Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the fourth quarter of 2013 increased by 6.33% year-on-year to 142.26, attributable to higher hotel room rate and rising charges for restaurant services. Notable increase was observed in the price index of Accommodation (+13.32%); Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco (+8.36%); and Restaurant Services (+6.53%) on account of higher hotel room rate, dearer prices of local food products and rising charges for restaurant services. On the contrary, lower prices of gold jewellery and communication equipment drove down the price index of Miscellaneous Goods by 6.06% year-on-year.

TPI for the fourth quarter of 2013 increased by 10.41% quarter-to-quarter. Soaring hotel room rate during the National Day holidays, the Macao Grand Prix and Christmas holiday period pushed up the price index of Accommodation by 35.86% quarter-to-quarter; price index of Clothing & Footwear increased by 10.84% on account of dearer prices of clothing and handbags. Meanwhile, price index of Transport & Communications, Miscellaneous Goods, and Medicine & Personal Goods registered quarter-to-quarter decrease.

The average TPI (132.76) for the whole year of 2013 increased by 6.80% year-on-year, with marked increase being recorded in the price index of Clothing & Footwear (+10.50%); Accommodation (+9.68%); and Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco (+9.15%); meanwhile, price index of Miscellaneous Goods decreased by 3.56% year-on-year.

The 2009/2010-based TPI reflects the price change of goods and services purchased by visitors. Sections of TPI goods and services are selected according to the consumption pattern of visitors, namely Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Services; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods.