News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that visitor arrivals in package tours totalled 289,226 in May 2007, up by 21.3% year-on-year. Visitors from Mainland China (189,086) decreased by 2.2% and those from Taiwan, China (32,630) and Hong Kong (22,012) recorded remarkable growth of 128.2% and 193.8% respectively compared with May 2006. In the first five months of 2007, visitors arrived in package tours increased by 36.5% over the same period of 2006 to 1,698,338. In May, the number of Macao residents travelling in package tours dropped by 32.7% year-on-year to 13,370. Mainland China, Thailand, and Japan were the three most popular tour itineraries, which accounted for 70.5%, 8.8% and 5.1% of the total respectively. In the first five months of 2007, Macao residents travelling in package tours dropped by 28.8% over the same period of 2006 to 77,483. Meanwhile, 24,098 residents travelled under own arrangements using services provided by travel agencies, a decrease of 8.7% over May 2006. Hong Kong (37.6%), Mainland China (30.8%) and Taiwan, China (14.2%) were the major destinations. In the first five months of 2007, Macao residents travelled under such arrangements dropped by 12.8% compared with the same period of 2006 to 125,018. At the end of May 2007, the number of guest rooms available in the hotel industry registered an increase of 1,727 rooms (+15.2%) year-on-year to 13,052 rooms. In May 2007, a total of 453,669 guests checked into hotels and similar establishments, representing a year-on-year growth of 32.3%. The average hotel occupancy rate rose by 6.9 percentage points to 72.3%, with 4-star hotels leading at 77.6%. The average length of stay of hotel guests increased by 0.11 night to 1.26 nights. The majority of the guests came from Mainland China (51.3%) and Hong Kong (26.7%). Number of hotel guests totalled 2,287,312 in the first five months of 2007, up by 26.2% over the same period of 2006. In the first five months of 2007, hotel guests (excluding Macao residents) accounted for 42.7% of the total number of tourists, up from 40.5% in 2006.
…

The Secretary for Security, Mr Cheong Kuoc Va, was in Sichuan Province and the Tibet Autonomous Region for a six-day visit last week, during which he met his counterparts to enhance bilateral co-operation. Mr Cheong and members of the delegation arrived in Sichuan last Tuesday and met with the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Public Security of Sichuan Province, Mr Zhao Jian. They reviewed their co-operation in recent years and discussed measures to tighten their links in the future, especially on the fronts of combating trans-boundary organised crimes and fighting against offences affecting the general public. Later, Mr Choeng and his delegation visited the Tibet Autonomous Region and met with its Deputy Director-General of the Department of Public Security, Mr Lei Jinxiang. They expressed plans to build links between the two security bodies. Mr Cheong returned to Macao yesterday.
…

In accordance with the 2007 year plan of the Facilitation and Security Committee, a bomb threat exercise was carried out in Macau International Airport from 02:30 to 05:30 on 06 July 2007. The exercise simulated the scenario of a terrorist who claimed that he had put a bomb in the passenger terminal of Macau International Airport. Upon such notification, the airport declared emergency and the security contingency procedures were activated. This bomb threat exercise was a form of joint training to assess the effectiveness of the security procedures and contingency plans. In addition, it also aimed at emphasizing the vital role played by aviation security personnel in maintaining a safe and efficient operation environment for civil aviation. Coordinated by Public Security Forces, the exercise involved the participation of Unitary Police Force, Macao Customs, Judiciary Police, Fire Services, Security Coordination Office, Civil Aviation Authority, Department of Health, Maritime Administration, CAM-Macau International Airport Company Ltd., Administration of Airports, Ltd., SEMAC-Companhia de Segurança de Macau, Lda., Menzies Macau Airport Services, Air Macau Company Ltd. and so on. About 100 people took part in the exercise. To ensure that Macau International Airport is a safe and secure airport in the world, a security exercise is carried out every year to simulate a serious incident likely to be encountered by security personnel and to assess their capacity in dealing with such emergency.
…

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) was informed by the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Maldives in Hong Kong that holders of the Macao SAR Passports and Travel Permits can obtain visa-on-arrival when visiting the Republic of Maldives. Presently, a total of 76 countries and territories have agreed to grant visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to the Macao SAR Passport holders. While 9 countries have agreed to grant visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to the Macao SAR Travel Permit holders.
…

In view of the enthusiastic responses received from both visitors and locals, Macau Government Tourist Office has decided to introduce additional location and shows for the cultural performances first launched in May. Every Saturday and Sunday from July 7 to August 26, MGTO will stage lion dance and Portuguese folk dance performances at the Ruins of St Paul’s and A-Ma Temple for visitors and citizens to enjoy the unique ambience of Macau’s blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures. A 20-minute performance of lion dance will be staged at A-Ma Temple at 3pm and at the Ruins of St Paul’s at 4pm on Saturdays, while the 20-minute folk dance performance will be staged at the Ruins of St Paul’s at 10:30am and at A-Ma Temple at 11:30am on Sundays to bring Macau’s world heritage to life and enrich the tourism product of Macau. In line with this year’s tourism policies, MGTO will continue to capitalize on cultural heritage resources to develop more tourism products, among which include staging cultural performances at tourist spots for visitors and locals alike. MGTO is employing “Macau: a World of Difference, the Difference is Macau” as the promotional slogan and “Experience Macau!” as the promotional theme for a series of promotions in all the priority, potential and forthcoming markets around the world.
…

