Acting Chief Executive of Macao SAR and Secretary for Administration and Justice, Chan Hoi Fan, delivers her opening remarks
The annual renowned international event for the tourism industry, Global Tourism Economy Forum • Macau 2016 (“GTEF” or “the Forum”) was inaugurated today (15 October) at 3:00 p.m. at Studio City Macau. Themed as “The Growing Consumer Class – Rethinking and Reshaping the Future Tourism Landscape”, the fifth edition gathers over 120 ministerial officials, leaders of globally‐leading corporations, as well as experts and scholars to zero in on how this rising resourceful and tech-savvy group is more than ever the increasingly influential force in the tourism industry. This edition is attended by over 1000 delegates from many countries and cities around the world, including delegations from the Forum’s Partner Country France and Partner City Beijing Municipality, and covered by more than 150 international and local media representatives. The opening ceremony was officiated by dignitaries including Mr. Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and GTEF Chairman; Mr. Wang Qinmin, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce and Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Ms. Chan Hoi Fan, Acting Chief Executive of Macao Special Administrative Region and Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macao SAR Government; Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Mr. Li Jinzao, Chairman of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Mr. Matthias Fekl, French Minister for Tourism; Ms. Cheng Hong, Vice Mayor of Beijing Municipal Government; Ms. Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities; Mr. Gusztáv Bienerth, Government Commissioner for Tourism of Hungary; Mr. U Ohn Maung, Minister of Hotels and Tourism of Myanmar; Mr. Yao Jian, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR; Mr. Ye Dabo, Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR and Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Mr. Long Yongtu, Former Vice Minister, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of the People’s Republic of China and Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Mr. Matías Santos Crocsel, Chief of Advisor of the Ministry of Tourism of Argentina; Mr. Tith Chantha, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia; Mr. Timur Toktabayev, Vice Minister of Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Mr. Savankhone Razmountry, Vice Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Ms. Anastancia Ndhlovu, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Zimbabwe; Mr. Liang Jianyong, Vice Governor of Fujian Province, China; Dr. Alexis Tam, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government and Executive Chairman of GTEF; Ms. Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF; Mr. Gerald Lawless, Chairman of World Travel & Tourism Council and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, and Mr. Andrew Jones, Chairman of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Honorary Vice Chairman of GTEF, among others. Mr. Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and GTEF Chairman, remarked, “Tourism is an economic activity beneficial to the society, an industry peacefully bridging the world together, and a core industry promoting regional cooperation and connectivity under our Nation’s Belt and Road Initiative. Nowadays, our Nation’s ‘Mass Entrepreneurship and Innovation’ policy further unleashes the society’s enormous innovative energy, and leverages the rapid Internet and technological development to create the New Normal for enriching the sustainable development of tourism economy, and bring unprecedented changes to the traditional tourism ecosystem for fostering a deepened and widened tourism development.” Ms. Chan Hoi Fan, Acting Chief Executive of Macao SAR and Secretary for Administration and Justice, stated, “2016 is the year for the Macao SAR Government to map out its first five-year development plan for the city and start putting it into practice. In order to transform Macao into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, we have to closely combine and fully unleash our cultural and geographical advantages as well as the privileges we enjoy under the policy of ‘One Country, Two Systems’. In light of this, we are eager to push forward regional and international tourism cooperation based upon our sound cooperative relations with different destinations along the way, and make new contributions to foster tourism and economic growth in the region and the world.” “To enhance sustainable tourism development, we need tourism innovations which go in line with the global trends nowadays. GTEF hence keeps abreast with the latest prospect and invites heavyweights and professionals from different sectors to share their wisdom and foresight. I hope that this Forum edition not only will offer inspirations for tourism leaders, experts and scholars from around the world, but also will propose a clear direction and practical suggestions which will enhance sustainable economic and tourism development in Macao and the world.” Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, stated in his congratulatory message, “Macao never ceases to astonish me. It is a wonderful melting pot for cultures and traditions of East and West, fused into a dynamic and forward-thinking city. The Global Tourism Economy Forum and UNWTO are strong partners and I am delighted to be with you all again. This annual forum is an opportunity to look into the opportunities, challenges and economic benefits facing tourism development in Asia and the Pacific. I always praise this forum for its unique ability to bring Asia to the world and the world to Asia.＂ As an integral part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Big Bay Area, Macao has been an East-meets-West cultural hub which is dedicated to promoting moderate diversification of its tourism-driven economy as the city forges ahead with the goal to become a “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure” as well as a “commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries”. Offering key reference and directions for the development of the global tourism and tourism-related industries, GTEF demonstrates Macao's capabilities to organize international mega events as a major international platform across regions, sectors and industries. In addition, the Forum serves to consolidate and enhance Macao's status as an international tourism city and strengthen its positioning as a travel destination in the region ideal for multi-destination visitation. It also reinforces the foundation for Macao and its neighbors in the region to achieve a win-win situation and tap into the new possibilities for advanced development. Following the opening ceremony, the European Travel Commission (ETC) signed a cooperative agreement with the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC), further extending the Forum’s coverage of international cooperation. France and Beijing as featured partners For the first time, GTEF has invited two world-famous destinations to be its featured partners. Featured as GTEF’s partner country, France will bespeak its fascinating dimensions in different fields including tourism, investment, artistic and cultural tourism as well as promotion of trade and commerce during an array of sessions in the Forum. In addition, the Louvre Museum, the globally prestigious museum in France, will host a Fundraising Gala Dinner tomorrow (16 October) and a charity auction during the Dinner. Featured as GTEF’s partner city, the state capital Beijing Municipality will showcase its glamour as a cultural tourism destination through a mega exhibition, in addition to holding a destination presentation and a business matching session, etc. Launch of the first training programme GTEF is committed to contributing to the development of Macao into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure and promoting moderate diversification of the local economy. This year, GTEF has initiated its first MICE hospitality training programme. 20 participating students are trained in hospitality roles such as VIP guest reception and exhibition ambassador during GTEF 2016. Offering a rewarding experience, the training programme prepares the students for a future career in hospitality. GTEF has also published the “Experience Macau Travel Guide”, introducing delegates to the unique cultures and tourism resources in different districts across the city, to promote the development of community tourism in Macao and broaden GTEF’s positive impact to the community at large. Thought-provoking GTEF program This GTEF edition presents a comprehensive and thought-provoking program. In addition to the third Joint Annual Report on Asia Tourism Trends presented by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and GTERC, the Forum features a range of thematic sessions including its signature “Face to Face, Ministers and Private Sector CEOs” session in collaboration with UNWTO, where leadership from the public and private sectors will tackle the subject of “Harnessing the 1 Billion+ Opportunities”; and “GTEF 5th Anniversary Special Keynote - The Forces Shaping China's Economic Future”. Featuring GTEF’s partner country France, the session titled “France: Arts and Culture as Drivers of Tourism” will unveil discussions on how cultural and artistic festivities can attract visitation. Industry leaders will also share their insights in sessions including “Maximizing the Dualities of the Chinese Consumers”, “Embracing the Multi-faceted Chinese Travellers” and “Tourism and Technology: the Inseparable Duo”. Other sessions include “Youth Leadership Roundtable – Understanding the Millennial Consumer and Social Engagement”, “Urban Tourism Consumption Revolution”, and “Investment Workshop – The Burgeoning Consumer Class: Investing in a New Era”. For more information about the Forum, please visit www.gte-forum.com
