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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that visitor arrivals totalled 2,343,451 in June 2008, a year-on-year increase of 22.0%. Visitors from Mainland China (1,358,912), Hong Kong (622,290) and Southeast Asia (128,058) rose by 36.6%, 0.6% and 42.3% respectively. Same-day visitors took up 53.1% of the total visitor arrivals, at 1,245,403. The majority of the visitors came from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, which accounted for 58.0%, 26.6% and 5.5% of the total respectively. In view of the tightening of the Individual Visit Scheme, 490,727 Mainland visitors travelled to Macao under such policy in June, representing 36.1% of the visitor arrivals from Mainland China. In the first half year of 2008, visitor arrivals reached 14,925,604, up by 18.1% year-on-year. Visitors from Mainland China (8,776,232) and Southeast Asia surged by 27.1% and 56.6% respectively, but those from Hong Kong dropped by 1.4%. Same-day visitors shared 52.9% of the total visitor arrivals, at 7,902,844. Analyzed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by sea went up by 10.3% over the same period of 2007 to 4,642,221. Among them, 4,139,005 arrived at the Outer Harbour (+4.8%), with 57.8% from Hong Kong and 22.4% from Mainland China. Visitor arrivals by land grew by 22.1% to 9,431,951. Visitors arriving through the Border Gate increased by 16.5% to 8,921,747 and the majority were visitors from Mainland China (79.5%) and Hong Kong (14.3%). In addition, visitor arrivals by air totalled 851,432, up by 20.6% over the same period of 2007. Visitors arriving at the Macao International Airport rose by 19.4% to 834,575 and the main users were visitors from Taiwan, China (35.4%), Southeast Asia (31.0%) and Mainland China (21.1%).
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government presents the 22nd Macao International Music Festival (MIMF) from October 5th to November 2nd, 2008. Each year the Macao International Music Festival brings internationally renowned artists from all over the world to Macao. Over the course of its decades-long history, it has gradually evolved into the major musical event in the territory. The MIMF seeks to promote a balanced range of performances in order to reflect the diversity and uniqueness of Macao. It also strives to enrich the cultural life of the region while meeting the expectations and aspirations of the community. This year’s programme embraces opera, symphonic, choral and chamber music, as well as contemporary, folk, pop and jazz music. Also offered is yet another dynamic encounter between East and West. Headlining and opening the programme of the 22nd MIMF is a British orchestra with worldwide renown. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been for more than half a century "Britain's national orchestra" and has upheld the vision of its founder, Sir Thomas Beecham, bringing world-class performances of the greatest music ever written to a growing public, both at home and on its many tours across the globe. On their maiden voyage to Macao, the musicians of the RPO are led by renowned Principal Guest Conductor Leonard Slatkin (5/10, at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium, 8pm). The symphonic programme of the festival proceeds with celebrated British conductor Bramwell Tovey, who returns to Macao to conduct the third largest symphony orchestra in Canada, of which he is now Music Director. The Grammy Award-winning (2008) Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (14/10, MCC-GA, 8pm) is joined by Grammy Award-winning violinist Hilary Hahn, who at the age of 28 is one of the most compelling artists on the international concert circuit. Still more international artists travel to the MSAR this year, presenting an MIMF edition rich in diversity. Seventeen programmes of traditional, classical, pop, jazz and new music from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Portugal, the USA, Canada, Australia and Mainland China bathe Macao's stages in both ancient and experimental sonic colours. Europe comes into view as a quintet, a quartet and a trio celebrate the classical chamber music tradition at Dom Pedro V Theatre. The much lauded Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet (7/10, Dom Pedro V Theatre, 8pm) is the first permanently established wind quintet affiliated with the famous German orchestra. The group continues to astonish audiences worldwide with its range of expression, tonal spectrum and conceptual unity, succeeding in virtually the entire range of the wind quintet literature. The no less celebrated Haydn Quartet returns to Macao (25/10, Dom Pedro V Theatre, 8pm) to delight the public with a programme featuring one of the Austrian composer’s masterpieces for four string players. The ensemble is destined to perform the entire cycle of Haydn's 69 string quartets in Vienna in 2009, for a special concert series celebrating the composer’s bicentennial. On October 8th (Dom Pedro V Theatre, 8pm) Trio Apollon ignites an emotional fuse leading to their native Germany, performing