News

To work in line of Macao SAR government’ life time learning policy and to cope with the increasing use of English in all businesses, IFT and Macao Federation of Trade Unions are offering three 1-year English certificate programmes designed for individuals with different English proficiencies and with different career goals. It is hoped that through these courses, occupational language skills in tourism and service related fields can be enhanced, promoting society improvement at large. The three certificate programmes are: 1. English Certificate I - Practical English
To enable absolute and false beginners to develop the ability to cope with simple oral and written communications for everyday use and within a work-related context. 2. English Certificate II - Workplace English
To equip participants with the knowledge and skills to deal with daily administrative tasks and to develop ability to communicate in social travel and work-related contexts with confidence. 3. English Certificate III - Business English
To get participants ready to deal with supervisory tasks using English and interact fluently and confidently in both social and business contexts. After this programme, participants should be able to deal with more complex situations like understanding and producing routine business correspondence and reports. The duration of each certificate is 270 to 343 hours, and includes 6 courses and tutorial sessions for exams. Upon completion of each course, participants will receive a certificate issued by IFT. Upon completion of each certificate, participants will be eligible to take the internationally recognised LCCI Spoken English for Tourism (SEFT) and LCCI English for Business (EFB) public exams. Participants may complete all three stages starting from level 1. For admission, applicants are required to pass an entry test or finish the previous levels of the above programmes. All courses are fully subsidised by Macao SAR through Macao Federation of Trade Unions, admitting a total of 150 students. Besides this programme, Macao Federation of Trade Unions is also a partner of IFT Community Education and Development Programme (CEDP), working together to nurture well-trained professionals for tourism industry, and enhance the general quality of Macao citizens, which in turn facilitates the prosperity and sustainability of the Macao economy.
…

Dr. Anthony Lau, an alumnus of the University of Macau (UM), donated MOP 10 million to the University of Macau Development Foundation (UMDF), with the hope of advancing whole-person education at UM. This has been the largest donation from UM alumni. To show gratitude for Dr. Lau’s generosity, UM will name one of the classroom buildings on the new campus after Dr. Lau. At the cheque presentation ceremony held today (17 September 2010), Dr. Lau presented the dummy cheque to Dr. Tse Chi Wai, Chair of the Executive Committee of UMDF and Chair of the University Council of UM, who received the cheque on behalf of UMDF. UM Rector Wei Zhao said in his speech that, “A university cannot grow without its alumni and community support.” He added that donations from UM alumni “have always been important in driving the University’s pursuit of excellence,” and that “Dr. Lau takes the lead to make another large donation to his alma mater as a means to inspire fellow alumni and students to support the University in its 30th anniversary next year.” In closing, Rector Wei Zhao said that “It is both the University’s hope and Dr. Lau’s hope that his continuous generosity can encourage people including our alumni to support the development of the University.” Dr. Lau has spared no effort to support the development of his alma mater since graduation from the University of East Asia (predecessor of UM). He is former President of the University of Macau (UM) (Hong Kong) Alumni Association. He donated HKD one million to UM on its 25th anniversary. Dr. Lau said that UM has been actively promoting high-quality undergraduate education in recent years, with the aim of developing future leaders for Macao. He said as an alumnus of UM he felt very proud of UM’s progress in teaching and research and was happy to be a part of it. He also encouraged other alumni to donate money and support alumni-themed activities at UM. Dr. Lau now serves as the Chairman of Pacific Air Ltd. He was a founding shareholder and former Chairman and Chief Executive of BALtrans Holdings Ltd, a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The cheque presentation ceremony was followed by a talk “Logistics Path to Entrepreneurship” by Dr. Lau. In the talk Dr. Lau shared with the audience his many years of experiences in the logistics industry. In order to offer more choices for local secondary school graduates and develop well-rounded professionals in various fields to contribute to the economic diversification in Macao, UM plans to establish approximately eight faculties on the new campus, including the existing Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (which will be divided into two separate faculties, Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Arts), and at least one new faculty: Faculty of Life Science and Health.
…

Friday 10 September, 2010 marked the end of the first on-site weeklong seminar for the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV)’s Master of Hospitality Administration (MHA) inaugural class. As part of their graduate degree program, MHA Macao students spend most of their time doing self-directed learning with their faculty via UNLV’s WebCampus platform. However for one week per module, students come together to study in class with their professors from Las Vegas, meet industry partners, tour hospitality properties, and network with university alumni. This week marked the end of the first Seminar Week of UNLV’s MHA Macao inaugural group. UNLV’s Director of Graduate Studies Dr. Pearl Brewer presided over her course of Information Technology and UNLV Singapore Campus’ Dr. Nicholas J. Thomas took charge of his course on Human Resources. Highlights for the students included site visits to the Wynn Macau and Venetian Macau for back-of-house tours and Q&A sessions with senior management staff. Students were also treated to highly interactive lecture and discussion led by the Galaxy Entertainment Group about its pre opening activities for Macao’s newest property to open in 2011. An intensive week of classroom learning, discussions and visits culminated with a final reception with industry partners, UNLV alumni and UNLV faculty at IFT Education Restaurant. For MHA student Beatrice Leong; Assistant Director of Casino Marketing – Slots of MGM MACAU, seminar week was a real highlight of her studies thus far. “This week was such a memorable experience! Not only did it widen my academic knowledge, but the site visits and guest speaker interactions provided the practical industry application about which I have been studying.” For classmate Peggy Wong; Sales Manager for the Venetian Macao, seminar week was a chance to bring the online learning into a physical classroom and bring to life her classmates she sees online daily. “It was so great to meet all of my fellow classmates and it was really a wonderful week together. I know now that while I may be working alone with my textbooks and laptop every night my classmates are nearby for discussions and that I can always count on them!” Fellow classmate Yolanda Lao; Assistant Director of Special Events for the Wynn Macau shared Peggy’s sentiment, “This week has been rewarding and enjoyable with the exposure to all the guest speakers from the industry sharing their experience and insights. It has been a great week for me to meet and network with my classmates and professors who has been working with me online all the time.” UNLV’s Master of Hospitality Administration (MHA) Executive Program targets working professionals within the hospitality field and is being offered in partnership with IFT Macao, a long time hospitality educator and partner of the university. Its flexible program design, combining distance learning and on-site intensive one-week seminars, is a convenient model for industry professionals to maintain their current employment while pursuing an internationally recognized graduate degree. The inaugural group is looking forward to its next seminar week which will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada in December 2010. Background on UNLV and IFT
UNLV has a 50-year history of academic excellence and its graduates can be found in key management positions in leading hotels throughout the world. The Singapore Campus, which opened in August 2006, is UNLV’s first international campus and has a current student population of close to 500 students. UNLV’s Singapore Campus is accredited in the United States and recognized by the Singapore Ministry of Education. IFT, established in 1995, is a public institution of higher education that offers degree and professional programs in a wide range of tourism-related disciplines such as hospitality, tourism business, heritage, events, retail and marketing, leisure and entertainment, sports and recreation, creative and cultural studies, and culinary arts. IFT has received various awards in recognition of its achievement in quality education. In 2008, IFT was awarded the “Medal of Merit for Tourism” by the Macao SAR Government for its contribution to the development of the tourism industry. Contact Information for media interview
For more information or to arrange for interviews with either Dr. Andy Nazarechuk, Dean of UNLV Singapore, or Dr. Fanny Vong, President of IFT Macao, please contact: For UNLV Singapore
Ms. Jenny Weinman
Manager of Graduate Programs
(65) 6332-9538 ext. 610
jennifer.weinman@unlv.edu.sg For IFT Macao
Ms. Frida Law
Senior Public Relations Officer (853) 8598-3182
frida@ift.edu.mo
…

From yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (September 16), the Cross-departmental Working Team sealed two remodeled premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally in a vacant commercial site. MGTO’s Inspection Division joined forces with the Public Security Police Force (PSP) on September 16 to investigate a vacant commercial site on Rua do General Galhardo in response to a complaint, and found two remodeled premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, with seven bedspaces. An occupant, proven to be an overstayer, was found on site and handed over to the police for investigation. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 472 premises were checked, of which 64 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 60 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 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 four premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To help the investigations, when necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. To date, the operations involved a total of 513 occupants, among whom 287 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, with 12 overstayers and eight illegal immigrants. 12 operators, nine touts and nine persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) were seized. Among the three occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation, one has paid the fine. 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. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
…

From yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (September 15) the Cross-departmental Working Team sealed one premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally, and 3 occupants were found on site. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 470 premises were checked, of which 62 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 60 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 four premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To date, the operations involved more than 512 occupants, among whom 286 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 12 operators, 9 touts, 9 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and 3 occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation. Among the occupants, there were 11 overstayers and 8 illegal immigrants. To help the investigations, when necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. 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. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
…

Chief Executive of Macau SAR Chui Sai On presided over the opening ceremony of PATA Travel Mart 2010 today (Sept 15) at the Cotai Expo of the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U, Chief of Cabinet of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cecilia Cheung, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office João Manuel Costa Antunes, PATA Chairman Hiran Cooray, PATA CEO Gregory Duffell and PATA Secretary and Treasurer Anthony Wong. PATA and MGTO held a media briefing after the opening ceremony to introduce PATA Travel Mart 2010. Director Antunes also presented the latest information on Macau's tourism industry as well as the destination's tourism products and facilities. PATA Chairman Cooray expressed, “It gives me much pleasure to welcome all PTM delegates this year, to the colourful and culturally rich city of Macau, SAR. I am happy to see that we have a positive response from the industry for PTM2010. We can assure you of valuable industry gleanings that you will take back with you. We are also looking ahead to the coming year, which will be a grand celebration for PATA to celebrate our 60 years of glory and success. Your participation and involvement will add infinite value.” MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes said that being the first time for Macau to host Asia Pacific's premier travel trade show which gathers close to 1000 delegates from around the world, we believe PTM2010 will be a landmark on Macau's road in the development of our MICE industry as well as a defining moment of our cooperation with PATA in contributing towards the progress of the tourism industry in the region. He added that as host city of PTM2010, Macau will make sure that participants will not only benefit from the business and networking platform of the event, but will also have the chance to experience Macau's business and leisure tourism facilities, feel the unique charm of 'The Historic Centre of Macau', and see how Macau is transforming itself into a global centre of tourism and leisure. As Asia Pacific's foremost travel contracting and networking show, the PATA Travel Mart 2010 takes place from September 15 to 17 at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel and is expected to attract a thousand delegates and guests. The 3-day travel mart provides a platform for 900 buyers and sellers to network and seek business opportunities. The first two days are for trade members and the organizer will invite local higher education institutes to visit the mart on the third day. Today (Sept 15) a workshop on ‘Designing Dream Experiences’ is held, and the City of Dreams have invited delegates to a show preview of the House of Dancing Water. Founded in 1951, PATA is a non-profit membership association dedicated to building responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. MGTO has been a member of PATA for over half a century since 1958. PATA has currently 800 full members and over 7,000 chapter members around the globe. PATA's membership boasts more than 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, over 50 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. PATA Chapter is the foundation of the Association with close to 40 chapters all over the world, of which PATA Macau Chapter was set up in 1983 and it has over 70 members at present. There has been a close tie between Macau and PATA. Between 1980 and 2002, PATA conducted 5 task force projects to provide guidelines and recommendations for tourism development in Macau. These projects include "Macau - A study of Tourism Development" in 1980 regarding the balance between heritage preservation and tourism development; "Macau Education Task Force" in 1990 concerning the overall education and training framework to meet short and long term manpower needs; "Macau Tourism in Transition" in 1994 pointing to the development of a MICE destination; "Macau Tourism Marketing - A new Focus for the Millennium" in 1996 about the setting up of overseas representation offices; and "A study of the Future of Macau's Tourism and its International Airport in the Context of the Pearl River Delta Region" in 2002 regarding market diversification and interrelationship between the aviation network and marketing promotion.
MGTO has been actively participating in the tourism meetings and activities held by PATA and since 1996, MGTO has been supporting the PATA Gold Awards, so as to promote Macau tourism.
In 2005, the 54th PATA Annual Conference was successfully held in Macau and its MICE industry then entered a new era.
…

The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP165.2 billion (USD20.62 billion) at the end of August 2010. The reserves fell slightly by 0.2% from the revised value of MOP165.5 billion (USD20.69 billion) for the previous month. When compared with a year earlier, the reserves increased by MOP24.1 billion or 17.1%. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-August 2010 represented 32 times the currency in circulation or 257.5% of Pataca M2 at end-July 2010. 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, fell by 0.41 points month-to-month but increased by 0.78 points year-on-year to 90.84 in August 2010. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
…

Macao Post announces that the Temporary Post Counter for the “Macau 2010 Sports Carnival”, that originally service hour arranged on 19th September from 18:00 to 22:00 at Tap Seac Plaza, according to the request of the Organizer, will now be set up from 17:00 to 21:00.
…

The three-day PATA Travel Mart 2010 will unveil its curtain tomorrow (Sept 15) in Macau and Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of Macau SAR will officiate the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony of PATA Travel Mart will be held at 9:30 in the morning, with Chief Executive Chui Sai On, joined by Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U, Chief of Cabinet of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cecilia Cheung, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office João Manuel Costa Antunes, PATA Chairman Hiran Cooray, PATA CEO Gregory Duffell and PATA Secretary and Treasurer Anthony Wong, officiating the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The Macau SAR Government hosted a welcome dinner reception tonight (Sept 14), where Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U was present and delivered remarks to welcome the delegates, especially tourism professionals and media who have come all the way to Macau.
He expressed that Macau boasts invaluable world cultural heritage as well as diverse tourism and entertainment facilities. He encouraged the delegates to spare time out of their meeting schedule to walk around Macau and to experience what Macau has to offer as a global center of tourism and leisure. He also wished PATA Travel Mart 2010 a very fruitful event.
Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes pointed out that this is the first time for Macau to host this Asia Pacific’s foremost travel show. Every year, PATA Travel Mart gathers tourism stakeholders from around the world, who utilize this professional platform to network and seek business opportunities. The edition this year is no exception. In addition, by bringing together influential travel trade players from around the world, PATA Travel Mart also presents Macau an opportunity to showcase its ability and strengths as a host city for major international conventions and exhibitions.
PATA Travel Mart 2010, which is expected to attract a thousand delegates and guests, will take place from September 15 to 17 at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. PATA cooperated with the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) and Hong Kong Polytechnic University to organize a full-day seminar, “Human Resources Challenges in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry: Promoting Industry and Academic Collaboration” at IFT today (Sept 14). Tours to Macau’s world heritage sites were also provided for the delegates.
Founded in 1951, PATA is a non-profit membership association dedicated to building responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. MGTO has been a member of PATA for over half a century since 1958.
PATA has currently 800 full members and over 7,000 chapter members around the globe. PATA's membership boasts more than 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, over 50 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies.
PATA Chapter is the foundation of the Association with close to 40 chapters all over the world, of which PATA Macau Chapter was set up in 1983 and it has over 70 members at present.
There has been a close tie between Macau and PATA. Between 1980 and 2002, PATA conducted 5 task force projects to provide guidelines and recommendations for tourism development in Macau. These projects include "Macau - A study of Tourism Development" in 1980 regarding the balance between heritage preservation and tourism development; "Macau Education Task Force" in 1990 concerning the overall education and training framework to meet short and long term manpower needs; "Macau Tourism in Transition" in 1994 pointing to the development of a MICE destination; "Macau Tourism Marketing - A new Focus for the Millennium" in 1996 about the setting up of overseas representation offices; and "A study of the Future of Macau's Tourism and its International Airport in the Context of the Pearl River Delta Region" in 2002 regarding market diversification and interrelationship between the aviation network and marketing promotion.
MGTO has been actively participating in the tourism meetings and activities held by PATA and since 1996, MGTO has been supporting the PATA Gold Awards, so as to promote Macau tourism.
In 2005, the 54th PATA Annual Conference was successfully held in Macau and its MICE industry then entered a new era.
…

MGTO’s Inspection Division joined forces with the Public Security Police Force (PSP) on September 14 to seal three premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally on the same floor of a building in response to a complaint. 27 occupants were involved and one premise constituted of 40 bedspaces. An operator was seized in the operation. The three premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were flat A, B and D on the 6th floor of a building. The Cross-departmental Working Team found 18 occupants from the Mainland in flat A, which housed 40 bedspaces. Four occupants were found in flat B, including the operator of that premise. Five occupants were found in flat D. Flat A and D shared one common main door and a large amount of food was found in flat D. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 465 premises were checked, of which 61 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 58 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 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 four premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To help the investigations, when necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. To date, the operations involved a total of 503 occupants, among whom 282 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, with 10 overstayers and seven illegal immigrants. 12 operators, nine touts, nine persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and two occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation were seized. 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. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
…