News

The IFT Alumni Annual Dinner was successfully held on 7 June, 2013 at L'Arc Macau. Ms. Florence Ian, Acting president of IFT, Mr. Antonio Chu, Head of Technical and Academic Support Division of IFT, President of Board of Directors of IFT Alumni Association Mr. William Wong, members of IFT Alumni Association and Student Union, alumni and other guests attended. President of Board of Directors of IFT Alumni Association Mr. William Wong reviewed the work of the Alumni Association and called for interested alumni to join the Association as the election of new board members is going to be held this year. Our honorable guest Ms. Florence Ian, Acting president of IFT, emphasised that the success of IFT is all relying on their professionalism and contribution to the hospitality industry. She expressed sincere gratitude to the alumni for their great support to the Institute. In the future, the Institute will continue providing more comprehensive services to the alumni. Mr. Antonio Chu, Head of Technical and Academic Support Division introduced the function of IFT Alumni Affairs to the alumni and thank you for their continuous support to our activities as always. During the dinner, IFT Student Union representative and alumni gave singing performances, while games and lucky draw were arranged to make the evening night a memorable one.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals in package tours increased by 10.2% year-on-year to 766,971 in April 2013. Package tour visitors mainly came from Mainland China (582,998), with 209,307 coming from Guangdong Province, followed by those from Taiwan, China (49,485); the Republic of Korea (35,301) and Hong Kong (32,678). In the first four months of 2013, visitors in package tours totalled 3,064,304, up by 11.4% year-on-year. Local residents travelling outbound using services of travel agencies increased by 29.4% year-on-year to 114,960 in April this year; those travelling in package tours totalled 42,629, with Mainland China; Taiwan, China; Hong Kong and the Republic of Korea being the main destinations. In the first four months of 2013, outbound residents increased by 27.6% year-on-year to 480,530, of which 176,947 travelled in package tours. There were 99 hotels and guesthouses operating at the end of April 2013, providing 28,111 rooms, up by 16.1% year-on-year; guest rooms of 5-star hotels accounted for 66.6% of the total. In April 2013, the hotels and guesthouses received 897,340 guests, up by 16.9% year-on-year. The average length of stay of guests decreased by 0.1 night year-on-year to 1.3 nights. The majority of guests came from Mainland China (59.2% of total) and Hong Kong (16.8%). The average occupancy rate of hotels and guesthouses decreased by 1.5 percentage points to 80.5%, with that of 4-star hotels at 84.6%. In the first four months of 2013, number of guests increased by 16.1% year-on-year to 3,421,831; the average occupancy rate stood at 79.9%, down by 3.0 percentage points. In the first four months of 2013, visitor-guests took up 70.6% of the total number of overnight visitors, higher than the 64.0% in the same period of 2012.
…

The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP128.5 billion (USD16.07 billion) at the end of May 2013. The reserves fell by 0.3% from the revised value of MOP128.9 billion (USD16.12 billion) for the previous month. When compared with a year earlier, the reserves dropped by MOP2.7 billion or 2.1%. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-May 2013 represented 16 times the currency in circulation or 131.2% of Pataca M2 at end-April 2013. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca, a gauge of the domestic currency's exchange rates against the currencies of Macao's major trading partners, rose by 0.27 points month-to-month and 0.59 points year-on-year to 98.39 in May 2013. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
…

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) participates in the 27th Hong Kong International Travel Expo (ITE) to promote leisure and business tourism of Macau. MGTO Head of Destination Marketing Department, Ms. Betty Fok, led the MGTO delegation and trade partners to join the opening ceremony of the Expo today (13/6). The 27th Hong Kong International Travel Expo takes place in Hong Kong from 13th to 16th June. To showcase the diversified and latest tourism products in Macau to international exhibitors, trade buyers and public visitors, MGTO together with Macau Economic Services, Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and 42 Macau trade representatives from hotels, travel agencies, ferry companies, event organizers and destination management companies participated in the Expo. MGTO joined the Guangdong‧Hong Kong‧Macau Trade Networking Event held in the Expo today (13/6), and hosted an in-booth cocktail reception to greet over 250 Hong Kong travel trade partners, incentive travel organizers, representatives from the education sector and media friends. This year, MGTO employs the promotional theme "Touching Moments Experience Macau" for the booth design. The traditional Portuguese style building represents Macau's blended culture of the East and the West spanning over 400 years. To promote the 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest and the 60th Macau Grand Prix, there is the 2011 champion Formula 3 racing car display and fireworks canopy to indulge the visitors into the festive atmosphere. To provide visitors the fastest and instant access to the latest Macau travel information, MGTO launched the "Experience Macau" smartphone app last year, downloadable from App Store and Google Play. There are tablets available at the booth for visitors to try the app and visit the "Touching Moments Experience Macau" Facebook fan page which promotes Macau tourism in Hong Kong. Moreover, MGTO representatives in Hong Kong organize travel seminars for the trade and public visitors. On 14th June, MGTO will speak at the MICE seminar to promote business tourism of Macau. On 15th June, a seminar about educational tours and exchange programs for students will be held. In addition, "Touching Moments Experience Macau" travel seminars will be held on the consumer days to introduce the latest tourism offerings and thematic itineraries for public visitors. MGTO capitalizes every opportunity to promote Macau tourism, striving to diversify visitor source market and tourism product offering. On 15th June, MGTO will host an "Experience Macau" one day familiarization tour for ITE international buyers, in which 16 participants from Mainland China, Thailand, Singapore, India and Europe, etc will have a chance to further understand the city's potential as a destination for leisure and business tourism.
…