masterworks of the German Romantic repertoire. The trio has won over the hearts of audiences worldwide with performances at New York's Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Philharmonie, Tokyo's Suntory Hall and venues in London and Paris. On the jazz front, the festival's offering is rich and varied. The unique sound of Kolsimcha the World Quintet (9/10, Mount Fortress, 8pm) has captivated and enthralled demanding audiences at New York's Carnegie Hall and London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, as well as those at the most renowned jazz, classical and world music festivals on three continents. Through their original musical language, the Swiss quintet shares enthusiasm and virtuosity, generating a concert atmosphere unlike any other. The sound of jazz soars from Mount Fortress once again played by the Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra (19/10, 8pm). This big band from the USA has captivated listeners around the world with its unique blend of South American grooves, Argentine folk songs, the passion of tango and jazz improvisation. Mr. Giraudo, in the tradition of such composers as Duke Ellington and Carla Bley, highlights the unique talents of each band member, masterfully weaving together both pre-composed and improvised elements. World music is a must in the MIMF, and this year the genre is represented by Portuguese multi-instrumentalist and Latin Grammy Award-winner Júlio Pereira (24/10, Dom Pedro V Theatre, 8pm). This major figure in the world of late 20th-century Portuguese music strives to incorporate the sounds of his native land into the aesthetic currents that have characterised a varied succession of “contemporaneities” on the international scene. His oeuvre is devoted to reviving performance on nearly-lost traditional instruments, and he works toward a synthesis of traditional sounds with new and ever-changing acoustic possibilities. The festival’s programme would not be complete without Chinese Folk Music (26/10, Mount Fortress, 8pm). For the Dong and the Miao/Hmong minority groups, dwelling in remote villages in Guizhou Province has given rise to a truly remarkable musical tradition, which harkens back to a pre-literate society where history and culture were passed orally from generation to generation and every aspect of life was expressed in song. As always, the Macao Chinese Orchestra takes the stage in the company of an invited guest. This year they honour Hong Kong’s celebrated martial arts hero and pop star Adam Cheng with a musical stroll down the Festival's red carpet (10-12/10, MCC-GA, 8pm). Adam Cheng has spent the last thirty years leaping back and forth from the screen to the stage, switching between the roles of iconic wushu master and romantic Cantopop singer. Adam’s dreamy, soft voice, together with his charisma and perpetual smile, have charmed a multitude of fans since his first taste of success during the 1970s. The second appearance of the Macao Chinese Orchestra (18/10, MCC-GA, 8pm) is truly a one-of-a-kind concert, offering the public a “Golden Lotus Flower” from Macao Psalms and excerpts from The Bewitching Braid, two world premieres commissioned by the Cultural Affairs Bureau from renowned Chinese composers Tang Jianping and Guan Naizhong. The orchestra pays homage as well to such ancient instruments as the pipa and dizi, on a voyage into the sounds of Chinese tradition. The Macao Orchestra, in turn, invites the distinguished Hungarian Ars Nova Vocal Ensemble (17/10, St. Dominic’s Church, 8pm) for an all-Mozart programme celebrating some of the most appreciated sacred music from the Austrian genius. Ars Nova was founded in 1990 by Katalin Kiss, its Artistic Director, and has enjoyed considerable success in various contests, winning the First Prize at the Rhodes International Choir Competition in Greece in 2005. The 14-voice ensemble returns to the applause of audiences on October 21st (St. Dominic’s Church, 8pm) to reveal the mysteries of Hungarian choral music from the 19th and 20th centuries, enriched by an interlude featuring modern settings of the Prayers of St. Francis of Assisi written by non-Hungarian composers. Still more voices soar in the MIMF. The second day of the Festival brings a concert by the St. Florian Boys’ Choir (6/10, St. Joseph’s Seminary Church, 8pm), a group that boasts a nearly one-thousand-year-old tradition. This internationally acclaimed chorus was, in the old days, responsible for providing church music for the Convent of St. Florian in Austria, and from its ranks have come such musicians of note as Anton Bruckner. Conductor Franz Farnberger steers the St. Florian Boys’ Choir over musical waves, dropping anchor in the deep waters of the Austrian tradition. Some two weeks later Macao audiences hear from the Hannover Girls’ Choir (23/10, Our Lady of Fátima Church, 8pm), one of the best known youth choruses in Germany. The Choir commands a broad range of music and styles, with a focus on contemporary choral works, and has contributed to the development of the repertoire for youth and women’s choirs by