the market, which is an economic behavior rather than a legal act, the government will not interfere with general market operation. MGTO has established a regular mechanism with hotels in Macau, which requires each hotel to report the rates of different room categories when opening for business and on renewal of its license every year. MGTO will register the rates submitted by the hotels. To facilitate investigation, visitors should state clearly information such as the date of check in, hotel name, room category and/or room number, booking voucher and receipt when filing for complaints. MGTO expressed that hotels and travel agencies maintain a cooperative relationship which authorizes travel agencies to sell rooms on behalf of the hotels legally. Travel agencies and hotels cooperate in different formats, such as obtaining rooms in one batch or fulfilling a certain quota of rooms over a certain period of time, and travel agencies would need to pay for the rooms even they are unsold. According to the law, the travel agency will be subjected to criminal charges if it is found to deliberately hoard hotel rooms and manipulate the room rate illegally during peak seasons. To provide Mainland visitors with Macau’s most updated tourism information, hotels in Macau are requested to report the average room rates and occupancy rates to MGTO before and during the Golden Week and MGTO will advise major source markets in the Mainland (Guangdong and Fujian provinces) of the relevant information, which will then be released by local tourism bureaus to the media. MGTO, the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Administration and the Fujian Tourism Administration will activate the Golden Week notification system from February 2 to 9. Through this system, MGTO transmits to its counterparts in Guangdong and Fujian daily information such as the number of visitors that entered Macau the day before, the share of Mainland visitors, average room rates for the ensuing five days and hotel occupancy rates, to encourage visitors to check and compare the room rates before their outbound trips. To boost transparency, for the first time the data collected for the notification system will be published on MGTO’s website, to allow the media, visitors and the general public to be informed of the average hotel room rates and occupancy rates during the Spring Festival period. During the golden week holiday, MGTO will strengthen publicity efforts to raise awareness against illegal accommodation and to remind visitors to stay away from illegal accommodation for a safe and pleasant journey. During the Spring Festival period, MGTO inspectors will intensify surveillance at Macau's most visited sites and border checkpoints, while MGTO information counters and the tourism hotline 28 333 000 continue to operate. The tourism hotline will be attended by operators around the clock. The two public bus companies are advised to maintain sufficient service to cope with the surge in passenger flow.
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As Lunar New Year approaches, a specific price survey on 7 festive foods from 24 retail outlets was conducted earlier by the Consumer Council. The current survey report dated 26th January shows that significant price difference is observed for the same product selling in different retail outlets. Consumers are advised to check the report prior to making purchase. In comparison with last year’s data, prices of ‘Kraft Ritz Sandwich Cracker (432g)’ have decreased by around 10%, prices of ‘Planters Premium Selection (622g)’ have also dropped by around 5%, though the latter recorded a price increase of over 12% at Park'N Shop in Taipa. Other surveyed samples such as ‘Ferrero Rocher(300g)’, ‘Brown & Haley Almond Roca (340g)’, ‘Sugus Assorted Fruited Flavour Chews (350g)’, ‘Kjeldsens Butter Cookies (681g)’ and ‘Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookies (681g)’ all recorded both increase and decrease in prices. Last year, the average price difference recorded for the same product selling in different outlets was about 20%, this year, however, the figure has increased to around 25%-30%. Extra discount is offered to consumers buying in bulk in certain outlets; however, consumers are advised to make purchase according to personal needs to avoid buying too much stock of festive foods. The said price survey on festive foods is now available online at the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo). As peak shopping season nears, Economic Services department (DSE), Macau Government Tourist Office (DST), Transport Bureau (DSAT), Judiciary Police (PJ), Public Security Police Force (PSP), Macao Custom Service and Provisional Municipal Council (IACM) were called for a meeting on the discussion of ‘unscrupulous shops’. Consumer Council states that involved departments have been working closely in dealing with ‘unscrupulous shops’ during the past year and no serious case of shops doing business in unethical ways has been observed recently. Participating departments at the meeting all agreed to work closely and enhance their surveillance work during this peak shopping season. Businesses in Macau, especially ‘Certified Shops’ and ‘Adherents’, are called on to provide good-quality services and products to all local citizens and tourists. Should any citizen or tourist find his or her consumer rights being infringed, he or she should file a complaint at the Council or other departments. The Council will also assign its staff to provide services to consumers through its hotline during 11am to 6pm each day during 4th-6th February. Further, consumers are called on to support environmental protection especially during Chinese New Year time by using recycle bags when purchasing festive items. ‘Certified Shops’ and ‘Adherents’ are also urged to control the number of bags given to consumers.
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