News

The Cross-departmental Working Team continues with its operations to raid premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and conduct inspections in the streets. During its anti-crime operation, the Public Security Police Force raided another premise suspected to provide illegal accommodation and arrested an illegal immigrant. The Public Security Police Force detected a premise suspected to provide illegal accommodation during its anti-crime operation early this morning and immediately called the Cross-departmental Working Team for action and sealed the premise. Among the four persons found in the premise, one was a management staff (non-Macau resident) and three were occupants, of which one was an illegal immigrant from the Mainland. Furthermore, in the joint operations of MGTO and Public Security Police Force, an overstayer from the Mainland was also found. During the operation today (Aug 17), nine premises were checked. Two premises were sealed and ten occupants were detained, including one operator and one management staff. Since the law on “Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation” took effect on August 13, a total of 112 premises were checked, 28 premises were accessed, of which 9 were normal residences. 19 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed with electricity and water supply cut. Ensuing investigations on premises not accessed have been launched. A total of 86 occupants were detained, including four operators, three touts, three managing staff and one occupant who failed to fulfill her duty of cooperation. 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 incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and management staff face a maximum 20 000 patacas fine. Occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas.
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To increase the protection for the air transport passenger rights, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) has studied into the legislation for the issue since several years ago. The Authority has now completed the draft administrative regulation of “Minimum Air Transport Passenger Rights in case of Denied Boarding, Flight Cancellation or Delay”. To ensure that the draft regulation is practical for implementation by the industry operators, AACM has launched a one-month consultation period to solicit views from the aviation sector and the tourism sector and so on. A consultation session was also held on 17 August 2010 by the Authority to present the draft regulation to and collect views from the two sectors. The views collected will be studied thoroughly by AACM and appropriate amendments will be introduced. The Authority anticipates that the implementation of the new regulation, when approved, will further enhance the quality of service of Macao’s aviation and consolidate Macao’s image as a tourism city. Provisions of the new draft regulation The new administrative regulation stipulates the minimum rights enjoyed by passengers in situations of denied boarding against passenger will, flight cancellation or delay, as well as the penalty on the air carriers if they do not comply with the regulation. The regulation is applicable to all flights departing from Macau International Airport and all flights operated by airlines registered in Macao. In case of the occurrence of the above three situations, the passengers can enjoy the rights listed in Table 1. In addition to providing the assistance as listed in Table 1, the regulation also specifies other provisions, such as, the airline must inform the passengers of their rights as set out in the regulation; in case of landing in an alternate airport, the airline should pay for the cost of the transfer to the airport originally planned; and all the obligations under the regulation cannot be excluded by the “conditions of carriage” established by the airline. Reference from legislation in Europe and the Americas AACM started the study on the legislation on air transport protection rights several years ago, including the research on similar legislation in places worldwide. The Authority pointed out that in Asia, only mainland China has issued a guidance material to airlines for handling cases of denied boarding, flight cancellation or delay. AACM worked on the drafting of the regulation since 2008, taking into reference the respective laws and regulations in Europe, USA, Canada and Brazil. Present and future regulations help further protect air transport passenger rights In what regards the air transport passenger protection rights, the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules relating to International Carriage by Air (Warsaw Convention) which is applicable to Macao, and the 11/2004 Administrative Regulation which was devised in accordance with the Warsaw Convention have already laid down provisions that airlines should compensate passengers for damages caused by flight delays. In