News

Macao has reported its second death due to the Influenza A (H1N1) virus -- a 72-year-old man who passed away yesterday evening due with multiple organs failure. The man, a smoker of more than 50 years, who had chronic obstructive pulmonary emphysema and rickets, was admitted to Kiang Wu Hospital on 9 October after he was tested positive for the virus. He was in a critical condition and was transferred to Hospital Conde S. Januário on 15 October after his respiratory organs failed. The Health Bureau urged people showing flu symptoms such as fever and cough to seek medical attention immediately. People with chronic diseases, serious illnesses or are pregnant should pay special attention to their health. Macao’s pandemic alert remained at Level VI, Blue, meaning that the spread of the virus was moderate.
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The “Portuguese Speaking Countries-Fujian-Macao Trade and Economic Co-operation Seminar and Presentation on Fujian Electronic Products” will be held at 2:30 p.m. on 21 October, in the Macao Business Support Center (MBSC), 19th floor China Civil Plaza (Alameda Dr. Carlos d’Assumpção No 263). The Seminar is organised by Fujian Macau Economic Co-operation Promotion Committee, Fujian Provincial Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation, Fujian Provincial Economic and Trade Commission and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), and co-organised by International Lusophone Markets Business Association, Portuguese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Macau Chamber of Industry and Commerce Brazil-China and the São Paulo Chamber of Commerce. It is aimed to broaden the economic and trade co-operation between Fujian, Macao and Portuguese by utilizing the business service platform of Macao. High-ranking government official of the Macao SAR and Vice Governor of Fujian Province, Mr. Ye Shuangyu, will be the officiating guests of the Seminar. A presentation on Fujian electronic and machinery products will be given by the leaders of trade and economic departments/chambers of commerce in Fujian Province, three senior representatives of the trade and economic departments, chambers of commerce in Brazil, Portugal and Guinea-Bissau will deliver speeches about the resources, investment and trade demands in these countries. In addition, representatives from International Lusophone Markets Business Association will also introduce the strengths and functions of Macao’s intermediary service. Business-matching session for enterprises will be organised after the Seminar to further strengthen the acquaintance and liaison between Portuguese-speaking countries and Fujian Province. The Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) will be attended by officials from government in various regions, representatives of business associations and economic promotion organisations in Macao and overseas countries (especially Portuguese-speaking countries) as well as entrepreneurs from industrial and business sectors in the Mainland, Macao and overseas countries. The “Portuguese Speaking Countries-Fujian-Macao Trade and Economic Co-operation Seminar and Presentation on Fujian Electronic Products” is one of the major events of the 14th MIF, representatives from local and overseas business communities are welcomed to attend this Seminar. Simultaneous interpretation service is available in Putonghua, Cantonese, English and Portuguese. For registration, please contact Ms. Kuok of Research and Information Division of IPIM on 87989127, fax: 28728208, email: winnievai@ipim.gov.mo. End
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The “Macao International Trade and Investment Fair” (MIF) is the largest annual international event in Macao for promoting bilateral trade and investment. In this year’s MIF, we will have more than 200 delegations from 50 countries and regions to participate. Having the regional cooperation advantages, Macao plays a major role as a connection between mainland China, Portuguese speaking countries and international business community through exhibitions, project matching sessions, investment negotiation and proposing cooperation agreements, to achieve the integration of funds, resources, markets and technologies and to promote multi-industrial developments at a greater extend. To encourage SMEs to take full advantage of the business