The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, meets with the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Mr Zurab Pololikashvili.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said developing new models of tourism, such as sport-related tourism, would help advance Macao’s status as a world centre of tourism and leisure.
Mr Chui mentioned the topic on Tuesday (23 October) during a meeting in Macao with the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Mr Zurab Pololikashvili, prior to the opening ceremony of the Global Tourism Economy Forum • Macao 2018.
The inauguration in 2012 of the Macao-based Forum had assisted the city in creating a solid foundation for further development of its own tourism industry. With the continued support of UNWTO for the event, the Government was confident the Forum could produce fresh benefits for the whole industry, said Mr Chui.
In addition, Mr Chui expressed his gratitude to UNWTO for its long-term support to Macao so far, not only via partnership in the Forum, but also via its collaboration with Macao’s Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) in promoting education for the tourism sector.
Macao was a renowned tourism destination, and IFT – in particular its Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training – played an important role locally and in the wider world regarding provision of education and training in the field of tourism, Mr Chui stated.
Secretary-General Pololikashvili said Macao was a fascinating tourism destination, and noted the launch that day of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge would promote further development of the local tourism industry.
The Secretary-General also spoke highly of the Chief Executive’s support in relation to the organising of the Forum, adding that UNWTO would continue supporting the Forum and promoting it, to ensure its worldwide influence.
Other UNWTO officials attending the meeting with Mr Chui in Macao were: Executive Director, Mr Zhu Shanzhong; and the Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Mr Xu Jing.
The Global Tourism Economy Forum • Macao 2018 is organised by the Macao Government, with support from the UNWTO. The two-day event takes its theme as “Strategic Partnership in a New Era, Rising Momentum for a Shared Future”.