As a new year comes around and everything looks fresh and cheerful, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) wishes all citizens and visitors good health and prosperity, and that the tourism industry of Macau would excel in diversification in the Year of the Ox.

MGTO and Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) join hands to organize celebratory activities on the first day of Lunar New Year (Jan 26) at the Ruins of St. Paul's and Senado Square to mark the spring festival and add a festive atmosphere to the city.

MGTO launched the 24-hour "Tourism Hotline 2833 3000" in which the in-coming calls will be attended by the operator to strengthen the services for tourists' enquiries.  MGTO has also published pamphlets - "Enjoy Macau" providing travel tips for visitors to Macau to be distributed at MGTO's Information Counters and Immigration Counters at the Checkpoints.

Macau's tourism industry continued to move towards diversification in 2008, and total visitor arrivals scored a new high of over 30 million, an increase of 11% compared with 2007.

MGTO has been promoting Macau's unique multi-cultural characteristics through various activities. Lunar New Year is an important festival in the Chinese society and also a peak season for visitors to experience the traditional celebrations in Macau. MGTO and IACM take this opportunity to express New Year greetings to the citizens and hospitality to the visitors.

On the first morning of Lunar New Year, Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes, President of IACM, Raymond Tam, Deputy Directors of MGTO Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Manuel Gonçalves Pires Júnior hosted the eye-dotting ceremony of the golden dragon and lions at the Ruins of St. Paul's and lit firecrackers at Senado Square to mark the celebrations. Guests and officials from MGTO, teamed up with the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, the Gold of Fortune and the Gods of Happiness, Prosperity, and Longevity, greeted the public and distributed "Lai Si" (red packets with lucky money) and souvenirs to residents and visitors. The crowd also enjoyed lively performance by the folkloric art troupe from the Hubei province. "Lai Si" distributed by the God of Fortune bestow good luck and fortune for the Year of the Ox.

The vibrant dragon and lion dances signal Macau to be as energetic and spirited as these noble creatures in the Year of the Ox, and as ox shows the characteristics of hard working, Macau people who boast these qualities and stand fast at their post would be promised with fruitful results.

The Lunar New Year celebrations are held on the first and second day of the Lunar New Year. Details of the activities are available on the website of MGTO http://www.macautourism.gov.mo.

In keeping with tradition, lucky "Lai Si" will be distributed at MGTO counters during Lunar New Year while stock lasts. Each packet contains a 10-cent coin as a symbol of MGTO's wishes for good luck and prosperity throughout the year.

On Lunar New Year's Eve, MGTO staged a splendid "fireworks display duet" set off from barges anchored in waters just off the Macau Tower to usher in the Year of the Ox. Thousands of citizens and visitors gathered at the waterfront for the magnificent spectacle.