Unveils In-depth Discussion on Tourism Economy

and Inspires Brilliant Insights

 

(18 September 2013, Macau) - The second edition of Global Tourism Economy Forum ("GTE-Forum" or "the Forum"), hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government, co-organized by the China Chamber of Tourism under the authorization of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and coordinated by the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, had its Opening Ceremony launched at 9 a.m. today at Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. Mr. Su Rong, Vice Chairman of The National Committee of The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of Macau SAR, Mr. Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference cum Forum Chairman of GTE-Forum, Mr. Cheong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government and Executive Chairman of Global Tourism Economy Forum, Mr. Li Lu, Vice Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce, Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Mr. Michael Frenzel, Chairman of World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Mr. João Manuel Costa Antunes, Chairman of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) are among the officiating guests at Opening Ceremony.

 

Themed as "Regenerate our Economies: Invest in Travel and Tourism", this edition of GTE-Forum has invited over 40 ministerial officials and private leaders from globally-renowned corporations for more in-depth discussions on why and how investment in tourism industry can revitalize and mobilize global economic growth. Carrying on the success of the inaugural edition, this edition attracted over 1,000 delegates from many countries and cities around the world again, including delegations from more than 10 provinces and autonomous regions in the Mainland.

 

With global economic recovery entering critical juncture, it is highly essential for Asia and especially China, currently the key motor stimulating global economic recovery and growth, to foster broader regional cooperation with peers in the continent as well as the rest of the world. As an industry many countries strive to develop, tourism industry has increased its contributions to real economy in recent years, not only bringing considerable economic income and creating many job opportunities, but also giving rise to tourism-related industries and driving their development. This leads to full realization of industrial diversification among regional economies and advancement toward the goal of long-term sustainable development.

 

Mr. Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of The National Committee of The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Forum Chairman, remarked, "The Global Tourism Economy Forum firmly believes tourism is an essential driving force for economic growth. The Forum capitalizes on the industry's stimulating and integrated characteristics to establish a high-level platform for exchange and communication across industries, sectors and regions."

 

Mr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of Macau SAR, stated, "The Global Tourism Economy Forum has invited tourism industry elites to come together for quality and in-depth discussions under the theme 'Regenerate our Economies: Invest in Travel and Tourism'. We believe the accomplishment of the Forum will create a positive impact on Macau along her path of becoming a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure and boost the city's tourism development."

 

Mr. Su Rong, Vice Chairman of The National Committee of The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, indicated, "The GTE-Forum establishes a high-end international exchange platform, gathering industry leaders and numerous experts around the world to share their experience, to discuss tourism issues and to explore industry prospect. This will definitely create new cooperative opportunities among tourism stakeholders, so are excellent opportunities for mutual development between tourism and tourism-related industries, thus offering a new bright spot and new idea to the economic growth of Macau and the rest of the world."

 

Following the Opening Ceremony, representatives of the Forum's supporting units, including Mr. Li Lu, Vice Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce; Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO; Mr. Michael Frenzel, Chairman of WTTC，Mr. Du Jiang, Vice Chairman of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and Mr. João Manuel Costa Antunes, Chairman of PATA, attended the Declaration from Supporting Units session. Declarations were made to combine efforts from government, enterprises, tourism and related sectors through international exchange and collaboration in order to achieve tourism and economic cooperation across industries, sectors and regions, and to revitalize the global economy ultimately.

 

After the declaration ceremony, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between UNWTO and the Forum's coordinator, Global Tourism Economy Research Centre under the witness of various governmental officials and tourism leaders. With the memorandum, the two entities agreed to conduct joint research into the issues with great potential from the Forum's discussions in order to provide effective solutions and advance perspectives for decision-makers in the industry. Meanwhile, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People's Government, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region People's Government and the People's Government of Guizhou Province signed tripartite collaborative agreements respectively with Global Tourism Economy Research Centre and China Chamber of Tourism in order to strengthen their tourism exchange and cooperation with domestic and foreign entities.

 

As the first panel discussion in the Forum, Ministerial Roundtable in Collaboration with UNWTO commenced under the topic "How to make 1.8 billion international tourists a reality by 2030". The session explored how Asian and European government, through implementing related policies, can grasp the opportunities of strengthening mutual tourism cooperation to support industry growth, tackle imminent tourism issues and remove potential barriers which keep tourism from growing. Moderated by Mr. Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor of CBS News from the United States, this session lined up ministerial officials including Mr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia; Mr. Du Jiang, Vice Chairman of China National Tourism Administration; Ms. Mari Elka Pangestu, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia; Mr. Adolfo Mesquita Nunes, Secretary of State of Tourism of Portugal; and Mr. Hồ Anh Tuấn, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism of Vietnam.

 

To strengthen its role as a springboard facilitating tourism business, the Forum arranged three tourism investment presentations for Mainland China and overseas markets, aiming to inspire investors with new ideas on tourism investment. The sessions began with PRC Provincial Governors Presentation, by which Mr. Nur Bekri, Chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; Mr. Chen Wu, Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Ms. He Xiqing, Vice Governor of Hainan Province and Mr. Meng Qiliang, Vice Governor of Guizhou Province shared the most updated trade and investment information from their respective regions and provinces; this was followed by Spain Tourism Technologies Presentation with Mr. Antonio López de Ávila, Chairman of SEGITTUR (The State Society for Innovation Management and Tourism Technologies) presenting new opportunities arisen from technology-driven tourism innovations under the topic "Spanish Know How - Tourism Technologies". Portugal Presentation was then held under the topic "Portugal - Tourism Destination" , with Mr. Adolfo Mesquita Nunes, Secretary of State of Tourism of Portugal sharing the latest tourism market trends in Portugal with attendees.

 

This edition has also enriched its investment element by holding a series of presentations and workshops for business matching between domestic and foreign enterprises to facilitate direct networking between overseas investors and Mainland tourism industry partners. The Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government hosted a grand welcome dinner for the Forum's domestic and overseas attendees at Grand Hyatt Macau, City of Dreams tonight, extending wishes that the two-day discussions will inspire more creative ideas and innovations on global tourism development.

 

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About the Global Tourism Economy Forum

Hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government, co-organized by the China Chamber of Tourism under the authorization of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and coordinated by the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, the Global Tourism Economy Forum is a prominent annual event for the global tourism industry. In 2012, the Inaugural Forum attracted over 1,000 delegates from 34 countries and cities all over the world. The Forum aims at establishing a platform for domestic and overseas exchange and cooperation, fostering and promoting integrated development in tourism and service industries, creating better investment prospects and deepening tourism cooperation, thus bringing new opportunities of economic development for China and the world.

 



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