Head of Training and Quality Management Department of MGTO Doris Leong (third from right) with the trainees
Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) joins hands with the Supporting Office to the Permanent Secretariat to the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries (Macao) to unfold their tourism training program in 2016 for civil servants from tourism offices of Portuguese-speaking countries. The program aims to familiarize the foreign trainees with Macao’s tourism development and MGTO’s regular operation in order to further exchange and mutual learning while assisting the involved countries to cultivate talent in the field of tourism. Around 20 government tourism personnel from Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, East Timor and Angola are coming to Macao during different periods between April and July in 2016 for training and internship opportunities at MGTO. The first group of trainees will undergo training starting from today (11 April). The departments in MGTO in charge of related training are as follow: Training and Quality Management Department, Organizational Planning and Development Department, Communication and External Relations Department, Destination Marketing Department, Licensing and Inspection Department, Tourism Product and Events Department as well as Administration and Finance Department. The training program also includes field trips to local attractions around the World Heritage site, the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), various tourism facilities and so forth. By carrying out the training program, the Office hopes to enhance mutual learning and exchange between Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries in the field of tourism, while assisting the involved countries to train tourism professionals. The Macao Special Administrative Region Government is forging ahead with the goal to transform the city into a “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure” and a “commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries”. The SAR Government is also dedicated to unleashing Macao’s unique competitive advantages and fostering moderate diversification and sustainable development of the local economy. In line with Macao’s development goal, MGTO makes a persistent effort not only to enhance cooperation in tourism with its regional and international partners but also to promote support to Portuguese-speaking countries. Back in 2010, MGTO signed the memoranda of understanding on cooperation in tourism with Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique, and following that, with East Timor and Angola in 2013 and 2015 respectively. Between 2012 and 2015, MGTO has trained a total of 73 government tourism personnel from the above Portuguese-speaking countries. This press release is available at: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/