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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said today Macao would grasp opportunities that have emerged in the current global financial turmoil. Mr Ho made this remark when he paid a courtesy call on the Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Mr Wang Yang, in Guangzhou this afternoon. Mr Ho said Macao had not suffered much during the crisis, and that Macao should grasp the opportunities that emerged during this time. Mr Wang, who was also a Politburo member of CPC Central Committee, said that Guangdong and Macao should work together amid the financial crisis and try to expand their economies. He also thanked Macao’s support to the motherland when it suffered after a massive snowstorm last January. Mr Wang hosted a reception for Mr Ho and some members of Mr Ho’s delegation, including the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, and the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io. Before the courtesy call, Mr Ho visited Ancient Nanfeng Kiln and Zumiao in Foshan and met the city’s officials. Mr Ho is scheduled to attend Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference 2008 in Zhuhai tomorrow.
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The 34th National Congress of the Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies (APAVT) continued today in Macau with a debate on the new image campaign “Portugal, Europe’s West Coast” in the morning and the afternoon was reserved to discuss the challenges faced by the air transportation industry. Former President of Portugal, Dr. Jorge Sampaio, the invited keynote speaker for the morning panel, opened the session under the topic of Portugal’s new image branding. Sampaio gave his opinion on what it takes to build a successful country branding. He highlighted how important image building is to correct misperceptions and convey values of a country or region. Sampaio also pointed out the need fOR coordination of efforts between the public and private sectors for a successful result. Sampaio’s keynote was followed by a presentation on Portugal’s new image promotional campaign “Portugal, Europe’s West Coast”, by BBDO Portugal vice-president, Pedro Bidarra, the company which created the campaign. A debate on Portugal’s branding as a tourism destination followed the presentations. The discussion was joined by the Chairman of Turismo de Portugal, Luís Patrão, administrator of MM&Company, David Marks, chief executive officer of TUI Event Management Portugal, Duarte Correia, former Portugal Minister for Tourism, Telmo Correia, and former Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism, Vítor Neto. Well-known Portuguese journalist Sérgio Figueiredo moderated the debate. The working session in the afternoon discussed the topic “Air Transportation: Realities and Challenges”. Former Portuguese Secretary of State and TAP representative in Air Macau Luís Correia da Silva was the key speaker of the session. He spoke in detail about the challenges that airlines face in the leisure travel segment under the current recession scenery. Afterwards, Correia da Silva joined a debate which had among its participants Aer Lingus sales manager, Aisling Lyons, Galileo Portugal chief executive officer, António Loureiro, SATA chief executive officer, António Menezes, ANA chief executive officer, Guilhermino Rodrigues and TAP vice-president, Luiz Mór. The discussion was moderated by Top Atlântico Madeira administrator, João Welsh. The five-day long event, which opened on Sunday, closes this coming Thursday. The hosting of the APAVT Congress in Macau reinforces MGTO’s promotional strategy to show the new Macau to Portuguese tour operators, and attract more visitors from Portugal to Macau, especially for the celebrations next year of the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Macau SAR. Macau has also been invited to be the “International Guest Destination” at the Lisbon Travel Market 2009 to be held next January. The National Congress of APAVT is a main highlight in the annual agenda of the Portuguese tourism industry. APAVT is the most representative association of Portuguese tourism, and since its foundation in 1950, has played a fundamental role in the development of tourism in Portugal. This is the fourth time that APAVT has chosen Macau to host its annual national congress, after 1982, 1990 and 1996, and the first after the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, will lead an official delegation to attend the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference 2008 in Zhuhai on Thursday. Mr Ho will pay a courtesy call on the Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Mr Wang Yang, in Guangzhou tomorrow afternoon, after visiting sites of cultural industry in Foshan. Mr Ho’s delegation will include the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen; the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io, and the Chief of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Ho Veng On. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, will be Acting Chief Executive while Mr Ho is away.
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Three Macao residents are still stranded in Thailand after the Macao Government brought 173 residents home on a chartered flight last Saturday. The Outbound Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCTE) would keep close contact with airlines and look for seats for the Macao residents still in Thailand. To date the Office received 151 enquiries, two of which were new cases and the others follow-up cases. Those who know of any Macao residents still stranded in Thailand or need assistance may call GGCTE’s hotlines: 081-8041788 or 081-7925107 (calling in Thailand), or (66) 81-8041788 or (66) 81-7925107 (overseas calls), from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Thai local time). Residents may also call the round-the-clock hotline (2833 3000) operated by the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) for help. GGCTE would continue to monitor the situation in Thailand and provide necessary assistance to Macao’s residents in Thailand.
