Leaders share positive view of tourism’s future

Tourism and its related industries are playing an important part in economic recovery in the post-pandemic world, officials, business leaders, and experts worldwide said on Thursday at a high-profile tourism forum in Macao.

The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) is a leading international exchange platform designed to promote the sustainable development of global tourism.

Themed “Destination 2030: Unlocking the Power of Tourism for Business and Development” this year, the forum features an array of panel sessions, keynote speeches, fireside chats, and special interviews.

The four-day forum is hosted by the Secretariat of Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region government, in collaboration with the Madrid-based United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

The opening ceremony started with a keynote speech by the forum’s chairman, Ho Hau-wah, who is also a vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the nation’s top political advisory body.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said the forum is set to be the premier platform for cooperation between public and private sectors.

“Today, we shape the course of the sectors’ future around the pillars of jobs, education, innovation and investments,” the UN official said.

Lei Wai-nong, secretary for economy and finance of the Macao SAR and executive chairman of the forum, said Macao has become one of the core platforms for its prime assets such as tourism under the advantages of “one country, two systems”.

New strategic work has been put into building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, he noted.

“Every year, the Macao SAR government collaborates with GTERC to come up with a forward-thinking theme for the forum in line with the latest situation and to produce an innovative format and program,” Lei added.

“After a decade of hard work, the Macao SAR government has developed GTEF into a major event for the international tourism industry and a signature brand of Macao,” he added.

Strengthening cooperation

Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche said Italy and China are continuing to work together, not just in terms of tourism, but also in culture and other areas. Italy, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is this year’s partner country at GTEF.

“Our two peoples are closer to each other than ever,” she said. “Italy is one of the favorite tourist destinations for Chinese tourists. After a three-year absence, Chinese tourists are coming back.”

China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has included GTEF in the Sino-Italian Cultural Exchange Mechanism to consolidate mutual learning between Chinese and foreign cultures.

Qiu Xiaoping, vice-chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, said this year marks the 10th anniversary of the GTEF and is an important year of rapid recovery following the pandemic.

Tourism still faces many challenges, he said, “but we can see the industry has a unique advantage and also it can help mold employment and enrich people’s spirits.

“It actually has become a very important driving force after the pandemic,” Qiu said.

Shanghai, which was designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Design in 2010, is the featured city of this year’s GTEF. Shanghai Vice-Mayor Liu Duo said Shanghai is on the path to unlock the potential of tourism for business and development and to promote the prosperity of tourism around the globe.

“Shanghai has been tapping into its rich resources to develop its culture and tourism events.

“We want to build channels through which we could talk to other countries and empower the development of our economy,” Liu said.