Macao tourism experiences slowdown

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-10-2009 12:53

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After nearly five years of rapid growth, Macao's tourism industry – long seen as a barometer of the local economy - is experiencing a slowdown. The financial crisis raging across the globe is slashing the number of tourists visiting the special administrative region.

The financial crisis raging across the globe is slashing  the number of tourists visiting the special administrative  region.

With the Chinese Lunar New Year is just around the corner, the streets in central Macao are crowded with people speaking many different Chinese dialects.

But this winter somehow feels a bit colder before. At least according to the locals.

The number of visitors in 2008 grew by less than two-thirds of the number for 2007, which was almost 23 percent. Not good news for people in the hotel and restaurant businesses.