Briefs: Tourist expenditure up by 17 pct

Visitors’ expenditure in the second quarter of 2014 rose by 17 percent year-on-year to reach MOP16.3 billion. Spending of overnight visitors amounted to MOP13.8 billion and that of same-day visitors reached MOP2.5 billion, up by 18 and 12 percent year-on-year, respectively.  Data released by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) shows that per-capita spending of tourists over the second quarter of this year reached MOP2,141, up by 9 percent year-on-year. Mainland visitors spent an average of MOP2,659, representing a 6 percent year-on-year increase. Those travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) spent on average MOP2,973. Per-capita spending of overnight visitors was MOP3,915, an increase of 15 percent year-on-year. Per-capita spending of overnight and same-day mainland visitors reached MOP4,926 and MOP732 respectively.
Analyzed by category of consumption, tourists mainly spent on shopping (49 percent), accommodation (26 percent), and food & beverages (19 percent) throughout the second quarter of this year.

Electoral commission denies restricting media access

After the meeting of the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Chief Executive (CAECE) yesterday, commission president Song Man Lei claimed that there was no intention of blocking media access to members of the Chief Executive Electoral College last Saturday during the political platform presentation by Chui Sai On.
At the event last Saturday, reporters were not allowed to leave the media zone to speak to Electoral College members during the recess period. Some claimed that this was an obstruction of the freedom of the press. Song Man Lei claimed that CAECE had decided on this arrangement after considering the number of Electoral College members and the fact that a press conference was due to be held soon. “From your [reporters’] perspective, you may not be satisfied with CAECE’s arrangement. However, our commission has its own considerations as well,” Ms Song said.

Ka Ho new nursing home construction  to start this year

The Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSPOT) has said that it hopes to begin construction on a new nursing home and rehabilitation hospital in Ka Ho by the end of the year. The authorities opened the nine bidding documents for the project yesterday. The bidding price ranged from MOP240 million to MOP380 million. DSSPOT estimated that the construction period will last for around 27 months. The project is expected to create 480 new jobs. The contractor will first demolish the structure of the original Ka Ho Nursing Home and build a seven-storey complex (with two basement levels), which will house both a nursing home and a rehabilitation hospital. The total floor area will be more than 20,000 square meters.