The Tourist Price Index (TPI) of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) for the first quarter of 2019 increased by 0.72 percent year-on-year to 137.92, the SAR's statistics service said on Monday.

Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the the increase was attributable to dearer prices of local food products and higher charges for hotel accommodation and restaurant services. However, the falling prices of clothing and handbags tapered off part of the increase.

Among the various sections of goods and services, price index of entertainment and cultural activities grew by 3.93 percent year-on-year due to rising prices of the Lunar New Year-related leisure goods.

Price indices of accommodation and food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco rose by 3.73 percent and 3.28 percent respectively. Meanwhile, price indices of clothing and footwear, and miscellaneous goods saw decreases.

In comparison with the fourth quarter of 2018, TPI for the first quarter of 2019 dropped by 1.35 percent.

The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the first quarter of 2019 increased by 0.55 percent from the previous period, with price indices of food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, as well as entertainment and cultural activities recording a notable rise. Meanwhile, price index of clothing and footwear decreased.