commissioning a number of new works. This year’s programme marks the return of the guitar to the festival. Brothers Slava and Leonard Grigoryan, born in Kazakhstan and raised in Australia, emerged in the past decade as two of the world’s most original classical guitarists. Together, they possess effortless virtuosity and brilliant musicianship in standard repertoire for the classical guitar, crossover material and contemporary compositions – an eclectic blend of musical styles well-represented on their MIMF concert programme (28/10, Dom Pedro V Theatre, 8pm). A trio of operas produced by Macao veterans Opéra de Nice closes the MIMF in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s birth. Il Trittico remains on the scene for three nights (31/10-2/11, MCC-GA, 7:30pm). Finnish conductor Jari Hämäläinen returns to conduct the Macao Orchestra after last year’s success with Rigoletto. An energetic cast sings this trio of one-act operas from the pen of a Puccini brimming with emotion. The great Italian composer was adamant that his triptych – Il Tabarro, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi – be performed as a set, and he was always infuriated whenever they were separated. This year, for Puccini's birthday, Macao honours his wish. The MIMF has invested renewed effort to provide workshops and conferences to accompany its events with the aim of stimulating public interest in the arts. As in previous editions of the MIMF, some of the performing groups' rehearsals will be open to the public. Tickets for the 22nd Macao International Music Festival go on sale at 10am on July 27th, 2008, at all Kong Seng Ticketing outlets. Telephone and online bookings will be available from 2pm onwards. A variety of discount plans will be offered. Publicity materials available at the ticket counters can provide more detailed information about the programme. For more information related to the 22nd MIMF, please visit the website of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at: www.icm.gov.mo/fimm which will be available from 5pm onwards on July 18th.
E-mail: fimm@icm.gov.mo
Information: (853) 2855 5555 Macao (852) 2380 5083 Hong Kong ( 86) 139 269 11111 Pearl River Delta Region Online Reservations: www.macauticket.net Hotline: (853) 8399 6699
The 22nd Macao International Music Festival has the kind support of the Macao Government Tourist Office.
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Two new measures to better regulate the flow of Mainland visitors to Macao were announced today. Effective 1 August, China passport holders transiting Macao to a third destination will only be allowed to stay here for seven days, from the present 14 days. Those who returned to China without proceeding to a third destination will only be allowed a maximum of two days transit if they applied again. Their third application will not be accepted. Effective 1 September, Mainland residents holding Exit-entry Permit for Traveling to and from Hong Kong and Macao, and endorsement to visit Hong Kong, will not be allowed to enter Macao via Hong Kong, the Public Security Forces Affairs said.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the second quarter of 2008 was 143.55, up by 10.77% year-on-year. The price indices of Miscellaneous goods; Restaurant service; and Food, alcoholic drinks & tobacco surged significantly by 27.59%, 12.10% and 10.02% respectively. The increments were attributable to dearer jewellery prices driven by rising gold prices, higher charges of restaurant service and a general increase in the prices of food and alcoholic beverages. On the other hand, the price index of Accommodation recorded a decrease of 2.01%, on account of lower hotel room rates due to the absence of Easter holidays that fell in the first quarter of this year and the reduced number of holidays of the Labour Day “Golden Week”. Compared with the first quarter of 2008, TPI fell by 1.54% in this quarter, with the price index of Accommodation decreasing by 16.02%. On the contrary, the price indices of Food, alcoholic drinks & tobacco; and Clothing & footwear rose by 4.02% and 3.64% respectively. The average TPI for the last 4 quarters ended the second quarter of 2008 increased by 11.55% over the previous period. In the first half of 2008, TPI increased by 12.90% year-on-year. TPI reflects the price changes of goods and services purchased by visitors, which is compiled based on the consumption pattern of visitors. TPI covers 8 sections of goods and services, namely Food, alcoholic drinks & tobacco; Clothing & footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant service; Transport & communications; Medicine & personal goods; Entertainment & culture; and Miscellaneous goods. The base year of TPI is from July 1999 to June 2000.