News

Zhuhai’s confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) patient entered the Mainland through Macao last Friday evening and left Macao on the same night, the Health Bureau announced today. The patient arrived in Macao at Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal in the evening and took bus No. 3 or No. 3A to the Border Gate Checkpoint about 22:45 and entered the Mainland. The patient developed symptoms of influenza in Zhuhai the following day and tests confirmed him as Zhuhai’s first H1N1 patient today. Since the man had not developed symptoms of influenza when he took the bus in Macao, it was unlikely for passengers on board to contract the virus, thus they were not required to be kept under medical observation, the Bureau said. The patient, a Mainlander, was 172cm tall, with a short beard and long hair. He was wearing a grey T-shirt, a blue jacket and blue jeans while on the bus. He was also carrying a navy blue suitcase. As a precaution, passengers on the same bus who are worried could contact the Health Bureau at 28561122 for advice. Last night Taiwan’s health authorities gave the Health Bureau information of two persons who had sat near Taiwan’s 13th confirmed H1N1 patient on the plane. The two had arrived in Macao on 30 May and spent 40 minutes at the airport in transit. The Bureau had conveyed the information to the health authorities of their destination. Meanwhile, three Macao women were also tested negative for the virus today. The Hospital Conde S. Januário treated 99 children and 49 adults with respiratory illness symptoms today and medical teams at terminals checked body temperatures of more than 148,000 people entering Macao. They also dealt with 98 enquiries. To date there is no probable or confirmed human case of Influenza A (H1N1) reported in Macao.
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To celebrate the upcoming International Archives Day the Macao Historical Archives will open its doors on June 6th to members of the public wanting to try their hand at basic bookbinding, one of the many skills used in preserving Macao’s precious archival heritage. Taught by conservation specialists, the two identical sessions will use interactive methods to introduce participants to the traditional techniques used to create paperback books. By the end of the workshop, everyone can take home their own handmade notebook. The workshop costs MOP$20, including all materials, and is suitable for participants who are at least 10 years old. Please register at the Reception Desk of the Macao Historical Archives on Tap Seac Square (open from 9.30am to 6.30pm) to ensure a place. Registration starts today and is on a “first come first served” basis. Session 1: June 6th, 9:30am - 12:30pm (maximum 12 participants)
Session 2: June 6th, 2:00pm - 5:00pm (maximum 12 participants)
For further enquiries, please call Ms. Esther Chu at the Macao Historical Archives on 85986537.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the gross available supply of Electricity in the first quarter of 2009 declined by 13.6% quarter-to-quarter, of which imports of Electricity decreased by 56.9%, bringing its relative importance to gross available supply to drop notably from 67.2% in the fourth quarter of 2008 to 33.5%; however, generation of Electricity in Macao surged significantly by 72.1%. Consumption of Electricity totalled 665 million kWh, down by 14.3% quarter-to-quarter but up by 1.3% year-on-year. The selling price of all types of fuels, except Unleaded Gasoline (+5.4%), registered decrease in the first quarter of 2009; selling price of Centralized Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Bottled LPG lowered by 20.0% and 16.0% respectively quarter-to-quarter, that of Fuel Oil also fell by 9.9%. In the first quarter of 2009, imports of Gasoline went down by 12.3% over the preceding quarter to 14.9 million litres, with the average price of imports falling by 20.6%; consumption of Gasoline dropped down slightly by 0.5% to 16.2 million litres. Meanwhile, imports of LPG rose by 28.6% quarter-to-quarter to 11,750 tonnes, with the average price of imports decreasing by 14.3%; consumption of LPG went up by 8.0% to 11,314 tonnes.
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An American and a Japanese who entered Macao with a fever were tested negative for Influenza A (H1N1) virus today, the Health Bureau said. The medical team at the airport detected their abnormal temperature and sent them for tests. Meanwhile, the Hospital Conde S. Januário treated 137 children and 42 adults with respiratory illness symptoms today and medical teams at terminals checked body temperatures of more than 144,000 people entering Macao. They also dealt with 220 enquiries. To date there is no probable or confirmed human case of Influenza A (H1N1) reported in Macao.
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An American female national who entered Macao with a fever was tested negative for Influenza A (H1N1) virus today, the Health Bureau said. The medical team at the airport detected her abnormal temperature and sent her for tests. Today medical teams at terminals checked body temperatures of more than 134,000 people entering Macao. They also dealt with 146 enquiries. To date there is no probable or confirmed human case of Influenza A (H1N1) reported in Macao.
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Six more have been tested negative for Influenza A (H1N1), the Health Bureau said today. To date there is no probable or confirmed human case of Influenza A (H1N1) reported in Macao. Meanwhile, the Hospital Conde S. Januário treated 100 children and 36 adults with respiratory illness symptoms today and medical teams at terminals checked body temperatures of more than 149,000 people entering Macao. They also dealt with 146 enquiries. In the light of the spread of the virus, the Bureau urged people returning to Macao from overseas to avoid attending events at crowded venues within a seven-day period after their return. Should they develop any flu symptoms, they should wear a facemask and see a doctor immediately.
