The 10th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) yesterday marked its return after over two years, with the event formally kicking off at the Galaxy International Convention Centre (GICC) in Cotai and welcoming global tourism and travel leaders from the public and private sectors.
Hosted by the Secretariat of Economy and Finance in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), this year’s forum also celebrates its 10th anniversary and is themed “Destination 2030: Unlocking the Power of Tourism for Business and Development”, which is based on the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Addressing yesterday’s attendees and guests, which included Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng and UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and GTEF Chairman Edmund Ho Hau Wah emphasised that the forum aims to encourage the world’s cultural and tourism industries to work together to strengthen the complementary advantages of tourism and other industries, and push forward the development of health and wellness, science and technology, culture and innovation, and creativity.
Edmund Ho also said that the forum “pragmatically promotes” the local government’s “solid ‘1+4’ diversified development strategy for Macau”… and “pushes forward the sustainable development of the tourism industry in the world”. He also said that “and we are not alone in this endeavour and at this historic movement. Let’s work together…to find opportunities to create prosperity.”
Secretary for Economy and Finance and GTEF Executive Chairman Lei Wai Nong said in his speech that Macau once again hosting the forum can be taken as an opportunity to showcase global tourism and the related industries, the progress it has made in the ordinary resumption of tourism and economic activities, as well as demonstrating the city’s strengths in organising conventions and exhibitions as the Best Convention City [in Asia], which attests that the tourism economy is “essential” to recovery and sustainable development.
Yesterday’s event also included speeches by Madrid-based Pololikashvili and Culture and Tourism Minister Hu Heping from Beijing, who is also GTEF’s Honorary Chairman, and Italy’s Minister of Tourism Daniela Garnero Santanchè, among others.
Italy is the forum’s partner country this time, while Shanghai is its “featured city.”
Pololikashvili said in his speech that “the forum is set to be a premier platform for cooperation between governments and the private sector in the area of tourism for development,” adding: “We can shape the course of the sector’s future around the pillars of jobs, education, innovation, and investments.”
Xinhua quoted Hu as saying in his speech that his “ministry hopes to capitalise on the forum to join hands with other countries to create a more open and inclusive environment for tourism development, continuously promote further opening up of [mainland] China’s tourism sector, make steady progress in facilitating people-to-people exchanges, and keep improving inbound travel services.”
The forum has welcomed nearly 12,700 attendees from over 90 countries and regions, along with 152 delegations from various parts of the mainland since its inaugural edition in 2012.
In addition to discussions and keynote speeches by government officials, industry leaders, decision-makers and scholars, the programme includes interviews, case studies and casual “fireside” dialogues as a new highlight.
Xinhua underlined that the forum aims to “discuss new ways of constructing a resilient, high-quality and people-orientated environment for the tourism industry in the new normal through innovative and sustainable international cooperation.”
More information on the forum, which runs through Sunday, can be found on https://gte-forum.com/en/homepage/
Secretary for Economy and Finance and GTEF Executive Chairman Lei Wai Nong delivers a speech during the opening session of the 10th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) yesterday at the Galaxy International Convention Centre (GICC) in Cotai.
Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and GTEF Chairman Ho Hau Wah addresses yesterday’s opening session of the four-day forum, part of which began on Wednesday. – Photos: Rui Pastorin
