The average spending of visitors in Macao dropped 12 percent in the second quarter this year over the same period of 2004, according to official statistics issued on Wednesday.

The figures from the Statistics and Census Service showed that the per capita expenditure recorded 1,334 patacas (US$167) in the quarter.

Visitors from the Chinese mainland topped with 2,856 patacas (US$357) on the list and those from Hong Kong in the second place with 1,900 patacas (US$238), the figures showed.

Non-shopping spending (gaming expenses excluded) of visitors in the quarter decreased 7 percent year-on-year, the statistics displayed.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2005)