addition, the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air (Montreal Convention), complementary to the Warsaw Convention, has also become applicable to Macao since 2006. The Montreal Convention stipulates that a passenger is entitled to compensation for damages caused by an airline in case of flight delay, up to the limit of 4,694 SDR (around MOP58,000.00), unless the airline can prove that all reasonable measures have been taken, or it is impossible to take any measures, to avoid the damages caused. AACM is now in the process of amending the 11/2004 Administrative Regulation in order that the Regulation can go in line with Montreal Convention. In a way different from the above regulation on compensation, the draft regulation of minimum air transport rights aims to regulate the airlines to provide immediate and appropriate assistance to the passengers in case of denied boarding, flight cancellation or delay. The implementation of the new regulation together with the present 11/2004 administrative regulation can refine Macao’s legislation on the protection of passenger rights. Solicit views for further study The consultation session, officiated by the President of AACM, Mr. Simon Chan, took place at the conference facilities of the Conselho Consultivo para o Reordenamento dos Bairros Antigos de Macau from 15:00 to 17:00. Attendees were (local aviation operators) CAM-Macau International Airport Co. Ltd., Administrations of Airports. Ltd, Air Macau, East Asia Airlines and Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd.; (foreign airlines operating to Macao) EVA Air, TransAsia, Air Asia, Tiger Airways and Philippines Airlines; (Comissão de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Turístico) Labour Services Bureau, Consumer Council, Cultural Institute, individual members appointed by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Tourism Industry Association of Macau, Travel Agency Association of Macau, Tourism Retail Services Association of Macau, Hotel Association of Macau, Restaurant Proprietors Association of Macau, Tourist Guide Association of Macau, Automobile Association of Macau and Transmac. The attendees expressed a number of views during the consultation. Some operators pointed out that most of the flight delays at Macau International Airport were caused by uncontrollable factors such as weather and air traffic control. The operators requested to waive the uncontrollable factors as these factors cannot be prevented and are not caused by the operations of an airline. AACM said that the purpose of having the one-month consultation was to solicit views from the aviation sector and the tourism sector and so on for further study on appropriate amendment so that it is not a regulation that merely serves the passengers but is also a regulation that can be implemented practically by the industry. AACM will study into all the views collected and make appropriate amendments to the draft regulation. Some operators also expressed their views that the new regulation might decrease the interest of foreign airlines in operating to Macao. To this, AACM emphasized that the drafting of the new regulation is to further enhance the quality of service of Macao’s aviation through the strengthening of passenger protection. The Authority pointed out that presently the local airlines and some foreign airlines have already implemented similar measures to handle those situations and some airlines have even adopted measures that are more advantageous than the standards laid down in the new regulation. AACM believed that through complying with the provisions, airlines can improve their handling procedures in response to reasonable requests made by the passengers and hence improve their customer relations. This will ultimately benefit both the passengers and the airlines. In addition, the new regulation provides a guideline for the passengers and the airlines to follow in cases of denied boarding, flight cancellation or delay, which can help to avoid conflicts between the two parties. New regulation expected to be implemented next year Upon completion of the final draft, the regulation will go through the necessary legal procedures for bringing it into force. AACM expects that the new regulation can be implemented next year. Anyone interested in knowing about the provisions of the draft regulation of “Minimum Air Transport Passenger Rights in case of Denied Boarding, Flight Cancellation or Delay” can download the text through AACM’s website at www.aacm.gov.mo (under “News”). Table 1 Passenger rights Denied boarding Flight cancellation Flight delay The airline should look for volunteers that accept to change their bookings in return of benefits offered by the airline. If the number of volunteers is insufficient, R e-imbursement of the full cost of the ticket at the price at which it was bought, for the part or parts of the journey not made, and for the part or parts already made if the flight is no longer serving any purpose in relation