• Visitors can download the ‘Macao Food Guide for 1st October Holiday’ via the MGTO website

MGTO Well Prepared for 1st October Golden Week

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For the 1st October Golden Week - 1st to 7th October - Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has adopted an array of measures in preparation for the peak period whilst making unstinting efforts to cater to the needs of residents and visitors by optimising the tourism environment and service quality Macao can offer.

In order to safeguard visitor rights and tourism quality, MGTO has sent letters to tourism and related businesses to raise their awareness about hygiene, fire safety, guest capacity, opening hours, occupational guidelines of tour group reception, requirements for price-list declaration of hotels and catering establishments, requirements for hotel record keeping of guest information upon check-in, guidelines on management of hotel swimming pools, and so on.

During Golden Week MGTO will conduct thorough inspections of local tourist attractions, ports of entry and districts while closely co-operating with police authorities to combat illegal accommodation, with MGTO inspectors standing by for prompt action around the clock. In consideration of the latest situation, the Office will duly adjust manpower to Tourist Information counters, while the operator service of MGTO's Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000 will attend to 24-hour enquiries as usual. Visitors can also visit MGTO's official website for more tourism and related information.

Debut of Golden Week statistics

New statistical indicators are now available on Macao Tourism Data plus ('MTD plus'). On this MGTO online platform members of the public can check provisional data about visitation to Macao during Golden Week, even referencing Macao visitation data during last year's Golden Weeks. In addition, MGTO will post provisional visitor arrival figures of every previous day on the Internet between 2nd and 8th October. For the public's further information, the MGTO website and Macao Tourism Industry Net regularly publish the declared room rates of local hotels and guesthouses in all room categories. In addition, the Office has advised visitors via WeChat to make room reservations and prepare itineraries in advance of their trips to Macao.

Trial use of smart methods to help divert visitor flow

This year, MGTO is working with the Public Security Police Force to divert visitor traffic at various tourist attractions by mobile texting messages related to geographic locations for the first time. Upon being alerted by police forecast that tourist traffic will imminently spike at main tourist attractions such as the Ruins of St. Paul's and Senado Square, MGTO will instantly text visitors in such areas; primarily including Praça de Ferreira do Amaral, Nam Van Lake and Rua do Campo, advising them to temporarily avoid visiting congested areas.

In addition, from 29th September to 7th October, staff at 10 tourist locations will provide visitors with tourism information and guidance while helping divert the flow of visitors from the beaten path in order to minimise their impact upon traffic conditions and neighbourhoods near popular tourist sites, thus maintaining the positive destination image of Macao.

Colourful events and activities

Besides the above, the 29th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest finale, featuring teams from Italy and China, will be held on the People's Republic of China's National Day - as will the ever-popular Fireworks Carnival.

In addition, MGTO has supported local associations in rolling out the '3rd Macau International Lantern Festival' at Anim'Arte NAM VAN (1st September to 1st October) and Avenida de Sagres (1st September to 15th October) plus 'Community Tourism - Autumn Afternoons' (29th September to 2nd October) at Taipa Houses, enlivening the city with festive vibes and fascinating choices of entertainment and leisure activities during the National Day holiday.

Travel tip Apps promise leisurely travel

MGTO also maintains the regular communication and sharing of information with other public entities including the Consumer Council, Public Security Police Force, Macao Customs Service, Marine and Water Bureau, and Transport Bureau. Regarding the 'Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports' offered by the Public Security Police Force, visitors can check real-time border-crossing images at the arrival and departure halls and traffic lanes of the Border Gate, Outer Harbour, Cotai Frontier Post and Taipa Ferry Terminal. By accessing the latest situation on this platform www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/pspmonitor via phone or computer visitors can better time their entry to or departure from Macao. The MGTO website offers a direct link to this real-time information webpage.

Residents and visitors can download various mobile apps including 'What's On, Macao', 'Experience Macao' and 'Step Out, Macao' from App Store or Google Play for free to learn about the newest tourist attractions as well as upcoming events and festivals, performances, exhibitions and activities in town, with a wealth of travel information on hand. The promotional leaflet 'Enjoy Macao' is also available to visitors from MGTO Tourist Information counters.

For dining options, visitors are advised to look for quality restaurants and eateries accredited by the Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme (QTSAS) as listed in the guidebook titled 'Star Merchant Award - Restaurants and Eateries Guide'. In addition, MGTO publishes the 'Macao Food Guide for 1st October Holiday' in collaboration with the General Union of Neighbours Association of Macau, the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macao and the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District. Encompassing a list of available restaurants and eateries during the National Day Holiday, this handy food guide offers residents and visitors the contact and operation information of these establishments for their added convenience.

The 'Star Merchant Award - Restaurants and Eateries Guide' and the 'Step Out, Experience Macao's Communities Walking Tour Routes' brochure can be downloaded from the MGTO website: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo or acquired from MGTO Tourist Information counters. The 'Macao Food Guide for 1st October Holiday' is distributed during the 1st October Golden Week and available for download from the MGTO website and WeChat ID.