Forum | Optimism over the future of global tourism

The kick-off ceremony of the Global Tourism Economic Forum

The fourth annual Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) kicked off in Macau yesterday, under the theme “Belt and Road Initiative: Unleashing the New Dynamics of Cultural Tourism.”
The forum, which is being hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture, aims to foster cultural tourism, explore development opportunities, and enhance international cooperation through dialogue and the synthesis of new ideas.
The opening ceremony for the three-day conference was held in the ballroom of the Venetian Macao. It featured welcoming speeches by a number of high-profile figures, including Chief Executive Chui Sai On, and Edmund Ho, the former Chief Executive of Macau and current Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
The CE stated that the global tourism industry is “facing immense opportunities and great challenges at the same time.” He added that he hopes that the forum “will open up new dimensions,” and that the practical advice that Macau and the global community take away from GTEF will contribute to sustainable tourism and economic development.
Edmund Ho commended the “bilateral people-to-people exchanges” taking place between China and Latin American countries, which have resulted in the creation of more opportunities for mutual economic development. Mr Ho explained that the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road has expanded its “ancient” route to include cooperation with countries in Latin America – the so-called “Pacific Alliance” consisting of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.
Both Mr Chui and Mr Ho asserted that Macau would have an important role to play in the new Maritime Silk Road, along with the other cities in the Guangdong Bay area. They acknowledged that Macau’s unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures is an asset in developing cultural tourism.
Mr Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, also presented a congratulatory message at the opening ceremony, offering his hopes for a productive forum and calling on Asian countries “to come together and jointly plan a future for cultural tourism.”
Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and Li Jinzao, Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration, presented keynote speeches, shortly before GTEF 2015 was officially launched by Pansy Ho, who acts as the Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the forum. Staff Reporter

pansy ho: cultural heritage turned into tourism resources

Pansy Ho has argued that this year’s conference “can play a role in catalyzing the transformation of cultural heritage into tourism resources, while helping to strike a sustainable balance.” Ms Ho noted that the event will showcase Zhejiang province, which is “one of China’s most important cultural and literary centers,” and Tianjin, which is an urban region. The final part of the forum will showcase the “Pacific Alliance” countries of Latin America.