Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) targeted the catering sector for the second consecutive year in the 'Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme' (QTSAS), recognizing participants with a QTSAS Awards Gala Dinner on 1^st December at which it presented the 'Star Merchant Award' to 84 qualified merchants in 2015, with the 'Service Star Award' going to the most outstanding four.

In her speech, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes referred to the Belt and Road Initiative, in which for its part Macao is prepared to welcome visitors from a broader diversity of market segments in the future. She encourages members of the local trade to keep upgrading themselves through training and greeting visitors with warm hospitality and professional knowledge. She also encourages local businesses to develop creative ideas and let both residents and visitors enjoy a greater variety of products and highly-rated services, and hopes that local industry partners will continue to join and support the Scheme, fostering the quality improvement of local tourism services and building a positive destination image in line with Macao's goal to become a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.

This year, 84 qualified merchants will receive the 'Star Merchant Award' in recognition of their high-quality tourism services. Four of them will pick up the 'Service Star Award' as a result of scoring highest in their respective category. Including last year's award winners, nearly 170 catering merchants have qualified as a 'Star Merchant' so far.

Each award-winning merchant in the QTSAS is presented an accreditation certificate, shop-window sticker and 'Star Merchant Award' badge for them to show customers their ability and commitment to providing high quality tourism services. Valid for a period of three years, the accreditation helps merchants to better promote their services. MGTO plans to implement the QTSAS programme for not only the local catering sector but travel agencies as well in 2016, in addition to studying the possibility of extending the Scheme to other tourism-related industries.

Information about the award-winning merchants is listed in the 'Star Merchant Award - Restaurants and Eateries Guide', with printed copies available at MGTO Tourist Information counters. The list of award-winning merchants is also available for public inspection on the MGTO website at: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/page/content.php?page_id=219