The Consumer Council, Macao Government Tourism Office (DST) and Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) met with food and beverage industry chambers in Macao before Chinese New Year to ensure food and beverage outlets offer accurate and comprehensive information of price and services, any price alterations should also be reported to the relevant department in advance to safeguard consumer rights.

Prices should be listed accurately

A lot of consumers choose to dine out during Chinese New year, and tourists are expected to patronize restaurants, to safeguard consumer rights and maintain Macao’s image as an international city, the Consumer Council, DST, and IACM met with The United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macao and Association of Macau Small and Medium Enterprises of Catering earlier to discuss on the operation and service quality of local F&B industry during Chinese New Year. The F&B industry are reminded to follow the regulations of Decree-law no. 16/96/M to inform the enforcing department whenever adjustment is made to the price list, meanwhile, food items must be listed completely and accurately on the menu, charges and price adjustments should also be known to consumers. For inbound tourists who are not familiar with the local market, they should be explained to and informed of any charges to avoid any misunderstandings and disputes.

The Council provided previous complaint cases of food and beverage services as examples for the chambers’ reference on the meeting, and hoped that the industry would pay more attention to consumers’ requests and further enhance the service quality of the industry.

Representatives of the two associations agreed with the suggestions given by the departments and indicated that their members would abide by the laws and protect consumer rights.

“Consumer Guide” to enhance consumer confidence

The Council prepared a “Consumer guide” for tourists shopping in Macao earlier and the guide was disseminated by the China Consumers’ Association and over forty consumer organizations in the Mainland, the Council hoped that tourists could know more about the consumption culture in Macao and enhance their confidence in shopping here.