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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that visitor arrivals totalled 2,583,372 in August 2008, a year-on-year increase of 8.5%. Visitors from Mainland China (1,488,084) and Hong Kong (757,784) rose by 10.6% and 5.2% respectively, while those from Taiwan, China (112,454) decreased by 7.0%. Same-day visitors took up 52.6% of the total arrivals, at 1,357,855. The majority of the visitors came from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, China, which accounted for 57.6%, 29.3% and 4.4% of the total respectively. Among the Mainland visitors, 603,865 (40.6%) travelled to Macao under the Individual Visit Scheme, down by 6.9% year-on year. In the first eight months of 2008, visitor arrivals reached 20,172,569, up by 17.1% year-on-year. Visitors from Mainland China (11,797,357) and Hong Kong went up by 25.1% and 0.9% respectively, while those from Taiwan, China dropped by 5.0%. Furthermore, same-day visitors made up 52.9% of the total arrivals, at 10,662,177. Analyzed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by sea increased by 12.4% over the first eight months of 2007 to 6,467,525. Among them, 5,513,046 arrived at the Outer Harbour (+1.4%), with 57.6% from Hong Kong and 22.7% from Mainland China. Visitor arrivals by land grew by 19.3% to 12,566,636. Visitors arriving through the Border Gate increased by 14.7% to 11,885,917 and the majority were visitors from Mainland China (79.9%) and Hong Kong (14.4%). In addition, visitor arrivals by air totalled 1,138,408, up by 20.9% over the first eight months of 2007. Visitors arriving at the Macao International Airport rose by 19.3% to 1,114,233, with those from Taiwan, China (35.3%), Southeast Asia (29.8%) and Mainland China (22.2%) as the major users.
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At the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, 110 military attaches from 52 foreign countries visited Macao today and met with the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan. Ms Chan expressed a very warm welcome to the delegation on behalf of the Macao SAR Government when she met the delegates. She said that Macao SAR would mark its 10th Anniversary next year, riding on the support from the Central Government and efforts of the citizens in Macao. The economy had witnessed a vibrant growth, employment stayed at a high level and the population enjoyed a better quality of life. While social and cultural developments were notably promoted, Macao also fostered a closer relationship with the Mainland and gained a wider network with the rest of the world, she said. Since the establishment of the Macao SAR, Macao had abided by the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Garrisoning of the MSAR”. In the performance of its defence functions and responsibilities, the Macao Garrison of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army safeguards the security of Macao. Ms Chan stressed that the Macao Government would continue to maintain an effective liaison with the Macao Garrison and uphold the successful implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle. After the meeting, the delegation listened to the latest economic development of Macao. During this one-day visit, the delegation also visited the troops as well as some scenic places. The delegation left Macao in the afternoon and to continue their visit to Zhuhai. These foreign military attaches started their journey on 16 September. They had visited Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
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The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, today met the President of Guinea-Bissau, Mr João Bernardo Vieira, who arrived yesterday for a two-day visit. Mr Vieira, who was in Beijing to attend the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, made a courtesy call on Ms Chan this morning and they exchanged views on promoting co-operation between Macao and Guinea-Bissau, and Macao’s role as a business platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Mr Vieira then attended a luncheon hosted by Ms Chan, before touring the Macau Tower and visiting the Macao Foundation. Later, he met the press at the Military Club and held a reception there for the Guinea-Bissau community in Macao, before attending a banquet hosted by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen. In a speech, Mr Tam said that the Guinea-Bissau community in Macao worked hard in Macao and helped promote the economic links between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Mr Tam said he believed the relationship between Guinea-Bissau and Macao would enjoy an even closer relationship in the future. After the dinner, Mr Vieira and members of his delegation left Macao for Hong Kong.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) Director João Manuel Costa Antunes and Deputy Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes attended the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Board of Directors’ Meeting and Gold Awards Special Luncheon, held in Hyderabad, India. Director Antunes is member of the Board of Directors of PATA, member of the Membership Advisory Committee, Chairman 2008/2009 of the Nominating Committee and Chairman Elect 2008/2009 of PATA’s Government/Destination Category Meeting; while Deputy Director Fernandes is member of the Strategic Intelligence Advisory Committee PATA held its annual Gold Awards in India today, where plaques were presented to various winners for outstanding achievements. This year, MGTO is recognized for its determination and accomplishment in launching successful travel advertisements to boost Macau's tourism popularity. A special luncheon was held today in Hyderabad, India where PATA attributed a total of four Grand Awards in different categories and 22 Gold Awards. With “Experience Macau”, MGTO was awarded PATA’s Gold Award for Marketing Media – Travel Advertisement Print Media. Director Antunes accepted the honor on behalf of MGTO at the event. The series of multicolored print advertisements with the theme “Experience Macau”, created by MGTO's designer, portrays Macau as a destination that delights the five human senses: sight, taste, feeling, hearing and touch, with its unique characteristics. This is the third time that MGTO has been honored by PATA, having been awarded “Best of Show” Grand Award in 2007 for Heritage with the “Macau World Heritage Year Campaign” and in 2002 for Marketing with the “Macau Welcomes You Passport Campaign”. India is one of the fastest expanding tourism markets with an affluent segment of potential travellers. PATA Travel Mart 2008 (PTM08) was held in Hyderabad between September 16 & 19. With a total built-up floor space of 3,766 square meters, the Travel Mart attracted over 1000 trade delegates, comprising 374 global buyers and 715 Asia Pacific seller delegates, plus dozens of international media delegates. More information on PATA Travel Mart 2008 is available at http://www.pata.org 10 industry stakeholders from hotels, resorts, ferry companies, convention and exhibition centres of Macau participated at the PATA Travel Mart 2008. Each representative was entitled to 40 one-on-one appointments over six business sessions for business opportunities. Macau is represented with a stand decorated with the promotional theme "Experience Macau", to highlight Macau's multi-faceted tourism products. The next PATA Board of Directors’ Meeting will be held in Macau in 2009, while Hangzhou in Mainland China will host PATA Travel Mart 2009.