to the passenger's original travel plan, together with, when relevant, a return flight to the first point of departure, at the earliest opportunity Meals and refreshments in a reasonable relation to the waiting time Hotel accommodation if the passenger needs to stay one or more nights Transport between the airport and the hotel 2 free of charge phone calls, telex or fax messages, or e-mails Unless the airline informs the passenger of the cancellation of the flight 15 days before the departure time, or else it has to provide the following assistance: R e-imbursement of the full cost of the ticket at the price at which it was bought, for the part or parts of the journey not made, and for the part or parts already made if the flight is no longer serving any purpose in relation to the passenger's original travel plan, together with, when relevant, a return flight to the first point of departure, at the earliest opportunity Meals and refreshments in a reasonable relation to the waiting time Hotel accommodation if the passenger needs to stay one or more nights Transport between the airport and the hotel 2 free of charge phone calls, telex or fax messages, or e-mails 1. Delays of more than 30 minutes inform the passenger of the reasons for the delay 2.Delays of more than 3 hours Meals and refreshments in a reasonable relation to the waiting time 3. Delays of more than 5 hours ： The airline must offer the passengers the possibility to choose the re-imbursement of the full cost of the ticket at the price at which it was bought, for the part or parts of the journey not made, and for the part or parts already made if the flight is no longer serving any purpose in relation to the passenger's original travel plan, together with, when relevant, a return flight to the first point of departure, at the earliest opportunity 4. If the passenger does not accept the option mentioned in point 3 above, and the delay has been over 8 hours and involves an overnight stay, the airline should provide ： Hotel accommodation Transport between the airport and the hotel 2 free of charge phone calls, telex or fax messages, or e-mails
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 8,575 building units were purchased and sold at MOP16.79 billion in the second quarter of 2010 according to Stamp Duty records, up by 34.3% and 67.5% respectively quarter-to-quarter. There were 5,372 residential units amounting to MOP13.78 billion, up by 38.3% and 73.5% respectively over the previous quarter, of which 1,773 residential units were purchased and sold under Intermediate Transfer of Title, up sharply by 123.9% quarter-to-quarter, and the total value soared by 124.8% to MOP8.43 billion. Regarding the price of transaction, 1,609 residential units were sold for over MOP1,000,000 to MOP2,000,000, and 1,361 units for MOP1,000,000 or less. Analyzed by year of completion of building, 2,212 residential units were completed in 2000 and after, 1,940 units in 1990-1999 and 1,220 units in 1989 and before. As regards floor area of unit, 2,635 units (49.1% of total) had an area of 50 to 99.9 square metres. In the second quarter of 2010, opening sale of the major residential property pushed up the average transaction price of residential units in Coloane by 1.3 times quarter-to-quarter to MOP59,509 per square metre of usable area, bringing the overall average price of residential units to increase by 19.3% to MOP32,026 per square metre. Meanwhile, the average transaction price of residential units in the Macao Peninsula increased by 3.5% from the previous quarter to MOP27,603 per square metre, and the average price of those in Taipa went up by 3.8% to MOP28,372 per square metre. With regard to transaction of residential units under Intermediate Transfer of Title, the average price stood at MOP48,093 per square metre, up by 7.2% quarter-to-quarter. The average price of office units dropped by 6.6% from the previous quarter to MOP22,169 per square metre, whereas that of industrial units rose by 2.9% to MOP6,712 per square metre. There were 3,353 cases of real estate sale and purchase contracts made in the second quarter of 2010; the number of units transacted rose by 6.2% quarter-to-quarter to 4,572 and the total value went up by 29.4% to MOP6.44 billion. Moreover, total value of mortgage loans amounted to MOP45.19 billion, up by 4.6 times quarter-to-quarter. In the second quarter of 2010, construction of new buildings with a gross floor area of 5,840 square metres has been started, which will provide 41 units upon completion (of which 33 are residential units), down by 95.3% and 91.9% respectively quarter-to-quarter. In addition, gross floor area of buildings completed totalled 609,154 square metres, altogether providing 1,869 units (of which 1,801 are residential units), up sharply by 8.4 times and 11.5 times respectively quarter-to-quarter; number of parking spaces for cars and motorcycles completed surged by 14.8 times and 1.7 times to 2,307 and 379 respectively.
