Macao Mens Second Quarter Tourism Price Index Rising

According to the statistics and Census Bureau of Macao, the tourism price index (164.04) increased by 12.29% in the second quarter of this year.

As gold ornaments, hotel rooms rents, men's wear, smoking and drinking, air ticket prices rose, and restaurant service charges increased, miscellaneous items (+23.48%), accommodation (+17.38%), clothing (+8.69%), food and tobacco (+6.22%), transportation and communication (+6.09%) and restaurant (+4.79%) recorded a significant increase.

On the other hand, the price index of entertainment and cultural activities dropped by 0.05%. In the second quarter of 2010, the tourism price index rose by 1.38% on a quarterly basis. Miscellaneous items, clothing and food and tobacco and alcohol prices rose by 6.01%, 2.86% and 2.17% respectively, mainly due to the increase in gold ornaments, men's wear and tobacco and alcohol prices. The price index of accommodation decreased by 10.60% as a result of the reduction of hotel room rents in the first quarter.

As of the second quarter of 2010, the average price index of tourism in recent four seasons increased by 8.45% compared with the previous period. The price index of miscellaneous articles (+19.45%), accommodation (+10.72%) and food and tobacco (+5.16%) increased considerably. In addition, the price index of tourism in the first half of this year increased by 10.84% over the same period last year, with a significant increase in the price index of miscellaneous goods (+21.40%) and accommodation (+14.29%). The tourism price index reflects the price movements of goods and services purchased by inbound passengers in Macao.

The tourism price index is based on the consumption pattern of tourists, which covers eight categories of commodities and services, including food, tobacco and wine, clothing, accommodation, catering, transportation and communications, medicines and personal belongings, recreational and cultural activities and miscellaneous items. The base period of the index is from July 1999 to June 2000.