News

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today sent a letter to his Hong Kong counterpart, Mr Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, to express deep condolences and sympathy to victims and their families of the Manila tragedy, on behalf of the Macao SAR and its people. In his letter, Mr Chui said he was in deep sorrow to learn of the incident, during which the Macao people were deeply worried about the safety of the hostages. The Macao SAR Government would help in whatever way it could, he said.
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Due to hostage-taking tragedy in Manila which claimed the lives of eight from Hong Kong, the Tourism Crisis Management Office reminded Macao residents planning visit the Philippines and those who are there to exercise due caution to their personal safety. In case of emergency, Macao residents should contact the local police immediately and, If necessary, call the Macao Tourism Hotline: (853) 2833 3000 for assistance. Seven Macao tourists in Manila originally scheduled to return tonight would return earlier via Hong Kong. The Tourism Crisis Management Office had contacted 11 Macao residents who had joined a tour group to Cebu via Hong Kong: they are safe and would continue with their itinerary and return on Friday. It is expected that no Macao residents would visit the Philippines in tour groups in the near future as there is no scheduled tour groups to the country from Macao and Hong Kong. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Tourism Administration had also reminded Chinese nationals to exercise caution in visiting the Philippines. Those who are currently in the country must pay attention to security risks. In case of emergency, they should report to the local police and contact the embassy in the Philippines (Tel: 0063-2-8482409, 0063-9178972695), Consulate in Cebu (Tel: 0063-32-2563456), Consulate in Laoag (Tel:0063-9178051226), or the Centre for Consular Assistance and Protection of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tel: 010-65964088).
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Due to the serious kidnap incident that happened in the Philippines, resulting in casualties and injuries, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has today (23 August) raised the travel alert to black. The Tourism Crisis Management Office would like to remind Macao residents to be attentive to the situation in the Philippines, and those who are currently travelling in the country to exercise due caution to their personal safety. In case of any emergency, please report to the local police. If necessary, Macao residents may also call the Macao Tourism Hotline: (853) 2833 3000 for assistance. Following contacts with the local tourism industry, the Tourism Crisis Management Office understands that 7 Macao residents are currently travelling on a tour group in the Philippines. All are safe and will return to Macao tomorrow according to their itinerary.
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The Cross-departmental Working Team checked 4 premises from yesterday nightfall until 5p.m. today (August 23). One premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally was sealed and one operator was detained. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 254 premises were checked, of which 24 were normal residences, while 31 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed with electricity and water supply cut. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. MGTO and the police will continue investigation on unanswered doors which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. When necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. To date, a total of 249 occupants were detained, including 7 operators, four touts, 4 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and one occupant who failed to fulfill her duty of cooperation. Among the occupants, there were five overstayers and one illegal immigrant. In line with the newly implemented law, MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau have launched various promotional and educational activities such as putting up posters at concerned districts and major checkpoints while deploying staff at Macau International Airport, Border Gate, Macau Ferry Terminal and Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal to distribute leaflets and brochures. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date will be denied reentry into Macau. 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 and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas.
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With reference to some media reports on the new Instrument Guidance System in Estrada de Sede Tanques in Taipa, due to the fact that some of the description was not accurate, AACM takes this opportunity to provide the following factual information: Most of the systems operated by Macau International Airport have been running for more than 10 years. For this reason, the airport has been working on the renewal of the systems since some years ago, including the installation of the new Instrument Guidance System (IGS). During the planning stage of the renewal of the new IGS, as the residence construction plan belonging to a private developer might have interference on the signals transmitted by the original IGS, the private developer proposed to CAM-Macau International Airport Company Ltd. that they could assist CAM in removing and renewing the original IGS in advance. Following the agreement between CAM and the private developer in cost settlement as well as following the assessment done in compliance with the safety standards of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) by AACM, CAM, Administration of Airports, Ltd. and other relevant entities on the new site, it was agreed among all relevant entities that the new site will not affect the flight procedures. AACM then provided technical guidance to CAM on the system design in accordance with the ICAO requirement on the subject. The construction of the project was completed in 2008 and launched in August 2009. The operation has been satisfactory. Considering that the costs for personnel training and flight checks should not be settled by government money or CAM’s budget but by the private developer being the constructor of the new system, AACM and CAM requested the private developer to arrange the respective training and flight checks. To ensure aviation safety, the construction and the personnel training of the new IGS was carried out under the close monitoring of the Authority and all relevant airport entities, In what regards whether the heights of the buildings in Estrada de Sede Tanques in Taipa would affect aviation safety, according to Portaria No. 233/95/M of 14 August, the heights of the buildings in that area are within the limits as stipulated in the Portaria, as well as within the limits restricted for the COTAI area.