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The Cross-departmental Working Team will continue with its operations to raid premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and conduct inspections in the streets, with the action plan adjusted when necessary, in a combat that will be maintained long-term. Residents are encouraged to report any suspect cases, while promotion to visitors against illegal accommodation will be reinforced. During the operation today (Aug 16), 23 premises were checked. Two premises where accessed, which were normal residences. Since the law on “Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation” took effect on August 13, a total of 96 premises were checked, 24 premises were accessed, of which 9 were normal residences. Fifteen premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, and electricity and water cut, a total of 73 occupants were detained, including 2 operators who are also working as touts, an operator (a couple who jointly run a premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally), one managing staff, one tout, and one guest who failed to fulfill her duty of cooperation. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved managing staff, touts and operators. According to the new law, managers incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and operators face a maximum 20 000 patacas fine. Guests who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. The new law confers investigation powers to MGTO, and during the four consecutive days of inspections to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO staff together with Public Security Police Force (PSP) conducted 14 operations, wherein 96 premises were checked. For those premises not accessed, investigations will continue, and MGTO can request a judge’s order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. Parallel with the combat against illegal accommodation, MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau proactively promote the new law to visitors and citizens. A new round of promotional activities will also be launched soon.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP165.7 billion (USD20.72 billion) at the end of July 2010. The reserves rose by 1.2% from MOP163.7 billion (USD20.42 billion) for the previous month. When compared with a year earlier, the reserves increased by MOP25.0 billion or 17.7%. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-July 2010 represented 33 times the currency in circulation or 271.4% of Pataca M2 at end-June 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 1.04 points month-to-month but increased by 0.81 points year-on-year to 91.25 in July 2010. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
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For the third consecutive day the Cross-departmental Working Team continue its operation to raid premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and conducts inspections in the streets. Today, two more premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were cracked and such enforcement actions will continue. During the operation today (Aug 15), 16 premises were checked. Five premises where accessed, of which 3 were normal residences. Two premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, and 20 occupants were detained. Since the law on “Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation” took effect on August 13, a total of 61 premises were checked, 20 premises were accessed, of which 6 were normal residences. Fourteen premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, a total of 64 occupants were detained, including 2 operators who are also working as touts, an operator (a couple who jointly run a premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally), one managing staff and one who failed to fulfill her duty of cooperation. Staff from MGTO’s Inspection Division, together with additional manpower from other subunits, joined force with the Public Security Police Force (PSP) to take action around the clock and swooped in districts with higher density of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, conducted inspections in the streets and seized touts. At the same time PSP patrols are also vigilant to suspect, increasing the combat strength and broadening the search area. Following the operation, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, managing staff and touts and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the above premises and sealed the doors. Directors and concerned department heads of MGTO also took on-call duties around the clock to give command and coordinate operations to combat the malpractice. Parallel with the measures against illegal accommodation, MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau proactively promote the new law to visitors and citizens. Pamphlets are available for visitors at all MGTO counters and more staff from MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau has been stationed at various checkpoints to distribute leaflets. After cracking premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally the Cross-departmental Working Team is also handing out to occupants the pamphlets. A new round of promotional activities will also be launched soon.
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The Cross-departmental Working Team continues its operation to raid premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and conducts inspections in the streets. Today, three more premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were cracked and such enforcement actions will continue. Staff from MGTO’s Inspection Division, together with additional manpower from other subunits, joined force with the Public Security Police Force to take action around the clock and swooped in districts with higher density of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, conducted inspections in the streets and seized touts. During the operation today (Aug 14), four premises were checked. Three premises were sealed, 12 occupants were detained, including an operator (a couple who jointly runs a premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally) and one overstayer who refused to collaborate and was fined MOP3,000 for violating her duty to cooperate. Since the law on “Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation” took effect on August 13, a total of 34 premises were checked, 12 premises were accessed, of which two were normal residences. Ten premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, 41 occupants were detained, including two operators who are also working as touts, an operator (a couple who jointly run a premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally), one managing staff and one who failed to fulfill her duty of cooperation. Following the operation, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, managing staff and touts and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the above premises and sealed the doors. Directors and concerned department heads of MGTO also took on-call duties around the clock to give command and coordinate operations to combat the malpractice. Parallel with the measures against illegal accommodation, MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau proactively promote the new law to visitors and citizens. Pamphlets are available for visitors at all MGTO counters and more staff from MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau has been stationed at various checkpoints to distribute leaflets. A new round of promotional activities will also be launched soon.
