Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the average Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the whole year of 2016 continued its downward trend from 2015 (-0.86%), down by 5.44% to 130.86, with siginifcant decline in the price index of Accommodation (-21.20%) and Transport & Communications (-9.82%). However, price index of Restaurant Services, Miscellaneous Goods, and Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco increased by 2.27%, 2.20% and 1.91% respectively year-on-year.

TPI for the fourth quarter of 2016 decreased by 4.48% year-on-year to 134.96, attributable to lower charges for hotel accommodation and reduced airfares that pushed down the price index of Accommodation and Transport & Communications by 15.97% and 16.23% respectively year-on-year. Meanwhile, price index of Restaurant Services and Miscellaneous Goods rose by 3.48% and 3.10% respectively.

TPI for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased by 6.39% quarter-to-quarter. Price index of Accommodation surged by 24.41% on account of higher hotel room rates during the National Day holidays, the Macao Grand Prix and Christmas holidays; meanwhile, price index of Clothing & Footwear increased by 8.13% due to dearer prices of ladies’ clothing and handbags. On the other hand, lower airfares drove down the price index of Transport & Communications by 2.67% quarter-to-quarter.

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.