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The Macao SAR Government today confirmed that there were five Macao residents still stranded in Thailand, Two of them will be flying off Thailand this evening. The Outbound Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCTE) is inquiring if other airlines have seats available for them to leave Thailand. GGCTE will continue to follow up on their situation in Thailand and provide all practical assistance. Up to 19:30, 1 December, GGCTE received 147 inquiries, mainly follow up inquiries. The hotlines under GGCTE are available for those in need of assistance. Those who know any Macao residents who are still stranded in Thailand and need assistance can call 081-8041788 or 081-7925107 in Thailand or (66) 81-8041788 or (66) 81-7925107 from overseas from 10 am to 10 pm (Thai local time); or MGTO’s 24-hour hotline at 2833 3000.
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Forum and Workshop of the 34th National Congress of The Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies (APAVT) held today (Dec 1) at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center. The Forum of the Congress, under the theme “Tourism: New Markets, New Opportunities”, has invited President of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Jean-Claude Baumgarten as keynote speaker and former CNN presenter Lorraine Hahn as moderator. Other speakers included Peter Villax , Managing Director of Hovione, Yao Yuecan, Chairman of the Board of CITS Limited, Head Office and Pansy Ho, Managing Director of Shun Tak Holdings Limited and MGM Grand Paradise Limited. The panel of the Forum discussed new market opportunities, and Baumgarten referred the potential of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) and added that the Gulf is another potential region to watch. He also highlighted the need for a close partnership between public and private sector. Both Yao Yuecan and Pansy Ho pointed out that Macau can be a platform to help showcase Portugal to attract more Chinese visitors to Portugal. Pansy Ho also suggested the Portuguese travel industry to create a presence in Macau. Yao put forward the idea of multi-destination itineraries associating Portugal with other European countries, as well as the need to build a destination brand for Portugal among Chinese consumers. Peter Villax offered some insights as to how to work with the Chinese market, highlighting that the effort has to be sustained to achieve results in the medium term. He also added that a well thought out strategy is necessary before entering a new market. The Workshop for tourism presentations of Mainland China, Portugal and Macau was also held this afternoon. Chairman of the Board of CITS Limited, Yao Yuecan, General Director, Tourism Promotion Division of Turismo de Portugal, António Padeira and Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, João Manuel Costa Antunes introduced the tourism situation and products of each destination respectively. The workshop was followed by a travel mart between Portuguese tour operators and their Macau and Mainland China counterparts. About 100 travel trade from over 70 toursim related entities took part in the travel mart. The hosting of the APAVT Congress in Macau reinforces MGTO’s promotional strategy to show the new Macau to Portuguese tour operators, and attract more visitors from Portugal to Macau, especially for the celebrations next year of the tenth anniversary of the establisment of the Macau SAR. Macau has also been invited to be the “International Guest Destination” at the Lisbon Travel Market 2009 to be held next January to promote Macau. The National Congress of APAVT is a main highlight in the annual agenda of the Portuguese tourism industry. APAVT is the most representative association of Portuguese tourism, and since its foundation in 1950, has played a fundamental role in the development of tourism in Portugal. This is the fourth time that APAVT has chosen Macau to host its annual national congress, after 1982, 1990 and 1996, and the first after the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region.
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The Portuguese-language edition of Macao Yearbook 2008, an annual publication compiled and edited by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) of the Macao SAR, will hit the shelf on 2 December 2008. The Macao Yearbook outlines major events, progress and changes made in the course of Macao’s political, economic, social and cultural development on a yearly and systematic basis. It provides detailed and up-to-date information for all who wish to study and understand the territory. The Macao Yearbook has been published since 2002, and it is available in three languages, namely Chinese, Portuguese and English. Comprising 178 photographs, the Macao Yearbook 2008 is divided into five sections: Administrative Priorities of the MSAR Government; Calendar of Events; Review of the MSAR; Overview of the MSAR; and Appendices. Consisting of 16 chapters, the Overview of the MSAR presents information on the political and administrative system; legal and judicial system; external relations; economy; gaming industry; tourism; public order; education; culture and sport; health and social welfare; media, communications and information technology; land, infrastructure, housing and public utilities; transport; geography, environment and population; religion and customs; and history. Meanwhile in order to trace Macao’s changes in a visual manner, the GCS co-organised a photographic competition entitled “New Faces of Macao” with eight local photography organisations and four media groups in early 2008. The Macao Yearbook 2008 has been enriched by more than 10 winning entries from the competition. A photo entitled “Flags Flying on a Joyful Occasion” taken by Lou Ka Wai, which has won “Yearbook Cover Award” in the competition, has been selected as yearbook cover picture. This is the first time this award is presented in the photographic competition. The 702-page Portuguese-language edition of the Macao Yearbook 2008, together with a complimentary CD-ROM, can be purchased at the following places at 120 patacas or 120 Hong Kong dollars per copy: major local bookstores; the Macao Post Office (Macao Post)’s Philatelic Division, Rua do Campo Branch, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal Branch, Macau International Airport Branch, and Nova Taipa Branch; Government Printing Bureau; and the Government’s Public Information Centre at Rua do Campo. The English edition of the Macao Yearbook 2008 is in the process of printing, and will be available for sale shortly.