opportunities presented in the MIF international platform, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) will hold the “SME International Business Days” (23/10/2009 – 24/10/2009) during the 14th MIF. IPIM will also make its debut exposure on the New E-Commerce Services Platform, to encourage and assist SMEs in applying e-commerce in their operations. Furthermore, apart from series of county presentations, products and services promotion seminars, matching and enquiry services, franchising pavilion, SME Pavilion will also feature exhibits on creative industries this year. These elements work in line to realize Macau as the regional business tourism, convention and leisure centre, while highlighting the slogan of SME Service Centre – “Take Service as a fundamental and SME as a Priority”. Connecting international business opportunities “SME International Business Days” (SME Day) comprises a number of themed events to assist SMEs to explore business opportunities in the 14th MIF. Organizers of themed events include business associations and institutions from Macao, a number of Chinese provinces and regions, the EU and its member States, Portuguese speaking countries, Latin America and Asia-Pacific Region. The two-day event comprises six components: (1) E-Commerce Services Platform Series; (2) Franchise Business Cooperation; (3) Business Matching Session; (4) Introduction to International Market Opportunities; (5) Macao SME Products/Services Exhibition and (6) Professional Consulting Services. The Highlights – E-Commerce Services Platform and Franchising Business Opportunities To help SMEs explore new business strategies and future development trends of E-Commerce, one of the highlights of the SME Day will be the promotion of E-Commerce Platform for SMEs to open up new business horizons. This includes forums organized by Online E-Business Platform Service Providers, to foster SMEs to apply and utilize e-commerce in the business arena. Another highlight will be franchising business opportunities. Apart from the “Franchise Pavilion” which showcases international brands from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the US, Brazil and other regions, an exchange activity sharing titled “Franchise Experience Sharing Section” will gather experts and entrepreneurs in the franchising field to share on brand development. “Seminars on International Business Opportunities” - Gateway to China and Venturing Abroad This series aims to deliver SMEs the latest information on trade and investment in global markets; on individual industrial sectors and on special incentives. Through the events organized by trade promotion organizations/ consulate offices from various countries and regions, including Henan and Heilongjiang Provinces, Inner Mongolia, Portuguese-speaking countries, Latin America, France, Australia, Vietnam, etc, the series will enhance SMEs’ knowledge about the global industry and investment environment. Business Matching Sessions
Business matching sessions provide opportunities for SMEs to meet with international business delegations with over 1900 potential business projects from different parts of the world (including procurement, supplies, franchising and chain operations and investment projects). This year, there will be themed matching sessions to accommodate for the specific needs of buyers and enterprises searching for partnership opportunities, including the US environmental industry, Australian ICT services, Portuguese-speaking countries, Fujian and Heilongjiang Provinces, international brands, Wine & Gourmet exhibitors, Chinese medicine and equipment enterprises and wine traders, etc. Real-time Professional Consultancy Services
There will be “One-Stop Service” Enquiry on Macau and international markets, Mainland China and Macao legal advisory, CEPA consulting services at the “Buyer’s corner and Business Matching Area”. Concurrently, SME Service Centre Gala Catalogue Show, featuring products and services information from Thailand, Indonesia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Canada, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the Philippines and Malaysia will take place at “Buyer’s corner and Business Matching Area” (Exhibition Centre Hall B). SME Products/Services Promotion