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that Macao registered 425,787 visitor arrivals in package tours in May 2008, up notably by 47.2% from a year earlier. Visitors from Mainland China (278,879) and Hong Kong (32,068) grew by 47.5% and 45.7% year-on-year, while those from Southeast Asia (50,074) surged by 216.8%. In the first five months of 2008, visitors arrived in package tours rose by 22.1% over the same period of 2007 to 2,073,363. The number of Macao residents travelling outbound in package tours in May 2008 increased by 20.1% year-on-year to 16,057. Mainland China (69.5%), Thailand (8.2%) and Japan (6.9%) were the three most popular tour itineraries. In the first five months of 2008, Macao residents travelling in package tours rose by 11.5% over the same period of 2007 to 86,416. Meanwhile, 80,395 residents travelled outbound under individual arrangements using services provided by travel agencies, an upsurge of 233.6% over May 2007. Hong Kong (79.0%), Mainland China (9.3%) and Taiwan, China (4.0%) were the major destinations. In the first five months of 2008, Macao residents travelled under such arrangements rose significantly by 60.9% year-on-year to 201,136. At the end of May 2008, the total number of guest rooms available in the hotel sector grew by 3,182 (+24.4%) from a year earlier to 16,234 rooms. In May 2008, a total of 544,151 guests checked into hotels and similar establishments, representing a year-on-year increase of 19.9%; the majority of the guests came from Mainland China (48.6%) and Hong Kong (22.7%). The average hotel occupancy rate rose slightly by 0.6 percentage point to 72.9%, with 4-star hotels leading at 77.5%; in addition, the average length of stay of hotel guests extended by 0.1 night to 1.4 nights. Total number of hotel guests reached 2,697,570 in the first five months of 2008, up by 17.9% over the same period of 2007. In the first five months of 2008, visitor-guests staying in hotels accounted for 43.1% of the total number of tourists, up from 42.7% in the corresponding period of 2007.
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With reference to some recent media reporting of the situation of Air Macau, the Macao SAR Government takes this opportunity to make the following statement: 1.The Macao SAR Government takes note of the present situation of Air Macau and will continue to monitor closely the operation as well as keep in close contact with the management of the company. 2.Given the high operational costs resulting from high fuel prices and the keen competition in the aviation industry, the local airlines are now facing difficulties in their operations. According to the reports of the International Air Transport Association, similar difficulties are faced by many airlines elsewhere and the year 2008 is a devastating year for the air transport industry worldwide. 3.The Macao SAR Government believes that the management of Air Macau will be able to overcome the present difficulties.
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As a continuation of the debut Thai Catalogue Show held in May, SME Service Centre of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) is planning a series of country-themed catalogue shows successively for local SMEs to gain access to information of overseas products and service markets. Upcoming there will be the“Catalogue Show of Indonesian Products and Services”, jointly organised by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong and IPIM, held from 14th to 25th July 2008 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) at IPIM’s Macao Business Support Centre (Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpçao No. 263, Edif. China Civil Plaza, 19 Andar, Macau). Being a member of ASEAN, Indonesia has gradually become a significant trading partner of Macao. Trading activities between Indonesia and Macao has been increasing since the Handover, with trade figures growing intensively and recorded a 28.74% increase from 2006 to 2007, up 32.97% year on year. According to statistical data, there is a growth of 13.83% in the annual import value from Indonesia since 2000. Last year, total import value from Indonesia reached 203 million, of which around 70% are edible bird’s nest, food products, tableware and kitchenware, pumice stones, coffee and electronic products. The rich natural resources of Indonesia will enable Macao and Indonesia to benefit from long-term development in different arrays of business and economic co-operation. Through the joint efforts of the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Agriculture and Coordinating Board of Investment of Indonesia, an assorted collection of over 40 types of catalogues will be on display and total number of catalogues available for distribution will be over 5000 pieces. A wide range of materials, covering investment and travel guides, MICE information, promotional materials of food and beverages, agriculture, seafood, spices, handicraft industries and product pamphlets of Indonesian companies are included in the collection. Local SMEs in search for partners or distribution rights from Indonesia or any other interested parties are cordially invited to visit the Catalogue Show. For enquiries, please contact Mr Ho or Ms Leong of Small and Medium Enterprise Service Centre (28728212) or visit IPIM’s website www.ipim.gov.mo Macao Trade and Invest Kiosk for detailed information about the Show.
