The per-capita spending of visitors in Macao reached 1,562 patacas (US$195) in the first quarter of this year, a year-on-year rise of five percent, according to official statistics issued Wednesday.

The figures released by the government-run Statistics and Census Service (SCS) showed that visitors from the Chinese mainland took the lead on the expenditure list with 3,088 patacas (US$386).

The per-capita shopping spending surged by 12 percent year-on-year to 744 patacas (US$93) in the quarter, the figures showed.

Meanwhile, the per-capita non-shopping spending decreased one percent to 818 patacas (US$102) in the period, according to the statistics.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2006)