Macao, though small in size, is proving to be a city that can match the best when it comes to luring and hosting tourists.

"We expect 11 million tourist arrivals in 2002 after the number hit a record 10 million last year," Manuel Costa Antunes, director of the Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO), told Xinhua.

Tourists to the Special Administrative Region (SAR) representeda double-digit growth from January to August -- jumping a year-on-year 10 percent to 7.6 million -- led by a huge influx of China's inlanders, the latest statistics show.

　　Hong Kong remained the largest tourist source for Macao, providing 3.55 million visitors, though the figure dipped 1.4 percent on an annual basis.

China's inland was catching up quickly, accounting for slightlymore than one-third of tourist arrivals in Macao, while Taiwan tourists made up 13.6 percent of the total in the eight-month period. In August alone, visitors from China's interior surged nearly 20 percent from a year ago.

More importantly, the inlanders' per capita spending nearly doubled the average for all visitors.

Macao with its roughly 450 years of history boasts a blend of the cultures of East and West, which is reflected in local architecture, living style, traditions and food, a big attraction for visitors.

Antunes noted Macao's tourism industry has benefited greatly from a sharp rise of travel agencies allowed by the China NationalTourism Administration to manage the SAR-bound tours.

Correspondingly, the SAR has selected 77 tourist services with sound quality and reputation to play host to tour groups from the inland.

Macao is now experiencing a shortage of tour guides in tandem with the tourism boom, but the Macao Tourism Institute said as many as 300 students will graduate and work as qualified guides later this year.

In an effort to make tourists stay longer and spend more, Macaohas been involved in building new tourist spots while preserving ancient relics such as Ruins of St. Paul Church and the A-ma Temple.

A sightseeing tower higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris, for example, has opened to visitors. Soaring 338 meters above the city,it enables sightseers to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of theheart of Macao, the Pearl River and even some islands of Hong Kongin a clear day.

Work on the Fisherman's Wharf -- which is designed to house buildings of different countries, imitated volcanoes and other scenic spots -- and the A-ma Cultural Village -- which shows the unique A-ma folklore -- are both being accelerated.

After liberalization of the gambling industry, three winners ofnew casino licenses have pledged to inject, in the near future, billions of dollars in Macao to build theme hotels and facilities for sightseeing and leisure-seeking purpose.

In addition, the SAR government is building the city into a MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) location,which will draw more business travelers to the city. Macao now offers a wide variety of meeting venues.

"As business travelers' spending are four times more than that of other tourists, we are targeting the development of this market," Antunes said.

China's inland will not be the sole growth market. According toFernando Chui Sai On, secretary for social affairs and culture, Macao is to hold a host of tourism promotions in quite a few cities in Indonesia in October and will soon establish tourism offices in India and New Zealand to expand visitor sources.

Tourism and gaming industry contributed 55 percent of the SAR'sgross domestic product last year and the portion is estimated to rise further, he said.

At present, 35 percent of Macao's 435,000 population are engaged in the tourism and related industry, making it the key economic pillar for the SAR.

( Xinhua News Agency September 23, 2002)