Macau SAR Government Hosts Welcome Dinner to Celebrate the Opening of Global Tourism Economy Forum • Macau 2013

Global Tourism Economy Forum • Macau 2013 ("GTE-Forum" or "the Forum") successfully completed its first day sessions as the Ministerial Roundtable in Collaboration with UNWTO and the Presentation on Tourism And Investment by European Countries and PRC Provinces adjourned. Macau SAR Government hosted Welcome Dinner tonight to celebrate the opening of the Forum as well as to provide an opportunity for networking, exchange of idea and friendship building among attendees. The second edition of Global Tourism Economy Forum is 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. Themed as "Regenerate our Economies: Invest in Travel and Tourism", this edition of GTE-Forum has invited nearly 40 ministerial officials from different countries and private leaders from globally-renowned corporations, attracting over 1,000 delegates to join in-depth discussions on why and how investment in tourism industry can propel global economic growth. Cheong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government and Executive Chairman of Global Tourism Economy Forum addressed the dinner, "Tourism plays a vital role in global economic development with an active influence on economic growth and job opportunity increase. The tourism industry currently shows positive expansion whether in advanced or newly-developing economic entities. Different destinations around the world are actively exploring potentials in their tourism industry. As the host city of the first three editions of the GTE-Forum, Macau benefits well from the event's accomplishment. Through establishing an exchange platform again this year, we welcome all of you to inspire the Forum with insightful perspectives on the tourism industry's future prospect. Your ideas and visions will make a valuable reference for Macau and global tourism industry." Guests who attended the welcome dinner include 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. Li Lu, Vice Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce, Mr. Michael Frenzel, Chairman of World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Chairman of the Supervisory Board, TUI Germany Gmbh and TUIfly Gmbh, Mr. João Manuel Costa Antunes, Chairman of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Ms. Wang Ping, Chairman of China Chamber of Tourism. Foreign and provincial governmental officials include Mr. Hồ Anh Tuấn, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism of Vietnam; Mr. Adolfo Mesquita Nunes, Secretary of State of Tourism of Portugal, and Mr. Du Jiang, Vice Chairman of China National Tourism Administration, Ms. He Xiqing, Vice Governor of Hainan Province and Mr. Meng Qiliang, Vice Governor of Guizhou Province, etc.