Global Tourism Economy Forum | GTEF will invite European Union to be ‘partner region’

Alexis Tam speaking at the closing ceremony

The sixth edition of the Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) ended yesterday with a ceremony attended by the Chief Executive, Chui Sai On, and the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture and Executive Chairman of GTEF, Alexis Tam. Next year, the European Union will be invited to be a “partner region.”

In his closing speech, Tam remarked that the widening scope of participation in the Forum demonstrates its increasing influence.

The Secretary also emphasized the commitment to pursuing the vision of building an advanced international tourism platform that brings together decision makers and leaders of the global tourism industry.

“The Forum has underscored the remarkable role of our city in the region. Not only is Macau eagerly seizing the opportunity of the Belt and Road Initiative, we are also a core member in China’s strategic planning of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area development,” Tam said. “We task ourselves to enhance the synergy effect these national projects will play with our own positioning as the world center of tourism and leisure.”

Also at the closing ceremony, GTEF’s vice chairman and secretary-general, Pansy Ho, said, “With political will, psychological consensus and mutual trust, regional collaboration can create a sustainable ecosystem likened to a spider web.”

According to a statement issued yesterday by the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, the event brought together around 1,500 ministerial officials of tourism and related sectors, industry leaders, experts, scholars and participants from across the globe.

During the GTEF, the World Tourism Organization and the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre presented their fourth annual joint research report of Asia Tourism Trends. The 2017 report analyzes the prospect of future tourism development in Asia, with the hope of guiding decision makers and industry leaders in their formulation of long-term development plans.