UNWTO to Present Annual Report on Asia Tourism Trends at GTEF

The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) held earlier this week in Macau, attracted nearly 60 ministerial officials from different countries, leaders from globally-renowned private corporations, as well as experts and scholars from around the world to discuss the necessity of leveraging cultural tourism to capitalize on opportunities.

More than 1,200 delegates from different countries and cities, including Featured Partner Countries Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru as well as provincial and municipal delegations from China attended the event, while over 200 local and overseas media representatives were present, representing a 42% and 54% growth compared with the first edition of GTEF.

Ms. Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF, said, “Throughout history, Macau has always been a platform that brings people together to trade, to exchange ideas, and to work together. As the Secretary General of UNWTO eloquently expressed, globalization has made us so similar, but tourism brings out the beauty of our uniqueness and diversity, giving character and individuality to each culture. Macau in its strategic physical and historic location stands ready to optimize the Belt and Road Initiative to offer multi-dimensional, multi-faceted and multi-cultural offerings that will give its visitors and its residents lasting collective experience and memories, and create a virtuous cycle of positive and enriching influence from the visitors to the residents, and vice versa.”

Dr. Alexis Tam, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau Special Administrative Region Government and Executive Chairman of GTEF, stated in his closing remarks that the GTEF has unfolded a lively dialogue on how a partnership between culture and tourism can fuel new momentum for economic growth.

Secretary Tam added that UNWTO has partnered with the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre to jointly present their Annual Report on Asia Tourism Trends at the Forum, allowing policy makers and industry leaders to further harness their strength and enhance policy coordination in the region with a precise perspective.

The dates for the fifth edition of GTEF which will be held in Macau in 2016, are yet to be confirmed.

See also: Air Macau - Interview with Chairman, Mr. Zheng Yan, Pansy Ho - Setting the Scene at GTEF 2015, Interview with Jean-Claude Baumgarten, and Hun Sen and Prime Minister of Cambodia, speaking at the GTEF 2015 Opening Ceremony. More videos to come.