The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) formally notified the Macao Government that the number of designated Mainland tour operators for the Macao Group Tour Scheme had increased from four to 67. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Chui Sai On, stated this increase on Thursday, 31 January 2002.

Upon his return from Beijing, Mr. Chui said that the Macao government had received the list of the 67 designated Mainland tour operators. The Macao Government Tourism Office has been working to create a special division to assist the CNTA.

He stated that the CNTA would gather the 67 Mainland tour operators in Zhuhai and Macao in order to discuss the issue with the local ground-receiving agents, adding that the tour operators would be able to operate once contracts were signed.

Mr. Chui predicted that the whole process would be completed by mid-March and that before June the Macao government would amend the related tourism regulations in order to prevent abuse of the law.

Mr. Chui had traveled to Beijing on 28 January in order to visit with CNTA officials to discuss this situation as it related to tourism and health issues.