During the promotion period lasting until 31 March 2009, a 20-percent discount will be offered to any purchase of the Portuguese-language edition of the Macao Yearbook 2008.
Those who have bought the Chinese-language edition of the Macao Yearbook 2008 may redeem a complimentary CD-ROM with their receipts at their place of purchase starting from 2 December.
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According to the results of the Employment Survey released by the Statistics and Census Service, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate for August-October 2008 held stable at 3.1% and 1.5% respectively from the previous period (July-September 2008), but up by 0.1 and 0.3 percentage point year-on-year. Total labour force was 338,800 in August-October 2008; labour force participation rate stood at 70.6%, down by 0.1 percentage point over the previous period, but up by 0.3 percentage point year-on-year. The employed population increased by 1,600 over the previous period to 328,400, with increase in the number of persons working in Recreational, Cultural, Gaming & Other Service, but decrease in that working in the Manufacturing Sector and Real Estate & Business Activities. The unemployed population was 10,400, a decrease of 100 from the previous period, with 2,500 (23.7% of the total) searching for their first job, down by 0.9 percentage point over the previous period.
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In light of the current situation in Thailand and closure of airports in Bangkok, Macau Government Tourist Office is in close liaison with Outbound Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCTE) to monitor the development of events. Macau residents or visitors who need assistance can call MGTO’s hotline at 2833 3000 or hotlines of MGTO's representative in Bangkok at (66) 81-8041788 or (66) 81-7925107 from overseas or 081-8041788 or 081-7925107 in Thailand. All hotlines operate on 24-hour basis. They can also call the Chinese Embassy in Thailand at (66) 818214771 or (66) 819840658. Till November 27, MGTO has received one request for assistance and GGCTE has received several inquiries from the residents stranded in Thailand. MGTO and GGCTE have also been in close contact with the travel trade for information on groups touring in Thailand. There are currently six Macau tour groups (totaling 104 persons) in Thailand. Among which, two groups (totaling 31 persons) scheduled to return to Macau yesterday (November 26) were stranded in Bangkok. The concerned travel agencies have made accommodation arrangements for the tour participants. The other tour groups are continuing their travel itineraries in Thailand. Meanwhile, three originally scheduled tour groups to Thailand have been cancelled while the departure of four groups has been delayed. Information as to when the airports in Bangkok will reopen is not yet available. Considering the possible continuation of the current state of affairs, travelers to Thailand are advised to keep themselves abreast of the situation there and contact the airlines in Macau (Air Macau at 83965555, Air Asia at 28861388, Bangkok Airways at 28889923 or 28889924) about the situation of flights and airports in Bangkok.
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The Macao SAR Government is talking with Air Macao to send Charter flight to take back Macao residents stranded in Thailand. The Outbound Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCTE) this evening commenced contingency procedures to discuss plans to assist Macao residents stranded in Thailand, including sending charter flight to take them back to Macao. The office was talking with Air Macau about the arrangement. The Macao SAR Government urged those who know any Macao residents currently travelling in Thailand to inform their stranded acquaintance to call the hotline and arrange their return to Macao. Macau residents or visitors who need assistance can call MGTO’s hotline at 2833 3000 or hotlines of MGTO's representative in Bangkok at (66) 81-8041788 or (66) 81-7925107 from overseas or 081-8041788 or 081-7925107 in Thailand. All hotlines operate on 24-hour basis. They can also call the Chinese Embassy in Thailand at (66) 818214771 or (66) 819840658. The Outbound Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCTE) is closely monitoring the development of events. The office had received four inquiries up to midnight, November 27.
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