There is growing speculation of a casino revival in Macau with the election of a new leader, Fernando Chui. It is expected that Chui will smooth relations with mainland China thereby paving the way for new policies on the gambling zone and lifting visa restrictions on mainland visitors.

The election result comes as no surprise given Chui was the only candidate. His endorsement was merely a formality by the 300 member selection committee loyal to Beijing. Chui is due to take office on 20 December 2009 for a five year term and replace Chief Executive Edmond Ho.

Macau is the only place in China where casinos are legal and they previously enjoyed explosive growth. Prior to 2009, Macau’s gambling revenue had been sharply rising with an impressive average of 27 per cent during each of the past four years.

However, Macau’s casinos began to suffer heavy losses last year as a result of travel restrictions placed on visitors from mainland China who are their main source of business. According to the government, the number of guests dropped 21.8 per cent in June 2009 compared to June 2008. Unsurprisingly, casino revenue slumped 12 per cent in the second quarter of 2009 from a year earlier. Loss of casino jobs drove Macau’s unemployment to a two year high.

Chui has promised to diversify Macau’s economy so that it is not so dominated by and dependent upon the revenue of the gambling industry and casinos. It is also anticipated that Chui will improve regulations within the gambling industry.

中文
Read on »

July 22, millions of tourists and amateur astronomers gathered at Baoshi Hill by the West Lake in Hangzhou, the best observation point to watch the solar eclipse.

The once-in-a-five-hundred-year solar eclipse motivated not only the amateur astronomers, but also the cities lying on the observation spots. Cities where the eclipse could be seen were in a competition of the “best observation point”. What was behind this game was a heated eclipse marketing.

In fact, when some of the cities knew about this astronomical wonder a year ago, they engaged themselves in building roads, squares, science museums, and in preparing astronomy forum, etc. It was estimated that the solar eclipse would attract at least ten thousand tourists from around the world to the highly populated cities by the Yangtze River. Due to which, many cities entitled themselves with the “best observation point” in order to explore the market.

Tongling in Anhui Province invested RMB 14 million to establish the Square of the Solar Calendar; Anji in Zhejiang constructed an astronomy observation base; Jiaxing erected the Monument of  the Best Observation Point; the tourism industry in Zhoushan took advantage of the eclipse and put forward some relevant itineraries, so did Shanghai.

中文
Read on »

In order to change the tourist situation of “too popular in summer, too deserted in winter”, Turpan in Xinjiang China runs multiple activities, in which travellers can experience the local customs, to “extend” the tourist season.

The Turpan Local Committee says the local people make good use of the light and heat resources and hold the activity “Happy Old Man: Sunshine Trip to Turpan” that benefits elder citizens. In spring, events, including “The Trip of Confidence: No Volcano Cannot be crossed”, “Look for the Spring’s First Trace in Xinjiang”, “Photo Contest in Huozhou” that combine sport, leisure, recreation, and travel, are held to offer more travel options to tourists.

In addition, Turpan employs real life performance project on Loulan migration and the “Impression of Turpan”; cooperates with CCTV in holding the television program “The Passion Plaza”; joins the documentary production on Xinjiang tourism; and produces television drama “The Turpan King”. All efforts are contributed to propagate the landscape and customs in Turpan.

Also, Turpan works with Hunan and Guangdong Province in reginal cooperation aiming at strengthening the tourism competitiveness and creating a win-win situation.

Turpan was the key town on the ancient Silk Road, rich in tourism resources. The well-known Huoyanshan, Aiding Lake, Grape Ditch, Qanat, and Qianfo Cave attract a large number of tourists around the world every year.

中文
Read on »

According to the China Tourism Academy, H1N1 is the key factor that has a larger influence on China tourism industry than the financial crisis this year. However, the flu is expected to harm the industry less than SARS in 2003.

Research shows that H1N1 leads to the decline of reception of travel agencies. Among which, some have an decrease of over 90%.

Statistics illustrate that the first half of 2009, domestic tourists reached a number of 1 billion, 10% of the increase; domestic tourism  had a revenue of RMB 500 billion. On the other hand, the number of outbound tourists climbed to a figure of 22.50 million, with a jump of 1%; the sum of tourists who entered China was 62 million, a 5% drop compared to the first half of last year. The tourism industry had a $ 18 billion foreign exchange income during this period, which was a 11% decline.

中文
Read on »

One of the dreams of many Chinese and International students is to study abroad. Part of the mission of this program is to help individuals realize their dreams through information and  support when and where we can offer it. This is part of a series of posts that will spotlight schools we believe to be the best in China, America, Canada the UK and Australia for overseas learning that accept the IELTS for entrance.

Top boxers are always being sized up against others outside of their weight class and are referred to by sports pundits as, “pound-for-pound” the best puncher, or overall fighter in the game. The same metaphor can easily be applied to International MBA Programs and especially those with China as their primary focus.

The China Dreambloue Team below as translators for Cal Poly Visitors to Zhongkai University. For more visit their popular blog CAL POLY MBA TRIP

Long before Cal Poly became partners with IELTS CHINA we had a chance to interact with students and faculty from the Orfalea College of Business: the best pound-for-pound International MBA program based in America. Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California via The Orfalea College of Business offers a 1-year program for qualified students from China and the world: The MBA program with a focus on international business in China, concludes with a 1-month tour of Chinese culture and business. Prospective graduates visit small and medium-sized”expatraneurs” and China manufacturers, educational institutions and renown multi-nationals like Walmart, Lenovo, and The Sands/Venetian. This year they climbed the Great Wall, toured the water village of Zhouzhung, and visited the UNESCO sites in the former Portuguese colony of Macau.

And the entire MBA program, located in one of the safest and most scenic areas of California, costs less in total than does a semester at a school with more recognizable branding. Despite named #1 by US News and World Report as the top Masters Degree granting institution in the west, Cal Poly is bit of a a well-kept secret, but that is not likely to last. Their leadership via Professor Chris Carr continues to innovate with its world-class faculty and curriculum.

We receive no compensation for our endorsement of Cal Poly, but regard it as one of the best MBA schools available to Chinese students looking for an academic home in the U.S..