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The Cross-departmental Working Team continues its operation to raid premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and conducts inspections in the streets. This morning, two more premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were cracked and such enforcement actions will continue. Staff from MGTO’s Inspection Division, together with additional manpower from other subunits, joined force with the Public Security Police Force to take action around the clock and swooped in districts with higher density of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, conducted inspections in the streets and seized touts. During the operation today (Aug 14), three premises were checked, with one unanswered door. Two premises were sealed, seven occupants were detained, among which one overstayer refused to collaborate and was fined MOP3,000 for violating her duty to cooperate. Since the law on “Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation” took effect on August 13, a total of 33 premises were checked, with 22 unanswered doors, 11 premises were accessed, of which two were normal residences. Nine premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, three suspected offenders were seized, including two operators (also working as touts) and one managing staff. 36 occupants were detained, including one who failed to fulfill her duty of cooperation. Following the operation, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, managing staff and touts and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the above premises and sealed the doors. Directors and concerned department heads of MGTO also took on-call duties around the clock to give command and coordinate operations to combat the malpractice. Parallel with the measures against illegal accommodation, MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau proactively promote the new law to visitors and citizens. Pamphlets are available for visitors at all MGTO counters and more staff from MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau has been stationed at various checkpoints to distribute leaflets. A new round of promotional activities will also be launched soon.
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Law on “Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation” took effect today (August 13), and from midnight, the Cross-departmental Working Group mounted a citywide operation and searched premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and conducted inspections in the streets. Till now, seven premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were cracked successfully. Acting Director of MGTO Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes expressed that the operation has delivered initial results and such enforcement actions will continue. All staff from MGTO’s Inspection Division, together with additional manpower from other subunits, joined force with the Public Security Police Force to take immediate action after the law took effect and swooped in districts with higher density of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, conducted inspections in the streets and seized touts. In the first round of operations, 25 premises were checked, with 18 unanswered doors. 7 premises were temporarily sealed, 3 suspected offenders were seized including two operators (also working as touts) and one managing staff. 26 occupants were detained. Following the operation, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, managing staff and touts and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the above premises and sealed the doors. Directors and concerned department heads of MGTO also took on-call duties around the clock to give command and coordinate operations to combat the malpractice. To enforce the law on “Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation”, office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture guided the operation planning. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U chaired a Cross-departmental Working Team meeting attended by directors of concerned departments before the law took effect, where he stressed the determination of the government in combating illegal accommodation. The Cross-departmental Working Team also held meetings to discuss operation planning while MGTO met with Public Security Police Force frequently for co-ordination work. In line with the newly implemented law, staff of MGTO are equipped with trainings provided by the Judiciary Police to enhance techniques and skills in inspecting, searching and obtaining evidence, inquiring and questioning and compiling cases. At the same time, additional staff have been deployed internally and MGTO has also started recruiting more inspectors to cope with the long-term operations. As the law has also added new measures to cut the supply of water and electricity, MGTO also held meetings with Macau Water Supply Co. Ltd and CEM to discuss the related procedures and arrangements. Directors and concerned department heads also met with legislator, representatives from General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau and committees of affected apartment owners to introduce the measures against the malpractice as well as to exchange and collect opinions on enforcement of the new law.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that per-capita spending of visitors increased by 3% year-on-year to MOP 1,575 in the second quarter of 2010. Analyzed by place of residence, per-capita spending of Mainland visitors took the lead, at MOP 2,397; per-capita spending of those from Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, China amounted to MOP 1,349, MOP 1,068 and MOP 787 respectively. Compared with the second quarter of 2009, per-capita spending of tourists rose by 26% to MOP 2,635 and that of same-day visitors surged by 41% to MOP 665. In the second quarter of 2010, per-capita non-shopping spending (excluding gaming expenses) of visitors decreased by 20% year-on-year to MOP 813, of which expenses on Accommodation and Food & Beverage accounted for 46% and 34% respectively. Meanwhile, per-capita shopping spending grew by 49% to MOP 761, with expenses mainly on Local Food Products (24%), Clothing (18%) and Jewellery/Watches (17%). Per-diem spending of visitors amounted to MOP 1,575 in the second quarter of 2010, a year-on-year increase of 15%. Mainland visitors had the highest per-diem spending of MOP 2,397 and the respective spending of visitors from Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, China was MOP 1,349, MOP 1,068 and MOP 787. The average length of stay of visitors shortened by 0.2 day to 0.9 day over the second quarter of 2009, with Mainland visitors staying an average of 0.9 day. The average length of stay of tourists increased by 0.1 day to 1.7 days, while that of same-day visitors stayed unchanged at 0.2 day.
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