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IFT organised two public seminars on 1 June - “When the Tides Turned – How Las Vegas is Weathering the Financial Tsunami” and “The Next Rising Star in Gaming and Entertainment? Updates on the Development of Singapore’s Integrated Resorts”. Dr. Stuart Mann, Dean of William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and Dr. Andy Nazarechuk, Dean of UNLV Singapore Campus are the invited speakers. Dr. Stuart H. Mann has served as Dean of the world renowned William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas since 1998. He holds the Michael D. Rose Distinguished Chair and is a faculty member in the hotel management department, as well as being dean. He is the author of over 35 published research papers focusing on problem-solving and decision-making. His more recent publications deal with both multi-objective and multi-criteria decision-making and simulation methods for training hospitality employees. At the seminar, Dr. Mann shares his views on how Las Vegas, as metropolis of the gaming and MICE industry, overcome the financial breakdown. Dr. Andy Nazarechuk, the founding Dean of University of Nevada Las Vegas-Singapore, is a leader in both the academic and the professional worlds of hospitality development. He not only designed and developed the resources of the modern, technologically advanced facility of the first international campus of the renowned William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, but he also designed and developed the programmes offered at the Singapore campus. He is an internationally known speaker, facilitating workshops, teaching courses, and addressing conferences and conventions for hotel professionals and academics on topics ranging from human resource motivation & management to casino management. As gaming is mushrooming in Singapore, Dr. Nazarechuk analyses the current development and prospectus of the industry. IFT always advance the research level as to contribute to the industry and the society. By organising various seminars and workshops, IFT is devoted to constantly share with the industry the most updated information and research findings, in order to foresee the future of Macao’s tourism industry.
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An American national who had close contact with Hong Kong’s sixth confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) case had completed the medical observation period and left the quarantine site today, the Health Bureau announced. The American, who had sat near the patient on the same plane, showed no symptoms of influenza and was tested negative for the virus. Three other people were also tested negative for Influenza A (H1N1) virus today. Meanwhile, Guangdong health authorities had informed Macao of a domestic case of the virus today, but so far there were no sign of community outbreaks there. The Bureau said it would continue to monitor the spread of the virus. People visiting regions with confirmed cases should take note of the spread of the virus and keep good personal hygiene, the Bureau advised. Meanwhile, the Hospital Conde S. Januário treated 119 children and 25 adults with respiratory illness symptoms today and medical teams at terminals checked body temperatures of more than 142,000 people entering Macao. They also dealt with 211 enquiries To date there is no probable or confirmed human case of Influenza A (H1N1) reported in Macao.
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Three people who returned from Japan and America today with fever were tested negative for Influenza A (H1N1) virus. Two of them were Macao residents, aged about 20, and the other was a 19-month-old Japanese girl. They were found to have fever and respiratory illness symptoms by the medical team at the airport. Meanwhile, the Hospital Conde S. Januário treated 86 children and 42 adults with respiratory illness symptoms today and medical teams at terminals checked body temperatures of more than 120,000 people entering Macao. They also dealt with 83 enquiries To date there is no probable or confirmed human case of Influenza A (H1N1) reported in Macao.
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Headed by the Macau Business Tourism Centre (MBTC) of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), a delegation of Macau trade representatives from hotels, convention and exhibition venues, event and destination management companies exhibited at the IMEX 2009 in Frankfurt, Germany on 26-28 May. Hosted in Germany annually, the IMEX is the essential worldwide exhibition for the international meetings, event and incentive travel industry to meet face to face in order to network, undertake professional education and, importantly, to conduct business. This year, more than 3,500 leading exhibitors from 157 countries participated in IMEX 2009. It is anticipated that over 3,700 hosted buyers and 8,700 trade visitors from around the world will visit the show. Other co-exhibitors at the booth of MGTO were members of the “Industry Partners Program” namely, Apex Event Specialist Co. Ltd, DOC DMC Macau Ltd, City of Dreams and Altira Macau, Coastal International Exhibition (Macau) Co. Ltd, and Macau Convention and Exhibition Association, displaying their promotional materials under this marketing platform provided by MGTO. In addition, many trade visitors approached the booth during the trade show requesting information on MGTO’s new “Strategic MICE Market Stimulation Program” which was launched just a week ago, aiming to assist business tourism partners as well as to maintain the momentum and competitive edge Macau has been building as an international destination. The program consists of three main categories: Conventions and Meetings, Exhibitions and Incentives. Any MICE organizers or planners that booked events in Macau up until 31 December 2009 are entitled to the application (http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo/en/page/content.php?page_id=184). As part of its effort to drive the industry forward, MGTO will bring more members of the “Industry Partner Program” to participate in several renowned MICE trade shows upcoming for the second half of this year. These include The 4th International Travel Expo MICE (ITE MICE) in Hong Kong in June, China Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM) in Beijing in September, Incentive Travel & Convention Meetings of Asia (IT&CMA) in Bangkok in October and European Incentive & Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (EIBTM) in Barcelona in December. Relaunch of the AACVB As treasurer and secretariat of the Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (AACVB), MGTO attended a press conference conducted by the Association on the sideline of the IMEX 2009 on 26 May. The purpose of this press conference was to announce the relaunch of the AACVB as well as to reveal its new vision, goals, strategies and ambitions. The AACVB was established in 1983. The Association is now being relaunched with a new agenda which will help drive more MICE traffic to the Asian region through the establishment of a shared data bank among member CVBs. The new strategic direction also calls for the sharing of best practices and the creation of joint branding, advertising and marketing. AACVB will also look into areas such as training programs and accreditation to raise the region’s industry standards and professionalism. Other member convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs) of AACVB include China, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. This press release is available at: www.macautourism.gov.mo
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