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The Government today inked temporary two-year concession contracts on public passenger transport with two bus companies, effective 15 October 2008. The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io, signed on behalf of the Macao SAR Government, with the present public bus operators, namely TCM (Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos de Macau) and Transmac (Macau Mass Transport Company). In accordance with the contract terms, the Government would strengthen its leading role in coordination of bus routes. Meanwhile, the bus operators have to invest resources in purchasing new vehicles, provide professional training for drivers to lift the quality of bus services. In the future, the Government would introduce competition by opening up certain routes to other operators.
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Macau welcomed 645,513 visitors during the China National Day golden week (September 29 to October 5), a 10.01 per cent increase compared to the same period (1 October to 7 October) of last year. Among the total of visitors, 63 per cent, or more than 410 thousand people, came from Mainland China, 6.46 per cent more than the same period in 2007, according to figures of the Public Security Police Force. On the other hand, the number of international visitors saw a strong increase of 50 per cent during golden week, amounting to a 10.21 per cent share of the total. Both the average occupancy rate and hotel room rate have also slightly decreased. According with figures provided by Macau hotels, the occupancy rate of three to five star hotels was 81.7 per cent, a slightly decrease of 3.61 percentage point compared to the golden week last year. During the golden week this year, Macau counted a total of 16,363 available hotel rooms, comparing with the number of last year, there was an increase of 1,776 rooms. At the same time, the average of total occupied rooms were 13,437 with a growth of 8.2 percent, showing more tourists stayed overnight in hotels during that period. The hotel room rate of three to five stars hotels was 1,062.36 patacas, a small decrease of 2.64 percent compared to last year. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Administration and the Fujian Tourism Administration activated from September 25 the Golden Week notification system. The channel of communication remains in force until today, October 6. MGTO asked tourism operators to make more use of the border gate at Cotai (Ponte Flor de Lótus) as a gateway to entry and exit Macau in order to disperse tourists. Urban public bus companies were also asked to send more vehicles to the routes passing by Ponte Flor de Lótus Bridge. During the golden week period MGTO inspectors intensified surveillance at Macau’s most visited sites. MGTO is also distributing the brochure "Enjoy Macau", reminding Mainland tourists on matters to pay attention to when visiting the city. MGTO’s Information Counters and the Tourist Hotline (28333000) functioned as usual during the holiday period.
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The Government will introduce a series of measures to limit the employment of foreign workers, to boost the employment of local workers in Macao. This was announced by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, when attended a special meeting in the Legislative Council. Mr Tam gave details of the measures to legislators and to hear their comments. He said the government would: - Effective 1 January 2009, not approval any application for importing foreign labour to fill in supervisory positions in the gaming industry, - With immediate effect, not accept any new application for the import of construction workers. The Government would review the present situation and may gradually reduce the numbers already here, and - Halve the number of foreign workers currently employed as cleaners or security guards, by not renewing contracts when they expire. Mr Tam explained the move was aimed at lowering the unemployment rate of local workers in Macao.
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Macau welcomed 390,683 visitors on the first four days (September 29 to October 2) of the China National Day golden week, a 13.2 per cent increase compared to the same period of last year. Among the total of visitors, 65 per cent, or 254,139 people, came from Mainland China, 6.3 per cent more than the same period in 2007, according to figures of the Public Security Police Force referring to the period from September 29 to October 2. On the other hand, the number of international visitors saw a strong increase of 63.5 per cent on the first four days of the golden week, amounting to a 9.6 per cent share of the total, corresponding to 37,671 visitors. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Administration and the Fujian Provincial Tourism Administration activated from September 25 the Golden Week notification system. The channel of communication will remain in force until October 6. Through this notification system, the Macau side transmits to its counterparts in Guangdong and Fujian daily information such as average room rates of hotels and inns for the ensuing five days, hotel occupancy rates and the number of visitors that entered Macau the day before, including the share of Mainland China visitors. During the golden week period MGTO inspectors are intensifying surveillance at Macau’s most visited sites. MGTO is also distributing the brochure "Enjoy Macau", reminding Mainland tourists on matters to pay attention to when visiting the city. MGTO’s Information Counters and the Tourist Hotline (28333000) are functioning as usual during the holiday period. This text is available at: www.macautourism.gov.mo
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Brezac Artificef from France netted the top prize, while Japan’s Tamaya Art Pyro Technics and Chinese Taiwan’s Wan Dar Fireworks Mfg took second and third places in the Wynn Macau - 20th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest at a ceremony held at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center on October 1. Macau Government Tourist Office Director João Manuel Costa Antunes presented the trophy and prize to the winner, who also received a trophy from title sponsor Wynn Macau, awarded by Wynn Macau President and General Manager, Mr Ian Coughlan. The production subsidy and cash prizes to the fireworks teams were increased this year to enhance the quality and attractiveness of the contest. Cash prize to the winner was increased to US$8,000, while prizes to the first and second runners-up were increased to US$4,000 and US$2,500 respectively. The contest this year featured ten teams from Germany, Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Chinese Taiwan, the Philippines, France, Australia and China. To celebrate this 20th edition, MGTO has purposely invited teams with distinguished performances in international contests. A number of teams competing in the contest this year have won before in Macau, including a two-time champion from Japan and winning teams from Portugal and France. Mr. Antunes noted in his speech that this year MGTO has specially arranged the 10 fireworks teams to meet with the media before their performances to introduce the characteristics, theme and message of each show so that the audience can enjoy the fireworks with greater interest. Macau Government Tourist Office will continue to organize a wide spectrum of promotional activities to enrich the tourism resources of Macau as well as to boost its charm as a tourist destination. The organizer arranged China's Liuyang Jiding Fireworks Manufacture Export Co., Ltd to present the last fireworks show to celebrate China’s National Day. Crowds of residents and visitors enjoyed the fireworks during the National Day holiday at various spots of Macau and Taipa, adding a festive and joyful atmosphere to the city. This year again, each participating team was requested to complement their display with music. Each team used different musical arrangements, ranging from classical or contemporary to originally composed music, coupled with special themes (e.g. care for Sichuan’s earthquake victims) and features to enthrall the audience. Organized by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest has a history of 20 years and receives wide accolades and recognition. This year Wynn Macau continues to be the title sponsor for the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. The annual glamorous fireworks displays, together with the colorful complementary activities have become a signature event that brings a splendid experience to both the public and visitors in Macau. To add a festive atmosphere to the fireworks display contest, MGTO and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau jointly presented the Fireworks Carnival 2008 on the shorefront beside the Macau Tower on each of the fireworks display nights, offering an array of live entertainment, cultural activities and culinary delights. This press release is available on MGTO’s website: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/index.php?page_id=172
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The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, said today that the Government paid much attention to the appeals of civil servants and had been renewing civil service legislations in accordance with the Government’s plans. She stressed that the SAR Government respected the lawful rights of all residents, including civil servants, in voicing their opinions. She said the SAR Government had been renewing a series of legislations governing the employment and benefits of civil servants.