“Macao SME Exhibition”, organized by the Macao Chamber of Commerce and IPIM, will assist Macau SMEs to promote their products and services. With over 140 booths involving industries such as food & grocery, agricultural products, clothing, electronics, tourism, equipment, accessories and environmental protection, “Macao SME Exhibition” located at Exhibition Centre Hall A will be opened from October 22 to October 25. The “Product/Services Pavilion” at the centre of the Exhibition creates the best arena for SMEs to promote their businesses. The Launch of the “SME International Business Days” will be held at 3 pm at Sicily Room of The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, held concurrently with “International Trade and Investment Forum 2009”. We cordially invite interested parties to participate. For more details, please visit our website at www.mif.com.mo or contact SME Service Centre (SMEC) enquiry hotline: 2872 8212
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Deputy Director of Macau Government Tourist Office Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes unveiled the “Experience Macau Festival” held at the famous landmark Taipei 101 in Taiwan today (Oct 17). Taiwan residents and tourists visiting Taipei 101 Mall will find iconic Ruins of St Paul’s, Senado Square and other Macau world heritage sites in miniature. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the “Experience Macau Festival”, Helena Fernandes expressed that Taiwan continues to be Macau’s third major source market and though the direct cross straits flights have led to a drop in Taiwan visitors to Macau, overnight guests are on the rise and this new trend will bring opportunities to the travel trade. “There were 980,000 visitors from Taiwan in 1999 and last year, Macau welcomed 1.3 million visitors from Taiwan; while Taiwan overnight guests in hotels surpassed 235,000 in 2008. These achievements would not be possible without the support of the travel trade of Macau and Taiwan,” she added. In addition to the unique replicas, a series of performances including traditional Cantonese Opera, acrobatics, Portuguese folk dances, accordion and Jazz singer from Macau will bring a mixture of Macau’s Eastern and Western cultures to the city. Visitors to the festival can also enjoy games, Portuguese egg tarts and obtain tourism information of Macau. A Gala Dinner was held last night (Oct 16) for the travel trade and media of Taiwan and awards were conferred to three airlines and 9 travel agents to acknowledge their contributions in promoting Macau’s tourism in Taiwan. About 200 guests to the Gala Dinner were treated to a feast of Chinese and Portuguese performances that highlighted the diverse cultures and tourism characteristics that Macau has to offer. Taiwan is Macau's third largest visitor source market, and there are currently more than 270 flights between Macau and Taiwan every week.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that a total of 86 hotels and similar establishments were in operation in 2008, an increase of 4 establishments from 2007, consisting of 55 hotels and 31 guest-houses. In view of the opening of 3 large-scale hotels in 2008, total number of guest rooms increased by 8.9% from 16,152 in 2007 to 17,586 in 2008. At the end of 2008, the hotel sector had 26,233 persons engaged, up by 12.2% from a year earlier, with 26,082 (99.4% of total) working in hotels and the 31 guest-houses engaging just 151 workers. Total Receipts of the hotel sector surged by 49.1% year-on-year to MOP 10.39 billion in 2008, which was spurred by an upsurge of 85.3% of receipt from room sales of 5-star hotels. Analyzed by items, Receipts from Room Sales reached MOP 4.58 billion (44.0% of total), with Sales of Food & Beverages (MOP 2.31 billion) and Rent Received (MOP 1.89 billion) accounting for 40.4%. Attributable to an upsurge of the non-operational expenses, namely Depreciation of Fixed Assets (MOP 2.70 billion) and Interest Paid (MOP 1.49 billion), Total Expenditure of the sector increased by 49.7% over 2007 to MOP 14.06 billion; meanwhile, Operating Expenses, Compensation of Employees, as well as Purchase of Goods & Commission Paid amounted to MOP 4.69 billion, MOP 3.85 billion and MOP 1.33 billion respectively. In addition, Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy soared by 84.4% from 2007 to MOP 4.39 billion upon rising Sales & Other Receipts; Gross Fixed Capital Formation amounted to MOP 7.37 billion, down by 48.2% year-on-year.