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Macau Government Tourist Office led a delegation of 23 tourism industry representatives from Macau to participate in the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) World Tourism Congress and JATA World Trade Fair 2008 in Tokyo. A seminar will be held to promote regional tourism of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. JATA World Tourism Congress and JATA World Trade Fair 2008 opened on Sept 18 and 19 respectively. Head of Promotion and Marketing Department of MGTO Cecilia Tse met with the media on Sept 19 to introduce the latest development of Macau’s tourism industry. Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau jointly hosted a seminar to promote multi-destination itineraries for the three places during the fair, aiming to attract more visitors from Japan to travel to the Pearl River Delta cities and boost regional tourism to achieve sharing of tourism resources for mutual benefits of the region. MGTO set up booth at JATA World Trade Fair 2008 where representatives of the travel trade from Macau met with their counterparts for business. Performances on site showcased the unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures and introduced the latest tourism products of Macau. With a history of almost half a century, JATA is the largest tourism association in Japan with over 3,000 members. JATA World Tourism Congress and JATA World Trade Fair are the most important annual congress and international travel fair in Japan.
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The signing ceremony between the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the United Mexican States on Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement took place in the Macao SAR Government Headquarters on 19 September. The Government of the Macao SAR was granted the authorization from the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China to conclude the above-mentioned agreement. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms. Florinda da Rosa Silva Chan, and the Acting Consul General of Mexico in Hong Kong and Macao, Mr. Hector Huerta, representing respectively the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Government of the United Mexican States signed the agreement. The agreement will be effective from 19 October 2008. After the agreement comes into effect, holders of a valid Macao SAR Passport will be exempted from visa requirements when entering the United Mexican States for a stay of maximum 90 days. At present, a total of 77 countries and territories have agreed to grant visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to the Macao SAR passport holders, while 9 countries have agreed to grant the visa-free access to the Macao SAR Travel Permit holders.
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Amid the turbulence of the international financial system, the American International Group (AIG) – the largest American insurer and ranks fourth globally – was faced with serious liquidity problems, which prompted the Federal Reserve Board to authorise the Federal Reserve Bank, New York, to grant AIG a loan of USD 85 billion. This action will allow AIG to honour its commitments as and when they fall due and to take appropriate measures to set right its financial position. On the other hand, the action of the Federal Reserve Board has undoubtedly imparted confidence on those who are owners of insurance policies or financial instruments of AIG. As regards the situation of the Macau Branch of American International Assurance Company (Bermuda), Limited, the interests of the policy owners, insureds and beneficiaries were never at risk, given the prudential supervisory mechanism set in place under the Macau Insurance Ordinance. In reality, according to the provisions of the said law, insurers are required to have at their disposal financial compatibilities to cover their insurance liabilities, which are in the form of technical reserves and solvency margin. The technical reserves are required to be backed up with certain admissible assets as determined by the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM), and such assets cannot be uplifted without the express authorisation of the AMCM or, in certain cases, Chief Executive of the MSAR. The Macao Branch of the American International Assurance Company (Bermuda), Limited has duly covered its technical reserves with admissible assets, with the cover ratio being over 100%, while the solvency margin is in excess of the required minimum under the legal framework for insurance activity. In view of the above, the AMCM considers that the economic-financial situation of the Macau Branch of American International Assurance Company (Bermuda), Limited is solid and that the liabilities arising from insurance contracts issued by the said insurer are adequately guaranteed.
