Macau Business Daily:Global Tourism Forum kicks off

GTEF kicked off here today. The first Asia Tourism Trends report will be one of the highlights of this year’s Global Tourism Economy Forum. The trend report was conducted by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC).
One of the highlights of this year’s Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) was the release of the Joint Annual report on Asia Tourism Trend, conducted by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC).


According to the report, Asia and the Pacific has seen strong growth in inbound tourism across the region, receiving some 248 million international tourist arrivals in 2013, about 23% of the world’s total. According to UNWTO’s long-term forecasts, this share is expected to reach 30% by 2030, a percentage equivalent to 535 million international tourists.
The two entities leading the research also hope to promote tourism as an economic driver, promoting discussions and debates, and effectuate reform in policies and practices.


In his address at the opening ceremony of GTEF yesterday, the Chairman of the Forum, also the Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Edumud Ho Hau Wah, said “Tourism is defined as the fifth strategic pillar industry of the Country’s Twelfth Five-Year Plan and an indispensable element for building the new MSR Economic Belt. Global elites in tourism and related industries will leverage on the Forum as a platform for collective discussions and high-level dialogue, discussing tourism as a driving force for building the new Maritime Silk Road and exploring new directions for the new growth momentum of the global economy. This can extend the influence of the tourism economy to various regions and aspects for achieving reciprocal benefits.”
Chief Executive Chui Sai On said in his speech that the theme of this year’s edition of GTEF is meaningful and contemporary.


“Looking back into our history, Macao was one of the major coastal ports along the Maritime Silk Road; it also functioned as an exchange channel for different civilizations in the past,” he said. ”This latest edition of the Forum will unfold a series of profound discussions on the Maritime Silk Road in response to the demand for a greater realm for international trade and commerce. It also meets the trend of the times in fostering cooperation across Asia and promoting global peace and development.”


A series of topical panels will begin today, including the ‘Face to Face, Ministers and Private Sector CEOs’ session and the ‘Dialogue with Travel & Tourism Leaders by China Daily’ session. A Tourism Presentation and Scenery Pictures Exhibition by Jiangxi and Shandong are also on display at The Venetian Macao.


A presentation by Kazakhstan, Fujian Province Dance Drama – ‘Dreams Seeking the Silk Sea Route’, GTE-Forum 2015 Partner Country Presentation and the Networking Reception organised by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) comprise some of the other programmes.


The event is hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government with support from the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO).

http://macaubusinessdaily.com/Economy/Global-Tourism-Forum-kicks