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The Government would push forward with the development of the society by enhancing its governance and uniting people from all walks of life. This was stated by the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, when he addressed more than 1,000 guests during the National Day reception hosted by the Government this morning. Reviewing China’s achievement in the year, Mr Ho said the Mainland showed profound vigour after Central and Southern China suffered from snowstorms in January and Sichuan was struck by earthquakes in May. Moreover, we witnessed the successful completion of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and the first spacewalk by a Chinese astronaut. In the year, Macao continued to work with the Mainland, taking part in the relief efforts of Sichuan earthquake and in the organisation of the Olympic Games. As we would celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding People’s Republic of China and 10th anniversary of the founding of the Macao SAR next year, Macao would continue to build the society by enhancing its governance and uniting people from all walks of life, said Mr Ho. In the morning, Mr Ho officiated a flag-raising ceremony at Lotus Flower Square. The ceremony was attended by the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR, Mr Bai Zhijian; Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the MSAR, Mr Lu Shumin; Commander of the Macao Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army, Major General Wang Yuren, President of the Legislative Assembly, Ms Susana Chou; President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai, and Macao’s principal officials and community leaders. After the ceremony, Mr Ho met more than 40 young people from Sichuan who had taken part in the rescue of victims of the Sichuan earthquake. Mr Ho said that they risked their lives to save their teachers and schoolmates and the example they set was not only for Macao’s young people but for everyone. Several government departments would also hold celebratory events today, including the three-kilometre National Day Fun Run starting at Lotus Flower Square, and a concert at Macao East Asian Games Dome at 2:30 pm. At 8 pm, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and Liaison Office would hold a concert at Macao Forum:, two firework displays would be held on the waterfront near the Macau Tower at 9 pm and 10 pm.
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The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Chui Sai On, said today the Government would take measures to promote the diversification of Macao’s tourism industry, in accordance with the Central Government’s policy and support. In response to media inquiries on the Facilitated Individual Travel scheme, Mr Chui said Macao’s tourism industry would continue to diversify in accordance with the Central Government’s policy and support. The Government had planned to promote diversification of the industry by introducing measures to support tourism related sectors such as retail and convention, and to highlight tourism resources such as cultural heritage. He said that he was confident in the continued development of the industry, adding that tourist arrivals in the first eight months of this year had increased compared to last year. Though Macao could not avoid the impact of the global economic downturn, the Government would evaluate the situation and make plans accordingly, he said.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, said today he expected Macao’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow by about 10 per cent this year. During a reception, Mr Tam told the press that with the global economy slowing down and international financial market fluctuating even more wildly, he expected Macao’s economy to grow by about 10 per cent, down from his earlier projection of 15 per cent. In the economic slowdown, tourist arrivals and their expenditure could go down, and the unemployment could rise. The Government would try to boost employment of local talent and keep the unemployment rate at a relatively low level, he said. To boost employment, the Government would consider cutting the quota of imported labour in some industries and positions. However, to keep the healthy development of some industries, some quotas should be maintained. Speaking on Macao’s banking industry, he said he would not rule out the possibility of emergence of further rumours about Macao’s banking sector, after the United States House of Representatives rejected the bailout plan submitted by the US administration. Mr Tam said Macao’s banking sector had all along been healthy and well regulated, and he urged the public to maintain their confidence in the industry.
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The MSAR Government will hold celebrations to commemorate the 59th National Day on Wednesday. The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, will officiate a flag-raising ceremony at Lotus Flower Square at 8 am. Representatives from the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the MSAR, the Macao Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army, Macao’s principal officials and community leaders will attend the ceremony. After the ceremony, the Chief Executive will meet more than 40 young people from Sichuan who have taken part in the rescue of victims of the Sichuan earthquake in May. At 10 am the Government will hold a reception at Macau Tower. Some government departments will also hold celebratory events including the three-kilometre National Day Marathon starting at Lotus Flower Square, and a concert at Macao East Asian Games Dome at 2:30 pm. Commemorative covers will be on sale and a stamping service will be offered at the Post Office. At 8 pm, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and Liaison Office will hold a concert at Macao Forum, and two firework displays will be held on the waterfront near the Macau Tower at 9 and 10 pm respectively.
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