A joint delegation of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province and Tourism Administration of Guangzhou Municipality visited Portugal this week to meet a number of local tourism officials and trade executives for promotion of Macau and multi-destination tours. MGTO also participated in "Festas de Lisboa" to raise the destination's profile and encourage visits from Europe to Macau. The delegation visited Lisbon, Portugal from June 10 – 13, with members including MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Vice Director of Tourism Administration of Guangzhou Municipality, Zhou Ze Jian, Head of Division of Affairs on Tourism of Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan of Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province, Mao Cheng, Head of Destination Marketing Department of MGTO, Betty Fok and Head of Tourism Product and Events Department of MGTO, Isabel Augusto. During their visit in Portugal, the delegation had the opportunity to meet the President of Tourism of Portugal , Frederico Costa, President of Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies (APAVT), Pedro Costa Ferreira and other local trade partners. During a dinner cohosted by MGTO and APAVT on June 11, local media and trade partners were updated about the latest tourism development of Macau and Guangdong as well as multi-destination tours to Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, with the delegation's aim of expanding long-haul markets and fostering market diversification. Following the dragon dance performance last year, MGTO led a lion dance team to join the Popular Street Marching Parade in Lisbon this year. The parade took place on June 12 as one of the most popular events of the Portuguese traditional festivity – "Festas de Lisboa". Comprising 10 lions, the Macau lion dance team presented a lively performance along Avenida da Liberdade – the central avenue in Lisbon, fascinating European visitors with Macau's unique cultural gem. Their show in the parade marked one of the exchange activities between MGTO and the organizer of Festas de Lisboa. The lion dance team also presented two shows at Lisbon's famous integrated indoor arena, Atlantic Pavilion on June 8 and 9 consecutively. The press release is available at www.macautourism.gov.mo
…

Organised by the People´s Government of Beijing Municipality and the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region, the 2nd Beijing Macao Co-operation and Exchange Symposium will take place in Macao, on 10 and 11 July. The Government of Beijing Municipality will bring a high-level delegation to participate in the event in Macao. The year's Symposium will follow the theme of the previous year – "Deepen Co-operation and Exchange and Promote Mutual Development". The event consists of six major components, namely, the opening ceremony and the signing of co-operation protocols, Seminar for Co-operation and Exchange and Promotion of Special Projects, co-ordination in co-operation and exchange projects, photo exhibition entitled "Charming Beijing", Beijing-Macao Ethnic Concert and Beijing-Macao Youth Sports Exchange. As an extension of the Symposium, the Beijing Municipality will also arrange for delegations to visit Macao to participate in the 18th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF). During the Symposium, the Governments of Beijing Municipality and Macao SAR will sign four co-operation agreements, covering tourism, trade, science and small and medium-sized enterprises. The principal activity under the Symposium will be the Projects Promotion Seminar of the 2nd Beijing Macao Co-operation and Exchange Symposium, to be held on 10 July at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. While relying on the ability of government agencies of Beijing and Macao, it is also imperative to develop the organisational functions of the non-government trade associations and chambers of commerce. In this regard, the trade in services, cultural and creative industries, innovative technologies, small and medium-sized enterprises and tourism were identified as key sectors for Co-operation and Exchange. Beijing Municipality has organised a delegation of about 60, comprised of businesspeople from the aforementioned sectors and organisations, to conduct negotiations with their counterparts in Macao on the various forms of collaboration. According to the Organisers, thanks to the active support of the Government of Beijing Municipality and the Macao SAR Government, very enthusiastic responses were received from trade associations and chambers of commerce from both places, for their participation in the2nd Beijing Macao Co-operation and Exchange Symposium. Taking the opportunity of the Symposium, a series of protocols for medium and long-term co-operation will be signed during the Symposium. The signing of these protocols will ensure the establishment of regular and sustainable development of exchanges and reciprocation between Beijing and Macao. This will also signify that adequate mechanisms for multi-level and far-reaching exchanges and collaboration, both at government and non-government levels, are in place. As explained by officials of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal Government, Beijing has attached great importance to and has made full use of Macao´s excellent business environment and extensive international market resources since 2010, as demonstrated by them bringing high-level and large Beijing delegations to Macao, for three consecutive years, to participate in the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair, Macao´s most prestigious international trade and investment event, which resulted in the surge of "Beijing Enthusiasm". The 1st Beijing Macao Economic and Trade Exchange Symposium, which was held in Beijing in September 2012, marked the opening of a brand new chapter in exchanges between the two cities. This year, based on the deepening of economic and trade relations, there will be a pragmatic strengthening of exchanges and collaboration between the two cities, as preparations will follow the guidelines of "Economy and Trade as the Base to Radiate to Other Sectors". In this connection, the name of the event will change from "Economic and Trade Exchange Symposium" to "Co-operation and Exchange Symposium", aiming to strengthen the recognition by the public, especially by the younger generation. One of the important components of the e Symposium this year will be the "Charming Beijing" photo exhibition, organised by the Information Office of the People´s Government of Beijing Municipality, to be held during the Symposium, in Exhibition Hall 3 of Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. A collection of cloisonné art work will be on display and visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the production of items made from the material. The Beijing-Macao Ethnic Concert and the Special Sports Show by the youngsters of the two cities will further enrich the exchange and reciprocation between Beijing and Macao.
…

Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on seasonings on 11th June for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call the Council's hotline: 8988 9315.
…

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today (Tuesday 11 June) sent a congratulatory message to the Central Government on the successful launch of the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft. On behalf of the Government of the Macao SAR, the Chief Executive expressed in the message the warmest congratulations on another important breakthrough achieved by the country in aerospace science. Mr Chui said the successful launch of Shenzhou-10 demonstrated the country's achievements in the field of aerospace science, adding that Macao compatriots shared the same pride and enthusiasm with the entire Chinese nation. The Government and Macao residents would continue to support the development of the country's manned space programme and contribute to the prosperity of the motherland, he said. The spacecraft blasted off from the launch centre in JiuQuan at 5.38 p.m.
…

In order to strengthen financial cooperation between Shanghai and Macao, the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) and the Financial Services Office of Shanghai executed a "Memorandum for Financial Cooperation between Shanghai and Macao". According to the Memorandum, a mechanism for meeting at regular intervals should be established. The two places convened the first Shanghai-Macao Financial Cooperation Meeting at the beginning of this month in Shanghai. The areas of financial cooperation covered financial business, establishment of organizations, clearing and settlement, as well as information sharing. There were in-depth discussions and communications. Initial consensus was arrived at. Particularly, both sides would, via the Shanghai-Macao cooperation mechanism, share information relating to contemplated investment and financial activities of financial/commercial institutions of shanghai and Portuguese speaking countries. It would promote the function of Macao as the commercial and trade platform between China and Portuguese speaking countries, which would induce more frequent use of the RMB for cross-border transactions. In addition, the AMCM delegates met with officials of the People's Bank of China Shanghai Head Office and the Shanghai Office of China Banking Regulatory Commission. The issues of RMB investments of the Macao Fiscal Reserve and banking supervision of the two places were mooted. At the same time, the Vice-Mayor of Shanghai, Mr. Tu Guangshao, received the AMCM delegates. He showed his affirmation and support for the financial cooperation between Shanghai and Macao and the realization of the competitive edge of Macao in the process. He encouraged both sides to display endeavour conducive to the continued deepening of financial cooperation and communication between Shanghai and Macao.
…

Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes visited the United Kingdom (UK) to promote Macau tourism and the multi-destination tours to Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau among major UK trade and media elites. MGTO hosted an exclusive breakfast in London on June 10 to thank key UK trade and media partners for their support in boosting Macau tourism, and to update them on the destination's latest developments. MGTO took the event as an excellent opportunity to update travel trade professionals and members of the press about the exciting developments and events in Macau, including the forthcoming 60th Macau Grand Prix, with the aim of increasing the destination's profile, encouraging increased visitation from the UK and promoting the multi-destination tours to Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. Director Fernandes commented, "It was an honour to meet with high-ranking trade and media partners in the UK, which remains our biggest source market in Europe. The event proved a highly-productive way of sharing the latest news from Macau while thanking them for their continued support to the tourism industry of Macau." The breakfast took place at Hyatt Regency – The Churchill Hotel and was attended by a number of high-profile trade journalists as well as senior tour operator personnel. Members of MGTO's UK representative office also attended the event. Besides Director Fernandes, Head of Destination Marketing Department Betty Fok also joined the delegation visit to London.
…