Archive for April, 2008

Macao Pataca to Remain Pegged to Hong Kong Dollar

The peg of the pataca to the Hong Kong dollar is an established policy of the Government and will not be changed for a long time, the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said when he attended a plenary session of the Legislative Assembly this afternoon. Mr Ho, who was answering legislators’ questions, said he

Stanley Ho Drops Oceanus Project, But Extends Jai Alai Casino

Last week's announced slowing of casino development and fixing of commission rates for junket operators was welcomed by the director of Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM), Dr Stanley Ho Hung-sun yesterday as necessary to stop the "cut throat" competition between operators. "I think it is excellent news for Macau in general. It is high time

Bangkok Airways to Begin Macau Flights on 4 July 2008

Bangkok Airways will begin flights to Macau in July, becoming the third carrier to offer scheduled non-stop service on the fast-growing route between Bangkok and the former Portuguese colony. The Thai carrier is set to commence daily flights using a new twin engine Airbus A319, which is capable of carrying 120 passengers, on July 4. The

Macau May 1 Rally May Well Be Called Off

More than one rally which were originally planned to be staged on May 1 demanding measures to tackle illegal workers as well as soaring living costs could be called off after the Chief Executive announced the two-billion pataca subsidy for Macau residents on Tuesday, reports Macau Daily Times. According to lawmaker and chief member of the

Macau Grand Prix Organisers To Tackle Competion

In the face of mounting competition for motor-sport fans, Macau Grand Prix organisers should consider packaging tickets with the the city's other attractions to maintain interest in the race. In an ever-growing calendar of race events in Asia, which this year for the first time will include a Formula One race in Singapore, Macau will

Venetian Macao to Celebrate Mother's Day in Style

The Venetian Macao will be offering several specials over the Mother's Day period ranging from hotel packages to discounts at select retail stores. To begin with, their tri-generation abalone gala pays tribute to mothers everywhere with an ostentatiously-priced package that may only suit the budget of the very few, and only for May 11. For a mere

Macau Casino Employees Protest With Legislative Assembly

Nearly 50 present and retired casino workers handed in a petition letter to the Legislative Assembly yesterday urging for the government's attention to protect local workers' employment opportunities. The Macau Workers' Interests Association assembled near the Nam Van Nautical Centre at 5:00 pm and then headed to the Legislative Assembly with banners reading their demands to

Macau March 2008 Visitor Arrivals Up a Whopping 25.6%

Macau visitor arrivals reached 2,713,457 in March 2008, a year-on-year increase of 25.6%. Visitors from Mainland China (1,566,179), Hong Kong (743,250) and Southeast Asia (153,921) grew by 32.4%, 11.5% and 60.4% respectively. Same-day visitors accounted for 53.2% of the total arrivals, at 1,444,785. The majority of the visitors came from Mainland China and Hong Kong, which

Macau Put Stop to More Casino Concessions

The number of licenced casino operators will remain the same for a period of time and the Government will not approve new applications for land use filed by gaming companies. The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, announced this when he attended a plenary session of the Legislative Assembly this afternoon to answer legislators' inquiries

Moody's Says Macau Economy Is Solid

Macau’s financial health is solid although there are some risks that make the territory vulnerable to external shocks, according to US ratings agency Moody's Investors Service. "Macau's solid fiscal position has produced considerable public sector surpluses over the past five years and because it does not have any public debt that needs to be repaid, its