Global Tourism Economy Forum to Take Place in Macau 12-14 October 2015

One of the world’s most useful and interesting tourism economy forums, the Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF), will take place at the Venetian Macau from 12 to 14 October 2015 under the theme of “One Belt One Road – Unleashing New Dynamics of Cultural Tourism”.

The GTEF is a high-level tourism event hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

This year’s edition will continue to build upon the premise of the 21st century Maritime Silk Road (MSR), strengthening the tourism development of regions and countries along the MSR.

The forum will welcome members of the Pacific Alliance (Mexico, Peru, Chile and Colombia), joining as the Featured Partner Countries, and the Zhejiang province, one of the most important provinces on the MSR, joining as the Featured Province.

MGTO Director, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said, “GTEF has important meaning for Macau. By organizing the Forum, Macau can gain more experiences in organizing large-scale meetings and exhibitions. At the same time, it can attract government and business leaders and experts from different regions and countries, thus boosting Macau’s reputation internationally.”

As a prelude to GTEF 2015, Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTE, led a prominent delegation under the banner of GTEF to visit the Pacific Alliance countries in early June. Thirty influential entrepreneurs from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, who are engaged in a broad spectrum of tourism-related industries including property developments, destination management, hospitality, retail and investment, met with Ministers of Tourism and Ministers of Foreign Affairs from the Pacific Alliance countries and attended business networking events, gaining insights into the region’s investment landscape, tourism resources and market potentials, while sharing their experiences in catering to the evolving trends and consumption patterns of the Chinese tourists.

Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF Pansy Ho expressed her gratitude for the continuous support of the entire Macau community. In particular, she underscored the important impact of the forum, saying, "GTEF started the Chinese entrepreneurs’ business mission in 2013, aiming at extending its benefit beyond the forum period. Today, the business mission has become a crucial element that continues to inspire exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries. Greeted by Ministers of Tourism and Foreign Affairs with the warmest hospitality in our 12-day Pacific Alliance visit, we were able to experience first hand how the tourism sector can elevate cooperation and capitalize on the opportunity created by the new China-Latin America relationship.”

This year, the critically important Face to Face, Ministers and Private Sector CEOs session will once again lead the Forum discussions. Invited tourism ministers include ministers from Cambodia, South Korea and Pacific Alliance countries. Together with the global private-sector CEOs, these ministers will examine the forerunner role tourism plays in the monumental cross-regional cooperation initiative of “One Road and One Belt”.

In addition, industry leaders will share their insights in special sessions such as “Understanding Chinese Consumers Behaviour”, “Exploring the Full Dimension of Cultural Tourism – Cultural Heritage and Creative Living Culture” and ”Driving Cultural Awareness through Social Media”.

UNWTO and GTERC will present their second Joint Annual Report on Asia Tourism Trends, which will once again provide an in-depth analysis of the latest development in Asia tourism trend, enabling decision makers to keep their fingers on the pulse of the market.

To date, GTEF has attracted over 3,000 participants from 45 countries and regions, welcomed 49 provincial and municipal delegations from Mainland China, and presented 130 world renowned speakers including government ministers, business leaders and scholars on its stage.