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Representative of the Identification Services Bureau met with the protesters who request for family reunion again this afternoon. This Bureau has reaffirmed that the SAR Government believes the issue of “Adult Children” has reached a reasonable and complete settlement. In pursuant to the stipulation of Article 22 of the Basic Law of the Macao SAR, Mainland residents entering Macao for residence is governed by the Central Government. Therefore, relatives of Macao residents in the Mainland must lodge the application to relevant authorities in accordance with the existing requirements of the Mainland.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the number of visitor and non-resident arrivals totalled 2,688,460 in July 2010. Total visitor arrivals rose by 23.2% year-on-year to 2,162,069. Same-day visitors (1,105,921) accounted for 51.2% of the total visitor arrivals, with 578,189 coming from Mainland China. Analyzed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China increased by 34.0% year-on-year to 1,142,017 (52.8% of total visitor arrivals), with 477,119 travelling to Macao under the Individual Visit Scheme, up by 40.3% from July 2009. Visitors from Hong Kong (670,953), Taiwan, China (121,273), Japan (32,892) and the Republic of Korea (28,590) rose by 15.4%, 3.5%, 28.4% and 40.1% respectively. Total visitor arrivals reached 14,391,515 in the first seven months of 2010, up by 18.7% year-on-year. The majority of visitors were from Mainland China (7,649,559), Hong Kong (4,251,364), Taiwan, China (774,426) and Japan (234,167). Same-day visitors accounted for 51.8% of the total visitor arrivals, at 7,455,329 in the first seven months of 2010. Analyzed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by sea totalled 5,922,856 in the first seven months of 2010, up by 22.0% year-on-year. Visitors arriving at the Outer Harbour increased by 10.1% to 3,693,648, with the majority coming from Hong Kong (51.8%) and Mainland China (24.1%); meanwhile, those arriving at the Provisional Ferry Terminal in Taipa rose by 51.3% to 2,024,079. Visitor arrivals by land increased by 17.5% year-on-year to 7,499,286 in the first seven months of 2010; those arriving through the Border Gate totalled 6,860,330 and the majority were visitors from Mainland China (78.9%) and Hong Kong (13.9%). Visitor arrivals by air rose by 9.1% year-on-year to 969,373 in the first seven months of 2010. Visitors arriving at the Macao International Airport went up by 9.9% to 957,078, with the majority coming from Taiwan, China (37.7%), Mainland China (30.0%) and Malaysia (7.4%).
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The Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) releases today the preliminary balance of payments (BOP) of Macao SAR for the reference year 2009. The BOP is a statistical statement that summarises external transactions of an economy with the rest of the world. In 2009, Macao's overall BOP recorded a surplus of MOP16.9 billion. Among the major components, the current account registered a surplus of MOP62.5 billion. The capital account had a net inflow of MOP5.1 billion and financial non-reserve assets showed a net increase of MOP22.1 billion. The visible trade deficit narrowed slightly to MOP39.6 billion. Strong exports in travel services boosted the invisible trade surplus to MOP122.0 billion, offsetting both the deficit in merchandise trade and the net outflow of factor income. The current account surplus therefore reached MOP62.5 billion, up considerably by MOP16.3 billion from the revised surplus of MOP46.2 billion in 2008. Imports of goods, valued at f.o.b., fell by 18.4%, while exports of goods plunged by 52.2% due to the continued decline in textiles and garment exports. Deficit in the goods account narrowed from MOP41.9 billion in 2008 to MOP39.6 billion in 2009. On the other hand, surplus in the services account rose from MOP112.1 billion to MOP122.0 billion. The income account, which reflects cross-border flows of factor income, recorded a net outflow of MOP13.5 billion in 2009, down substantially from the net outflow of MOP17.4 billion in 2008. This stemmed mainly from lesser income earned by foreign direct investors in Macao as well as a decrease in factor income outflow from other investment in the low-interest-rate environment. Current transfers, which include mainly inflow and outflow of workers’ remittances as well as donations received/made by local social service organisations with respect to the rest of the world, recorded a net outflow of MOP6.4 billion, representing a decrease of MOP0.2 billion from the previous year. Net inflow in the capital account increased from MOP3.2 billion in 2008 to MOP5.1 billion in 2009 largely due to an increase in inflow of non-government capital transfers. Net financial non-reserve assets registered a net outflow of MOP22.1 billion, against a net inflow of MOP26.6 billion in 2008. Of which, net inflow of direct investment slowed from MOP25.6 billion in 2008 to MOP18.7 billion in 2009 while other investment changed from a net inflow of MOP12.4 billion to a net outflow of MOP27.3 billion. Concurrently, portfolio investment recorded a net outflow of MOP13.4 billion, up from MOP11.1 billion in 2008. Net outflow of financial derivatives amounted to MOP121.7 million, down from MOP235.0 million in 2008. The account of reserve assets in BOP records the net change in foreign currency assets (excluding the SAR Reserve Fund) held by the Monetary Authority of Macao. In 2009, reserve assets, after price, exchange rate and other adjustments, increased by MOP16.9 billion, as compared to an accumulation of MOP18.2 billion in 2008. Macao’s BOP statistics are compiled in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s Balance of Payments Manual, Fifth Edition and Coordinated Direct Investment Survey Guide, as well as its relevant technical advice to the SAR. The current release incorporates preliminary estimates of key statistics, and a detailed report with revised data will be published in December 2010.
