National Day holidays (Golden Week) officially begin on 1^st October, which this year coincides with the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has taken an array of measures in vigorous preparation for the arrival of the peak period such as sending reminders to tourism industry operators and visitors by letter and mobile text messages, respectively.

It has also initiated the interdepartmental sharing of information, undertaken scrupulous inspections, produced a food guide publication, as well as delegating manpower to tourist spots to provide a visitor enquiry service, and so forth. Through the diverse aforementioned measures MGTO has made unreserved efforts to cater to the needs of residents and visitors as well as optimising the tourism environment and service quality of Macao.

In order to safeguard visitor rights and tourism quality, MGTO has sent letters to tourism and related businesses for their awareness of hygiene, fire safety, guest capacity, opening hours, and so forth. Via mobile text messaging, MGTO will advise visitors to visit major local attractions during off-peak hours.

From 30^th September to 8^th October, staff will attend ten tourist locations to provide visitors with tourism information and guidance while assisting in crowd management. In addition to these tactics, MGTO has supported local associations in rolling out holiday and weekend activities at Anim'Arte Nam Van and the Taipa Houses, filling the city with festive vibes alongside fascinating choices of entertainment and leisure activities during the National Day holiday.

MGTO also regularly communicates and exchanges information with other government entities including the Consumer Council, Public Security Police Force, Macao Customs Service, Marine and Water Bureau as well as the Transport Bureau.

From the 'Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports' operated by the Public Security Police Force, visitors can check real-time border crossing images at arrival & departure halls and traffic lanes at the Border Gate, Outer Harbour and Cotai Frontier Post by visiting the platform webpage: www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/pspmonitor on mobile phone or computer. Visitors can hence exercise flexibility in arriving in and leaving Macao. The MGTO website offers a direct link to the Public Security Police Force webpage 'Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports'.

In addition, the MGTO website (www.macaotourism.gov.mo) offers diverse information including regularly published room rates for different room categories reported by hotels and guesthouses in Macao on its website plus the Star Merchant Award - Restaurants and Eateries Guide; Macao Food Guide for 1^st October Holiday; and Step Out, Experience Macao's Communities. Via its WeChat ID, the Office will also advise visitors to make room reservations and prepare their itinerary ahead of their trip to Macao.

During the National Day holidays, Macao will host a range of festivals and events, performances, exhibitions and activities. Residents and visitors can download several mobile apps including What's On, Macao; Experience Macao and Step Out, and Macao Mobile App, available from App Store or Google Play for free, from which visitors can easily obtain information about activities and the latest tourist attractions in Macao. MGTO Tourist Information counters have also prepared Enjoy Macao leaflets for visitors to obtain for free.

MGTO will conduct even more scrupulous inspections at various tourist attractions, ports and districts in Macao while co-operating with police authorities to combat illegal accommodation activities. MGTO inspectors will stand by around the clock.

The Office will also increase manpower at Tourist Information counters whilst the MGTO Tourism Hotline at (853) 2833 3000 will maintain its 24-hour operator service as usual. Residents and visitors may also obtain tourism and related information from the official MGTO website.