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The first jury meeting of the Macao Pavilion Concept Design Competition was successfully convened today (8 July). Upholding the established assessment criteria, the jury and the technical team held a consultation and selected the first three winning entries among 31 quality entries received. These entries are: “Dancing Lotus”, “Glitter” and “Lanternas do Coelhinho” (alphabetical order). Participants of these entries will give a presentation of their entries in the second jury meeting on 22 July. Macao residents who are over 16 years old can participate in the online “Make a Guess at the First Prize” campaign at the Macao SAR Government Portal http://www.gov.mo/macaoat2010expo and select their favorite First Prize-to-be. The organizer will select 200 winners by lucky draw from those who successfully guessed the First Prize. Each of the 200 winners will receive two admission tickets to the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Enthusiastic participation, quality entries The Competition received enthusiastic industry responses: 31 quality entries received, among which are entries from Taiwan and Beijing. It is reported that some Macao students studying abroad in related specialties contacted local architects and expressed wishes to participate in the Competition as a group. This clearly reflects the earnest attention of the public on construction preparation of Macao Pavilion The jury and technical team The selection mechanism is divided into two parts: the jury and the technical team. Chaired by Mr. Francis Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance, the jury is composed of 11 jurors from governmental bureaus and professional associations. The function of the technical team is to give technical advices to the jury. Members of the jury and technical team are listed in annex 1. Five assessment criteria The Jury shall uphold the principles of openness, fairness and justice, as well as observe five criteria of assessment in its professional selection of winning entries. First, concept design of entry must conform to the themes of Shanghai World Expo “Better City, Better Life” and Macao Pavilion “Spirit of Cultures, Essence of Harmony”. Second, it must meet the requirements for design of Macao Pavilion. Third, it must comply with the parameters of Macao Pavilion. Fourth, entry should be creative and feasible. Finally, entry must possess overall aesthetic and practicality. At the same time, entry shall also satisfy requirements of Macao Pavilion concept design, including featuring its theme; featuring Macao as a city of tourism, entertainment and leisure; featuring the achievements of Macao in culture, social construction and economy after the handover; harmonizing and echoing the style of China Pavilion; utilizing advance technology of multi-media and incorporate interactive and entertaining elements; and taking into consideration concerns of environmental protection both in the design and materials used. Proceedings of selection All entries are represented by numbers. The concept design documents shall not contain any name, sign or symbol that can reveal the identity of the individual or group participants. In witnesses of the jury and technical team, concept design documents were unsealed on 7 July. The first jury meeting held yesterday (8 July) brought about the naissance of the first three winning entries, five excellence and 10 selected entries (for list, please refer to annex II). Participants of the first three winning entries will give a 15-minute presentation of their entries at the second jury meeting on 22 July. Subsequent to further consultations, the jury will decide on the First Prize, Second Prize and Third Prize of the Competition. The First Prize will be awarded MOP180,000; the Second Prize MOP60,000; the Third Prize MOP30,000; Excellence MOP10,000 each; and Selected MOP 3,000 each. Final results will be announced in July. Final results will be announced end of the month. Winning entries will be showcased in the “World Expo National Tour Exhibition” to be held in Macao in October this year.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, said today that a law would be introduced soon to cap the gaming junket promoters' commissions at 1.25%. Mr Tam announced this after he met with representatives of six gaming operators this afternoon. He said this decision was based on the principle of the Gaming Industry Regulatory Framework, and a by-law for this cap would soon be passed to the Executive Council for further discussion. This process is expected to be completed in August, he said. The by-law would provide for stiff punishment for violators, but there would be a grace period for operators to make the necessary adjustment in their contracts with gaming promoters. Mr Tam also said the Government was very concerned to hear that some foreign workers were being employed as dealers -- which was against law -- and the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau would closely monitor the situation. So far, they have not seen a case. Mr Tam said issues such as the number of tables, local manpower and gaming workers’ promotion prospects were also discussed at the meeting.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, today emphasised that the Government was in close touch with the gaming operator in seeking ways to minimise the effect on some 200 staff that were laid off several days ago. Mr Tam said this after he met with legislators Mr Ng Kuok Cheong and Mr Au Kam San to hear their opinions on the issue, the management of foreign labour and on the labour policy. He said their suggestions were similar to the Government's consistent planning, and that would be a reference for policy making in the future. He stressed that the Government was open to all suggestions. On the lay off, Mr Tam reasserted that the Labour Affairs Bureau had made some suggestions to the gaming operator, but whether they would be accepted was up to the operator. He said the Government's long-term goal was to prevent lay offs. On the recruitment of foreign labour, Mr Tam stressed that the aim was to supplement the lack of local manpower. Over the past year, both gaming profits and the scope of the industry were increasing, the proportion of local staff to foreign workers was one of the main subject the Government studied to review the development of the industry, said Mr Tam.
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