Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the fourth quarter of 2009 rose by 9.23% year-on-year to 158.58. The price indices of Miscellaneous Goods; Accommodation; and Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco increased notably by 26.16%, 13.16% and 4.12% respectively, attributable to dearer prices of jewellery led by rising gold prices, higher hotel room rate during the National Day holidays, the Macao Grand Prix and Christmas holiday period, as well as general increase of food prices. On the contrary, lower airfares pushed the price index of Transport & Communications down by 3.47% year-on-year.

The fourth quarter TPI went up by 7.39% quarter-to-quarter, of which the price indices of Accommodation and Miscellaneous Goods increased by 36.66% and 11.85% respectively. On the other hand, price indices of Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Clothing & Footwear decreased slightly by 0.90% and 0.21% respectively.

The average TPI for 2009 increased by 3.81% year-on-year, with marked increase of the indices of Miscellaneous Goods (+8.81%); Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco (+6.34%); and Restaurant Services (+4.95%). However, price index of Transport & Communications registered a decrease of 1.73%.

TPI reflects the price changes of goods and services purchased by visitors, which is compiled based on the consumption pattern of visitors derived from the Visitor Expenditure Survey. TPI covers 8 sections of goods and services, namely Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Services; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods. The base year of TPI is from July 1999 to June 2000.