GROUP tours in Macao soared a year-on-year 47 percent in the first seven months of this year, led by a skyrocketing increase of tourists from the Chinese mainland.

　　The Statistics and Census Services revealed Wednesday that the Special Administrative Region (SAR) had 1.25 million group tourists in the seven-month period.

　　In July alone, 120,300 mainland tourists visited Macao, jumping 71.4 percent from a year earlier. Other major tourist sources for the city include China’s Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

　　As a result, Macao’s hotels have had improved business with three-star hotels recording their best performances, according to the agency.

　　Tourism authorities said the industry had benefited greatly from the decision of the China National Tourism Administration to allow more travel agencies to operate the so-called “Macao Tour” business.

　　Correspondingly, the Macao Government Tourist Office is taking measures to upgrade market order and accelerate training for tour guides to address the tourist boom.

　　Statistics also show that 23,100 Macao residents out of a total population of roughly 440,000 traveled overseas in July, favoring destinations such as China’s interior, Taiwan and Hong Kong.(Xinhua)