Gov’t signs protocol with national tourism organization

The MGTO head Helena de Senna Fernandes and a China National Tourism Administration representative sign the agreement

China’s National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and the MSAR government signed a protocol yesterday to set up a joint working committee aiming to accelerate the progress of Macau as it develops into a world tourism and leisure center.
“The content of the protocol mainly covers key tasks such as establishing a tourism joint working committee, formulating work rules, organizing joint publicity and promotion strategies, maintaining exchanges and cooperation between the mainland and Macau, industry administration, policy research, and regional cooperation,” said the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO).
CNTA chairman Li Jinzao said that the protocol is of high significance and will play a notable role in promoting Macau’s sustainable development as well as its transformation into an internationally-renowned center for tourism and leisure.
He recognized that Macau, Hong Kong and Zhuhai have become connecting tourism areas due to  their traditional economic cooperation zones. He thus suggested that the MSAR could continue to preserve its unique characteristics and irreplaceable historical and cultural resources while seeking to complement the offerings of the other two territories.
Following the signing of the protocol, Chief Executive Chui Sai On and the Minister had a meeting where they exchanged views on how to more actively push for Macau’s touristic development. A seminar was also held with speakers from local and national research institutions.
Chui said that the new protocol is conductive to such a mission as it serves to further ascertain what work needs to be done.
“The MSAR government will, in accordance with instructions from the Central Government, strive to build ‘one center, one platform,’ and promote diversified overall development,” he mentioned in a press release, adding that Macau’s tourism authorities have been striving to identify sources of revenue other than Chinese visitors. BY