(5 June 2013, Macau) – A press conference to launch the second edition of Global Tourism Economy Forum ("GTE-Forum" or "the Forum"), hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government, co-organised by the China Chamber of Tourism under the authorisation of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and coordinated by the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, was announced at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre on 5 June, 2013. The GTE-Forum this year will again gather key decision-makers in the global tourism industry to share ideas and generate solutions on how the industry can continue to positively impact the world economy. The second edition of GTE-Forum will be held at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre from 17-19 September 2013. Under the theme "Regenerate our Economies: Invest in Travel and Tourism", this edition of the Forum explores how tourism industry plays a vital role in critical moments of current economic recovery. This year, GTE-Forum aims at bringing together more global leaders of political and economic sectors, ministers of tourism, provincial governors and officials from China and experts from the finance and investment industries to share their ideas on how tourism-related industries has become and will continue to be the economic growth drivers amidst opportunities that have resulted from a huge myriad of consolidation, acquisitions, and new partnerships in the global markets. The Forum serves as an Effective International Exchange Platform
With tourism being the pillar of Macau's economy and global economic recovery, the role of this Forum is particularly significant. Ms. Cheung So Mui Cecília, Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government, said, "Macau has been closely following the Central Government's Twelve-Five Year Plan to establish the city as the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure and a regional commerce and service platform; Macau's success in hosting the inaugural Global Tourism Economy Forum has fully demonstrated the respective strengths and advantages that Macau possesses," she added, "With global tourism industry achieved impressive growth albeit continuing economic challenges, we expect the GTE-Forum can seek for more innovative ideas, once again broaden our horizons, gather insights from tourism heavyweights, experts and scholars and explore how tourism industry can drive for new economic growth." Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office addressed in her speech, "Macau has been a prominent gateway for and served as a platform of Mainland China. Macau's commitment to organize three consecutive Global Tourism Economy Forums allows the city to fully play its role as the gateway and platform between China and the World, which further enhances Macau's status as the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure." Expressing her gratitude to all the sectors for their support, Ms. Pansy Ho, Chairman of Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTE-Forum, indicated that she expects the Forum to unleash its strengths as a platform of idea exchange and as a springboard for the promotion of multilateral cooperation, and the generation of more extensive development opportunities for tourism and related industries in Macau, China and other countries, aiming at driving overall economic growth. Ms. Pansy Ho said, "The success of the inaugural GTE-Forum goes far beyond what we had achieved in the three-day forum. What we are most proud of is the success of subsequent business networking activities initiated and organized by the Forum, such as the Chinese Private Entrepreneur Delegation visit in Portugal and Spain. This clearly demonstrates the Forum's capability as a platform to bring about cross-region, cross-industry exchange and cooperation; while it strategically positions Macau as the regional hub of the convention and exhibition industry, showcasing Macau as the gateway between China and the rest of the world. The second edition of GTE-Forum has been designed to emphasize the element of business matching. Several business matching sessions, presentations and workshops for both Chinese and foreign enterprises and organisations have been created, enabling Chinese enterprises to follow the national strategy of "bringing in investment and resources, and going out to learn and invest", explore investment and development opportunities for tourism-related industries of China and other countries, and promote cross-industry interactive development, thus driving overall economic growth." Top tourism organizations offer continued support by hosting their own respective sessions at the Forum This edition of GTE-Forum has a wealth of highlights, including the Ministerial Round Table, in collaboration with UNWTO, with tourism ministers of European and Asian countries speaking on the critical issue of "Travel Facilitation"; the WTTC Session: Points of View from International Private Sector Leaders and the PATA Session: Points of View from Asia Pacific Leaders, with renowned global leaders of the tourism industry proposing creative solutions to regenerate our economies; and the China's Perspective session focusing on private enterprises of China and how the Chinese industry leaders achieve their mission of "Go Global". This edition's GTE-Forum is also enriched with an investment element through business-matching sessions, examining market trends and sharing investment strategies, and essentially lining up a broad range of opportunities of cooperation between source of funds and source of deals. Mr. Shao Qiwei, Chairman of National Tourism Administration of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Mr. Michael Frenzel, Chairman of Executive Board, TUI AG and Chairman of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Mr. David Scowsill, President and CEO of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Mr. Martin Craigs, CEO of Pacific Asia Travel Association are among the key speakers of this edition's GTE-Forum. Furthermore, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macau SAR, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macau SAR, National Tourism Adminstration of the People's Republic of China, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Macau Government Tourist Office will offer their continued support and actively participate in the Forum. The inaugural GTE-Forum attracted over 1,000 representatives from 34 countries and regions as well as delegations from 22 provinces and cities of Mainland China. Riding on the success of the first Forum, the second edition of GTE-Forum will analyze the current tourism and economic trend with more effective and insightful approach.