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said it was regretable that the United States Government's annual "Trafficking in Persons" report has placed Macao on its 'Tier 2 watch list' for the second consecutive year. "We put high priority on the human trafficking issue in Macao, however, from our point of view, Macao's problem is relatively less serious than many other countries. Certainly there is room for improvement," said the Chief Executive. He said that being a responsible government; a string of measures would be introduced to tackle the problem. "We will regulate relevant legislation, step up the management in exiting and entering a country, and work closely with women associations to provide sufficient assistance for victims." Law enforcement officers will institute prosecutions promptly when they discover evidence of criminal activity, said Mr Ho. He said this issue would not affect the bilateral co-operative relationship, and added that the two governments have been communicating in a friendly atmosphere. Mr Ho also said he has confidence that the situation would have a significant improvement after the stricter measures to be applied soon.
…

With the joint efforts of the Macao SAR Government, Air Macau and the industry people in coordinating with the relevant Japanese government bodies, and the assistance which the Central People’s Government rendered to the process, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Government of Japan issued an administrative permit to Air Macau on 03 July 2007 allowing the latter to operate scheduled services between Macao and Osaka. The granting of the administrative permit signifies the launching of scheduled passenger services between Macao and Japan and further enhances the development of trade, commerce and tourism between the two places. Air Macau will operate the respective flights starting 26 July 2007. The Macao SAR Government anticipates the conclusion of an Air Services Agreement with Japan in the near future so as to establish a legal framework for the development of air transport between the two areas. The SAR Government also welcomes the operation of the Japanese route by Air Macau and hopes that the local airlines will diversify the market and expand the passenger network, helping to make Macao an important air hub in the Pearl River Delta Region. The Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM), while joining the delegation of the SAR government representatives, Air Macau and the industry people to Japan last July, took the opportunity to hold an informal meeting with the Civil Aviation Bureau of Japan. A Record of Discussions was signed by both parties in which they agreed to allow their designated airlines to operate 3 flights a week between Macao and Japan. The destination granted to the designated airline(s) of Macao is limited to Osaka. Despite this, the designated airline(s) of Macao can enter into code sharing arrangements on the connecting domestic segments between Osaka and other points in Japan with any Japanese airline. The granting of the above-mentioned administrative permit is based on the principles set forth in the Record of Discussions. Air Macao will operate 2 flights per week, every Thursday and Sunday, between Macao and Osaka commencing 26 July. The airline is presently in discussion with All Nippon Airways on code sharing between Osaka and other Japanese inland cities. In addition, the airline is also keen at increasing the flights to 3 frequencies per week soon. The initial contact that Macao made with Japan in expressing the wish to establish an air link between the two places can be traced back to 1993. In addition to the numerous contacts made with and invitations sent out to the Japanese side by AACM, the Authority was also supported by the Macao Government (before the handover) and the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) which helped to coordinate with the Japanese Government on this issue. After the establishment of the Macao SAR Government, the same wish was reiterated by the Chief Executive, the SAR government representatives and the industry people to the Japanese side during their visits there. During the course of coordination, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Central People’s Government and CAAC provided continued assistance. Furthermore, to show that there was market demand, Air Macau has operated charter services to Japan from time to time with good results. For example, the airline operated 47 flights to cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Kita Kyushu, Fukui, Kogoshima, Miyazaki, Fukushima, Toyama and Okinawa in 2006. The success of opening up the scheduled services is a result of the long-term endeavours of the Central People’s Government, the Macao SAR Government, Air Macau and the industry people. The operation will also pave a good foundation for the conclusion of a bilateral Air Services Agreement in the future. Japan is a country with strong economy in Asia. Its population of outbound travels is not only enormous but with high consumption power. According to the data of the Statistical and Census Bureau of Macao SAR, the number of Japanese tourists visiting Macao rose from 122,184 in 2004 to 220,190 in 2006, an average of 30% increase every year. In 2006, the Japanese ranked number 4 in the East Asia market of Macao’s tourism. On the other hand, Japan possesses rich tourism resources and is a popular tourist destination for the Macao residents. Ever since the gaming industry in Macao has been liberalized, the local economy has been facing favourable growth, stimulating the residents to travel outbound. With the operation of the scheduled flights between Macao and Japan, the tourism market between the two places can further be enhanced. The aviation industry in Macao depended heavily on the Taiwan market in the past. With the success of the Macau International Airport in attracting low cost carriers and the efforts of the local carriers in expanding their network, the passenger market distribution has gradually changed. In 2000, the Taiwanese occupied 68% of the passenger market. The percentage decreased to 51% in 2006. The number of passenger destinations in Asia, excluding points in mainland China and Taiwan, increased from 5 in 2004 (Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul and Singapore) to 9 in the present moment (additional: Clark, Jakarta, Male and Kota Kinabalu). Furthermore, AirAsia will operate a new route between Johor Bahru and Macao in the coming August. As of May 2007, the passenger market share was as follows: Taiwan 47.1%, mainland China 29.1%, other Asian markets 21.8% and markets out of Asia 2%. The opening up of the Japan market will further help Macao to come out from single market specialization to market diversification. The implementation of the individual traveling scheme by the mainland in Macao has led to an immense increase in the number of tourists visiting the city. To cope with the demand of the air transport market in the future, AACM reviews the Air Services Agreements from time to time and will initiate discussions with the other aeronautical authorities to create a more liberal environment. For example, AACM met with the aeronautical authorities of Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam respectively in September 2004, April 2006 and August 2006 to renew the respective Memoranda of Understanding. The new Memoranda have established more liberal conditions for developing the air transport markets between Macao and these places. Apart from Japan, according to the need of our aviation market and the requests from the other countries, AACM also plans to renew the Memoranda of Understanding with Indonesia and the Philippines and conclude the Air services Agreements with Angola, Egypt, Italy, Mexico and Qatar in the near future. Up till the present, Macao has initialed 45 Air Services Agreements with other countries, of which 39 have been officially signed. The details are as follows: Country Number Asia and Pacific Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia*, Israel*, Lao* 21 Middle East United Arabs Emirates, Oman* 2 Europe Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Greece*, Slovak Republic* 19 Africa South Africa 1 Americas Brazil, USA 2 Total 45 Note: * pending for official signing
…

