Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes conducts visits to ZAPE and Macau Northern District today and tomorrow respectively to examine the progress of combat against illegal accommodation and promote the related combating work. Director Fernandes reiterated that MGTO will persist in fighting illegal accommodation while enhancing their promotion among visitors and apartment owners, joining hands with the society to crack down on illegal accommodation.

Director Fernandes, Deputy Director Manuel Pires and the related department supervisors visited the building management offices and living apartments of the "Yi"-titled residential blocks and Macau International Centre in ZAPE today (February 4) to consult the communities' residents and related associations about the situation and listen to their opinions. Meanwhile, they distributed new promotional leaflets to promote combat against illegal accommodation.

Fernandes expressed that it is a long-term operation to combat illegal accommodation. MGTO has been holding regular work meetings with related associations and the resident representatives of the affected communities, maintaining communication and cooperation through interactive exchange. MGTO appreciates the associations and apartment owners for raising opinions which have significantly facilitated the related law enforcement.

She also stated that over the past two years of combating actions, they concluded and reflected upon their work incessantly, accumulating fair experiences in implementing the law effectively; in addition, the enforcement work achieved more striking effects thanks to the interdepartmental cooperation and coordination in law enforcement, with credit especially to the police authorities' active participation in response to the social development and alteration of illegal means.

Fernandes added that a new array of promotion is launched this year including production of new posters and promotional leaflets. The latter are available to citizens and visitors at major ports and MGTO information counters. MGTO has specifically printed two versions of posters and leaflets for visitors and apartment owners respectively in order to target the message at either party; furthermore, the office has produced brand-new Cantonese and Mandarin promotional videos for broadcast on MGTO's website as well as Hong Kong and Mainland media channels as a reminder for visitors to stay in legal accommodation venues.

There are 44 inspectors in the Inspection Division of MGTO at present, 32 of whom are newly employed. Currently under training, the new staff will undertake frontline patrol and related administrative work soon. In addition, 12 more new inspectors will join the office in near future.

Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" came into force on August 13, 2010 until today (January 31, 2013), MGTO has investigated 1,533 premises in total and sealed 316 premises allegedly used for provision of illegal accommodation. On the other hand, the office has unsealed 237 premises and begun 316 sanction proceedings.

MGTO has received 1,052 reports against alleged premises up to date. Citizens can report any suspected case via the 24-hour hotline 2833 3000. Complainants can also log on to MGTO's website (Chinese/English) http://www.macautourism.gov.mo and click the banner of "Online Complaint against Illegal Accommodation" to file a report.