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The Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) participated in the “46th Conference of Directors-General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions (DGCA)” which was held in Osaka, Japan, from 12 to 16 October 2009. The theme topic for this year was “Seamless Sky: Bringing Together the Asia/Pacific Regions”. In order to aim for the safe and orderly development of aviation in the Asia and Pacific Regions, the participating member States and Administrations as well as international organizations held a productive discussion and issued the “Kansai Statement” stating that cooperation between member States and Administrations will be enhanced for harmonization of air traffic management, aviation security and aviation safety. AACM presented 6 information papers in the Conference to report the development of the new communication/navigation/surveillance system, aviation security, air transport, regional cooperation and so on. In addition, AACM set up an exhibition booth at the Conference venue to promote Macao’s tourism and air transport for the hosting of the 47th DGCA in Macao in 2010. The five-day Conference reviewed the action items arising from the 45th Conference and discussed the papers presented by the member States and Administrations, and international organizations on six main agenda items: 1. Air Navigation Planning and Implementation, 2. Communication/Navigation/Surveillance and Air Traffic Management Implementation Activities, 3. Aviation Safety, 4. Aviation Security 5. Air Transport, and 6. Technical and Regional Cooperation. In his opening remarks, the President of the Council of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Mr. Roberto Kobeh González, said that the key to success is cooperation. He therefore urged for cooperation between all parts for a truly global air navigation system and requested member States and Administrations to render support to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in promoting harmonization of air traffic management. During the discussions, the participants recognized that as civil aviation develops and globalization progresses, harmonization in civil aviation activities is becoming critically important in order that the whole network will be secured at the agreed level and transparent and interoperable standards will be set among States and regions. In this regard, a seamless sky is therefore particularly important in the areas of air traffic management, aviation security and aviation safety. For this reason, the participants reached consensus on further cooperation and jointly issued the “Kansai Statement” with content as follows: in the aspect of air traffic management, the member States and Administrations agreed that the Asia Pacific Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group will be the starting platform to discuss and plan the future air traffic management system of the Region including targets and a time schedule; in the aspect of aviation security, the member States and Administrations agreed that taking into account the need to protect the entire cargo supply chain, further sharing of information and best practices should be promoted, and inclusion of the provisions on air cargo security into Annex 17 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) will be considered; in the aspect of aviation safety, recognizing the importance of ensuring that air operators establish and maintain the highest standards in safety through proper implementation of Safety Management System, and the importance of safety monitoring activities of foreign aircraft in the Region, the member States and Administrations agreed to further enhance the cooperation in these efforts and activities in the Region in a harmonized manner. In addition to issuing the above joint statement, in view of the fact that there is diversity and differing stages of development and aviation infrastructure in the Asia and Pacific Regions, the participating member States and Administrations of the 46th DGCA held the “Multilateral Meeting for Enhanced Cooperation (MMEC)” to discuss how cooperation among themselves and communication with ICAO can further be enhanced. The discussions concluded that the DGCA will be the cooperation platform for such desire; that the host State or Administration will be the coordinator on a one-year term to coordinate with the other member States and Administrations, ICAO Asia and Pacific Regional Office and the Montreal Group (composed by Asia and Pacific member States and Administrations) on facilitation of technical and operational matters of mutual concern and interests relating to the Region with the aim of seeking inputs from States for ICAO Council discussions. AACM presented 6 papers in the Conference, 5 of which were information papers giving reports of the following areas:
n To enhance aviation safety, a new communication/navigation/surveillance system will be installed in the Macau International Airport. The testing of the different parts will start successively by the end of 2009; n To increase the level of security management, Macao implemented the new Civil Aviation Security Programme and the Civil Aviation Security Quality Control Programme in the first quarter of 2009;
n To respond to the growing concern of human factors in civil aviation operations, AACM deployed the “Threat Image Projection” technology for carry-on baggage screening at Macau International Airport to allow a more reliable and accurate identification of the screener’s performance;
n The low cost carrier operations have been introduced into Macao in 2004. Since then, the number of tourists has increased and the passenger profile has been diversified, reducing the dependence of Macao as a transit point between the cross straits and realizing Macao as a tourist destination;
n The aeronautical authorities of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao signed cooperation arrangements on mutual acceptance of maintenance organizations and mutual acceptance of airworthiness certification, reducing the economic burden of the industry as well as the time for administrative operations. The three parties will cooperate with each other on maintenance training organization acceptance and aircraft maintenance engineer licensing in the future. In addition to the above information papers, AACM presented a discussion paper on the theme topic for the 47th DGCA. In view of the recent challenges faced by the aviation industry worldwide and the global forecast of the recovery to be in 2010, AACM proposed “Through the Turbulence, Working Together for the Recovery and Enhanced Development of Aviation” as the theme topic for next year, which was supported by the participants and adopted by the Conference. The Conference was attended by 35 member States and Administrations and 6 international organizations, with approximately 250 delegates. The DGCA, Asia and Pacific Regions is a high level governmental conference of aviation the Region which is convened every year and participated by the directors-general and government officials of the aeronautical authorities and representatives from international organizations. The conference is organized by the member State or Administration who proposes their candidacy to ICAO. To cope with the direction of the SAR government in building up Macao as an Asian convention and exhibition centre, AACM nominated Macao to host the 47th DGCA and was awarded. For this reason, the Authority set up an exhibition booth at the conference venue to promote Macao’s tourism and aviation to the participants for hosting the 47th DGCA.