Macao and the Mainland today signed Supplement IV to the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), offering yet more favourable terms to Macao's businesses conducting trade in services on the Mainland. The pact was signed by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, and the Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr Liao Xiaoqi, at Government Headquarters, after representatives of the two sides attended the sixth meeting of the Joint Steering Committee of CEPA between the Mainland and Macao. The supplementary pact allowed Macao's services providers to enter 11 areas of trade in services on the Mainland, including management consultation, photography, printing, social services, translation and interpretation. Moreover, more liberalisation measures for 17 areas of trade in services were introduced. These areas included legal, construction, convention and exhibition, audiovisual, distribution, tourism and transport. The Supplement IV would further promote the diversification of Macao's industrial portfolio, Mr Tam, said after the signing ceremomy. CEPA was introduced in 2003, followed by the signing of three supplements to the agreement in the past three years. Today's signing ceremony was witnessed by the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Chen Zuoer, and the Director of Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Bai Zhijian, and many other officials and guests.
…

Macao and Shanghai will further step up collaboration in studying the prevention and treatment of tumour, exchanging information on latest infectious diseases, and enhancing specialists training. A statement issued by the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture said the Secretary, Mr Chui Sai On, led an official delegation to Shanghai on 27 June and that members were mainly from the health sector. During the visit, Mr Chui met with officials from the Shanghai Health Department and discussed several issues, including the recuitment of specialists from Shanghai who will also help train Macao medical professionals. Both parties agreed to establish a mechanism to further work out the collaboration. The statement said the Macao delegation also visited Shanghai’s main health facilities.
…

Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau Special Administrative Region, Chui Sai On and Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal Government, Yao Mingbao presided at the opening ceremony of the “Experience Macau” roadshow held by Macau Government Tourist Office in Shanghai on June 30. Following the “Shanghai - Macau Trade Mini-mart” and the “Shanghai - Macau Tourism Forum” held June 29 in Shanghai, MGTO hosted the opening ceremony of the “Experience Macau” roadshow at the Brilliance Shimao International Plaza on June 30, officiated by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Chui Sai On, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal Government Yao Mingbao, Chief of Office for the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam and Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes. With the objective of promoting the image of Macau as a unique cultural destination to the Shanghai citizens, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has initiated a series of promotional activities for the two-day “Experience Macau” roadshow, featuring Portuguese folkdances, lion dances, music and magic performances as well as quiz with prizes. The 5 Tourism Ambassadors “Friendly, “Helpful, “”Smiling”, “Polite” and “Knowledge” also greeted the Shanghai citizens with performances and Macau snacks, showing not only characteristics of the unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures, but also the hospitality of Macau to the Shanghai citizens. To highlight Macau’s invaluable world heritage – “The Historic Center of Macau” and its colorful festivities, MGTO has set up a huge replica of A-Ma Temple and decorated the stage with a large replica of the Ruins of St Paul’s in addition to other panels showcasing pictures of Macau’s world heritage sites and festive events at the plaza. MGTO also joined with 20 hotels, travel agents, airlines and convention and exhibition industry representatives to set up information booths at the roadshow to provide the latest tourism information to the Shanghai citizens. As the “Experience Macau” roadshow is held at the Nanjing Road, a famous tourist attraction in Shanghai, visitors from other Mainland cities and around the world visiting Shanghai also had the opportunity to experience the unique tourism features of Macau.
…