Spanning a week from 31 January to 6 February, the Spring Festival Golden Week is about to begin. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is actively preparing for the peak period in various ways by activating the tourism notification system, increasing inspection duties, sending reminders to the trade about various concerns, printing local food guide and carrying out a range of Lunar New Year celebrations, etc. The Office strives not only to cater for citizens and visitors' needs but also to optimize local tourism environment and service quality through various measures.

MGTO and Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province have officially activated the "Tourism Notification System for Spring Festival Golden Week" on 27 January until 7 February to ensure smooth hospitality work for visitors during Lunar New Year. MGTO will release related information online, including the updated numbers of Mainland and overall visitor arrivals at various ports every previous day. The two destinations' tourism authorities will keep close communication with each other. 

MGTO has been regularly releasing the room rates of Macau hotels and guest houses in different room categories on its website so that visitors can obtain the latest information. The Office will also send Wechat and mobile text messages to Mainland residents who plan to visit Macau during the Golden Week, advising them to make room reservation in advance and to check hotel room rates on MGTO's website if needed; To ensure visitors have more travel tips in hand, the Office also encourages visitors to download travel information before their departure for Macau or to obtain printed materials at MGTO's Tourist Information counters for free upon arrival.

Moreover, MGTO will take more frequent action to inspect different tourist spots, border ports and areas in Macau and increase the manpower at Tourist Information counters during Spring Festival. MGTO's tourism hotline (853) 2833 3000 will maintain its 24-hour operator service to answer tourists' enquiries. The Office's inspectors will also stand by round-the-clock to cope with any situation when visitors are in need. Visitors can visit MGTO's website for further travel information. MGTO has also sent letters reminding the trade to concern about hygiene, fire safety, opening hours, occupational guidelines of hosting tour groups, requirements regarding report of hotel room rates and record of hotel guest information upon check-in, etc.

MGTO also regularly communicates and exchanges news with Consumer Council, Public Security Police Force, Macau Customs Service, Marine and Water Bureau, Transport Bureau and so forth. Visitors can visit Public Security Police Force's website: http://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/pspmonitor on phone or computer and check the real-time border-crossing images at the arrival/departure halls and traffic lanes of Barrier Gate, Outer Harbour and Cotai Frontier Post on the "Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports", thus choosing the right timing to leave or arrive in Macau. MGTO's website offers a direct link to Public Security Police Force's webpage for the "Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports".

Besides the above measures, MGTO also jointly publishes "Macau Food Guide during Spring Festival" (Chinese version only) with The United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macau, The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District, General Union of the Macau Neighborhood Association as well as The Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macau. The food guide offers a contact list of restaurants and eateries which will open during Spring Festival for visitors to obtain their operating information conveniently.

To give citizens and visitors a pleasant experience in town, MGTO is presenting a series of events during Spring Festival including "Parade of Gigantic Golden Dragon", "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Horse" and "Fireworks Display for the Celebration of 2014 Chinese New Year". Special festivities will be held along the four walking tour routes of the project "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" as well. The five Macau Tourism Ambassadors will be there with other staff to answer visitors' enquiries and introduce them to various tourist spots along the routes. They will also distribute the brochure "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities", encouraging locals and visitors to explore the routes.  

"Macau Food Guide during Spring Festival", the "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" brochure and Chinese New Year Festivities Program can be downloaded from MGTO's website: http://www.macautourism.gov.mo or acquired from various Tourist Information counters of MGTO.