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On the eve of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) 2009 in Istanbul, Turkey, the 19th Meeting of Governors of Central Banks from African Portuguese Speaking Countries and East Timor was held on 29 September 2009 in Lisbon, Portugal. At the invitation of the Governor, Mr. Vítor Constâncio, of the Bank of Portugal, Mr. Anselmo Teng , chairman of the Board of Directors of the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM), attended the meeting and delivered a Keynote Speech entitled “The Economic and Financial Development of Macao in the Context of Growth of China”. The meeting was organized and hosted by the Bank o f Portugal. Governors and their representatives of Central Banks from African Portuguese Speaking Countries and East Timor, who would participate in the IMF/WB Annual Meetings, took part in the meeting. Practitioners of the economic and financial sectors of Lisbon also attended the meeting. The Governors, apart from introducing the latest economic and financial situations of their respective countries, also discussed about the prospects of global economic and financial development, as well as regulatory reform against the background of the financial tsunami. In addition, there were also proactive discussions on how to make better use of Macao as trade services platform to strengthen the economic and financial ties between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries. In his keynote speech, Anselmo Teng first briefed the participants with the latest economic and financial situation in China. Based on available information and statistical data, there is a general concensus that China would be the first economy to see “green shoots” after the devastating financial tsunami. He then introduced the updated economic and financial development in Macao. Moreover, Anselmo Teng also took the opportunity to introduce the main contents of “The Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (2008-2020) (the “Outline”)” released by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China in December 2008, and Macao’s positioning and development direction in the “Outline”. At the same time, Anselmo Teng emphasized that, as a Special Administrative Region of China and the legacy arising from its historical connections with Portuguese Speaking countries, Macao has been trying to develop as the trade services platform between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries. Finally, he pointed out that the financial tsunami did bring certain impact on the real economy of Macao. Benefitting from the large scale stimulus packages on the Mainland and the support from the Central Government, Macao’s economy has started to show signs of recovery since the negative growth in the fourth quarter of 2008. Macao hopefully will experience further economic development. During the event, there were intensive discussions on the above-mentioned topics. The participants also showed great interests in and are full of confidence on both fostering trade and financial ties with China, as well as Macao’s future development and opportunities. Macao’s role as the service platform will be further enhanced in the future. It is advisable that the relevant sectors from overseas and Macao should grasp the opportunities ahead. For details of the speech, please visit AMCM website: www.amcm.gov.mo.
