The Tourist Price Index for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by 18.9 percent year-on-year.

The increment was caused by dearer accommodation prices, the Statistics and Census Service said.

The sub-price indexes of accommodation and restaurant services were up 35.0 percent and 19.2 percent, respectively.

The Tourist Price Index rose by 9.8 percent quarter-to-quarter, impacted by a substantial increase in hotel room rates during the National Day, the Macau Grand Prix and Christmas holidays.

The average Tourist Price Index for the whole year of 2011 increased by 15.5 percent from 2010, well ahead of inflation in Macau, which is expected to stay below 6 percent for the same period.

The Tourist Price Index reflects the price changes of goods and services purchased by visitors.