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The Statistics and Census Service released the results of the survey on Manpower Needs and Wages for the second quarter of 2008. The survey covered Wholesale & Retail Trade; Transport, Storage & Communications; Security Activities and Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities, but excluded own-account workers engaging in these industries. The survey results were extrapolated from the information collected from 887 statistical units successfully interviewed. At the end of the second quarter of 2008, Wholesale & Retail Trade had 25,392 paid employees, up by 16.3% over the same period of 2007, with 14,769 working in Retail trade. In June 2008, the average earnings (excluding bonuses and allowances) for full-time employees amounted to MOP 8,302, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.8%. Sales representatives and Salespersons earned MOP 10,934 and MOP 7,079 respectively in average. Transport, Storage & Communications took on 7,548 paid employees, up by 2.2% over the second quarter of 2007. In June 2008, the average earnings for full-time employees in this sector increased by 10.2% year-on-year to MOP 14,868. Passenger vehicle/truck drivers in Land transport earned an average of MOP 13,145. Security Activities had 3,777 paid employees, up by 3.8% over the second quarter of 2007. Average earnings for full-time employees in June 2008 rose by 19.4% year-on-year to MOP 7,407, with Security guards earning MOP 7,055 in average. Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities had 632 paid employees, up by 7.1% compared with the second quarter of 2007; the average earnings for full-time employees in June 2008 increased by 5.5% year-on-year to MOP 11,037. At the end of June 2008, Wholesale & Retail Trade reported to have 3,454 vacancies, of which 1,997 were in Retail trade; Transport, Storage & Communications had 910 and Security Activities had 485 vacancies. As regards recruitment prerequisites, 57.7% of the vacancies in Wholesale & Retail Trade and 37.5% in Transport, Storage & Communications required working experience; 58.9% and 28.9% of the vacancies in the above-mentioned industries required junior secondary or lower in educational attainment, while 84.5% of those in Security Activities required primary education only. Besides Cantonese, Mandarin (53.6%) was the more preferable language skill in Wholesale & Retail Trade.
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“Wynn Macau – 20th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest” kicks off today (September 13) as the fireworks teams from Germany and Korea light up the sky of Macau with splendid fireworks. Teams from Japan and the United Kingdom will celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with their pyrotechnic skills tomorrow. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government Chui Sai On, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office João Manuel Costa Antunes and Jay Dee Clayton executive Vice President-operations of Wynn Macau officiate the opening ceremony at the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza. Held on September 13, 14, 20, 27 and October 1 at the sea area across the Macau Tower, Wynn Macau – 20th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest has attracted ten teams from around the world to vie for the contest. The contest this year features ten teams from Germany, Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Chinese Taiwan, the Philippines, France, Australia and China; each will show off their pyrotechnic wizardry to spectators both from Macau and overseas. This year again, each participating team is requested to complement their display with music to enthrall the audience with a light and sound spectacular. MGTO will strive to improve year on year the quality of the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest to make it an event not to be missed for residents and visitors. To enhance the effect and audience enjoyment, sound systems are installed at the waterfront of the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza, at the Macau Tower Street seaside and at the square in front of Kun Iam Statue on Ave. Dr Sun Yat Sen so that the public can enjoy synchronized music to the spectacular displays. Spectators are able to listen to live music of the fireworks displays through Radio Macau’s live broadcast at FM100.7. For the Mainland citizens to enjoy the marvelous fireworks and festive atmosphere of the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, Jiangsu Radio of Nanjing will broadcast a 2-hour live program at the Macau Tower with the help of MGTO. The two fireworks displays tonight will also be filmed and broadcasted on the channel of “Made in Hong Kong and Macau” on Jiangsu Metronet http://news.js.cn/zt/gangao/index.html for a period of 30 days. The teams taking part in this year’s contest are: NICO Lunig Event GmbH from Germany, Hanwha Corportation from Korea, Tamaya Art Pyro Technics from Japan, Pyro 2000 Fireworks from the United Kingdom, Macedo & Companhia Pirotecnia, Lda., from Portugal, Wan Dar Fireworks Mfg. Co. Ltd. from Chinese Taiwan, La Mancha Pyro, Inc. from the Philippines, Brezac-Artifices from France, Infinity Pyrotechnics from Australia and Liuyang Jiding Fireworks Manufacture Export Co. Ltd. from China. Each fireworks display will last for approximately 18 minutes, and there will be two displays per evening at 9pm and 10pm. To enhance the quality and attractiveness of the contest, MGTO have increased the production subsidy and cash prizes to the fireworks teams. The production subsidy has been raised from US$17,500 to US$20,000. Cash prize to the winner has increased from US$6,000 to US$8,000, while prizes to the first and second runners-up have increased from US$3,200 to US$4,000, and from US$1,800 to US$2,500 respectively. To further enhance the event, MGTO and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau join hands again to present the Fireworks Carnival 2008 on the shorefront beside the Macau Tower. The opening ceremony of the Fireworks Carnival 2008 will be held today (September 13) at 7:30pm. Citizens can enjoy an array of live entertainment, cultural activities and culinary delights at the carnival between 5:00 - 11:00 p.m. on each of the fireworks display nights. Over 20 stalls offering snacks and souvenirs will also add sparkle to the party.
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Macao and Mainland officials would soon meet to discuss the importation of Mainland domestic workers to Macao, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, said today. Speaking to the press after a meeting with representatives from the Women’s General Association of Macau, Mr Tam said that at the invitation of the Ministry of Commerce, the Macao Government would visit the Ministry and study the mechanism of introducing domestic workers from the Mainland. Mr Tam said that was a demand for domestic workers in Macao, with more than 10,000 of them working here now. With the introduction of Mainland domestic workers, households in Macao would be given another source for domestic workers. However, Mr Tam reiterated that the Government would continue to uphold the principle of allowing imported workers only when there is a shortage of the same skills in Macao.
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