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Macau Government Tourist Office representative in Australia hosted a vibrant and exciting promotion at Martin Place in Sydney this week to promote Macau and also to mark the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Macau SAR. The event at Sydney city center, which opened on Monday, saw over 20,000 people who visited the colourful display replicating the Senado Square area, to learn about Macau. Volunteers from the Casa de Macau community group and the Macau Students Association, who joined the weeklong promotion, spoke with visitors and handed out tourism information. The event featured an array of performers including the entertaining Portuguese dancers from ‘Aldeias de Portugal’, music by Son Veneno, face painting, caricature and racing simulators which offered visitors a chance to experience the dynamic Macau formula 3 Grand Prix racing track. Macau, A City of Festivals and Events will continue at Martin Place until Friday 16th October. MGTO also organized “a night at Senado Square in Sydney” on Monday. At a dinner decorated with a backdrop of Senado Square, travel agents, travel media and MICE industry representatives and other guests were treated to Macanese cuisine and an exciting promotional program about Macau. Special guests included Consul General of the People’s Republic of China Hu Shan, as well as Consul General of Portugal Simeão Pinto de Mesquita. Guests also had the chance to enjoy a dynamic performance from Andrew Chan, a Macau percussionist currently completing his study in Sydney Conservatorium of Music. The Macau tourism industry representatives participating in the event are from Turbojet, Westin Resort Macau, Viva Macau Airlines, Macau.com, StarWorld Hotel, Grand Emperor Hotel and Grand Lapa Hotel. The delegation is led by MGTO Marketing Division head, Betty Fok. Before Sydney, MGTO staged last week an “Experience Macau Celebrations!” promotion for Australian travel trade in Melbourne.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the third quarter of 2009 rose by 2.76% year-on-year to 147.67. The price indices of Miscellaneous Goods and Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco increased notably by 8.89% and 5.68% respectively, which was attributable to dearer prices of jewellery led by rising gold prices, general increase of food prices and higher prices of cigarettes. On the contrary, price indices of Clothing & Footwear and Transport & Communications registered year-on-year decreases of 3.25% and 2.34% respectively. The third quarter TPI went up by 1.08% quarter-to-quarter, of which the price index of Clothing & Footwear increased by 6.45%, on account of higher prices for new arrivals of men’s and ladies’ clothing. Meanwhile, price indices of Miscellaneous Goods and Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco rose by 2.75% and 2.52% respectively. On the other hand, price index of Accommodation registered a decrease of 5.15% due to lower hotel room rates. The average TPI for the last 4 quarters ended the third quarter of 2009 increased by 3.07% over the previous period, with marked increase of the indices of Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco (+8.20%), Restaurant Service (+7.38%) and Clothing & Footwear (+5.08%); however, price index of Accommodation registered a decrease of 4.45%. For the first three quarters of 2009, TPI went up by 1.99% 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 derived from the Visitor Expenditure Survey. TPI covers 8 sections of goods and services, namely Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Service; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; 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 visitor arrivals in package tours recorded a year-on-year increase of 3.7% to 387,407 in August 2009, putting an end to the continuous decline for the past three months. Visitors in package tours from Mainland China (272,485); Taiwan, China (28,101); and Japan (23,175) increased by 7.9%, 16.6% and 45.8% respectively; however, those from Hong Kong (23,899) decreased by 13.3%. In the first eight months of 2009, visitor arrivals in package tours fell by 8.4% year-on-year to 2,923,256. In August 2009, the number of Macao residents travelling outbound in package tours dropped by 5.1% year-on-year to 26,507. Mainland China (74.6% of total); Japan (6.2%); and Taiwan, China (5.0%) were the most popular tour itineraries. In the first eight months of 2009, residents travelling outbound in package tours decreased by 13.8% year-on-year to 132,971. Meanwhile, 45,896 residents travelled outbound under own arrangements with services of travel agencies, up by 22.0% from August 2008. Hong Kong (38.2% of total); Mainland China (29.9%); and Taiwan, China (15.3%) were the main destinations. In the first eight months of 2009, outbound residents travelling under such arrangements increased by 12.0% year-on-year to 285,826. At the end of August 2009, total number of guest rooms available in the hotel sector increased by 1,570 (+9.5%) from a year earlier to 18,147 rooms. In August 2009, a total of 631,454 guests checked into hotels and guest-houses, up significantly by 15.5% year-on-year, with the majority coming from Mainland China (47.6% of total) and Hong Kong (27.9%). The average hotel occupancy rate rose by 3.7 percentage points year-on-year to 80.4%, with 4-star hotels leading at 87.0%. The average length of stay of hotel guests rose marginally by 0.01 night year-on-year to 1.5 nights. The cumulative number of hotel guests decreased by 1.8% in the first eight months of 2009 to 4,261,908. In the first eight months of 2009, visitor-guests of hotels accounted for 61.0% of the total number of tourists, up from 56.8% in the corresponding period of 2008.
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