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The Cross-departmental Working Team checked 16 premises from 5p.m. yesterday (August 21) until 6p.m. today (August 22). Four premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 250 premises were checked, of which 24 were normal residences, while 30 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed with electricity and water supply cut. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. MGTO and the police will continue investigation on unanswered doors which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. When necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. To date, a total of 226 occupants were detained, including five operators, four touts, three persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and one occupant who failed to fulfill her duty of cooperation. Among the occupants, there were five overstayers and one illegal immigrant. In line with the newly implemented law, MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau have launched various promotional and educational activities such as putting up posters at concerned districts and major checkpoints while deploying staff at Macau International Airport, Border Gate, Macau Ferry Terminal and Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal to distribute leaflets and brochures. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date will be denied reentry into Macau. 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 and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas.
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Macau has returned to her Motherland for ten years, and the tourism industry, being the pillar of the local economy, is developing at a satisfactory pace. “The Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta” has positioned Macau as an international tourism and leisure destination, which will attract more different kinds of visitors in the future. In ten years, the number of visitor arrivals to Macau has grown from 7.44 million in 1999 to over 21 million in 2009. The number of overnight guests in hotels also grew from over 2.2 million in 1999 to over 6.7 million in 2009. Visitor arrivals in the first two quarters of this year exceeded 12 million, a surge of nearly 18% compared to same period of last year. For the first six months of this year, the number of overnight guests in hotels exceeded 3.8 million, a 22.4% growth over the same period of last year. Travelers are attentive to the quantity, quality and room rate of hotels, and Macau boasts hotels and guesthouses of various star ratings to meet the demand of different visitors. The current legislation regulates the ratings of different accommodation premises and investors can choose to establish different types and ratings of accommodation premises in Macau accordingly. The thresholds for establishing 2-star hotels, 2-star and 3-star guesthouses as stated in the legislation are not high, provided that the buildings and locations at which the premises are situated comply with the applied use. 2-star hotels as well as 2-star and 3-star guesthouses are considered as accommodation for budget travelers in Macau. There are currently 43 such premises, offering a total of 1,377 rooms. According to the information provided by the travel trade, during the peak season of the Chinese New Year Golden Week this year, the average room rate for 2-star hotels was 636 patacas, while the average room rate for guesthouses was 347 patacas. From January to June this year, the average occupancy rate of 2-star hotels was 76.54%, while that of the guesthouses was 54.82%. Currently, among the applications submitted to the licensing entity, there are two 2-star hotels offering 208 room and three 2-star and 3-star guesthouses offering a total of 119 rooms. According to other information, among the accommodation premises planned in the next three to five years, there are eight premises belonging to the above-mentioned categories, offering a total of about 300 rooms. However, the investors have not yet submitted the related applications to the tourist office. The rating of accommodation premises in Macau is in accordance with the legislation 16/96/M of April 1, 1996. Accommodation premises are divided into four categories, of which each is subdivided into different ratings (hotels are divided into 5-star deluxe, 5-star, 4-star, 3-star and 2-star, while guesthouses are divided into 3-star and 2-star). The tourist office approves applications of accommodation premises and confers the respective ratings in accordance with the above-mentioned legislation as well as the “Rules on Hotelier and Similar Industries” (technical criteria to regulate the ratings of establishments) approved by the legislation 83/96/M of April 1, 1996. To be in line with the development of the society and in response to the demand of the tourism industry, the above-mentioned legislation is under review. Till the end of July, there are 62 2-star to 5-star deluxe hotels, 31 2-star to 3-star guesthouses in Macau, offering a total of 20,963 rooms.
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