The 8th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the 45th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting, hosted by the National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and organized by the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, will be held in Macao from 8 to 14 September. At a press conference held by the Macao SAR Government today, the Secretary-General of the Macao organizing committee for the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, Mr Alexis Tam, disclosed that the preparation work is progressing smoothly and the Government is well prepared for the event. Participants include 21 APEC economies and numerous international bodies The ministerial meeting is to be held at the Macao East Asian Games Dome International Conference Center on 12 and 13 September 2014. Participants will include the tourism ministers or their representatives from the 21 APEC economies as well as representatives from 10 international organizations such as the APEC Secretariat, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). It is anticipated that Macao will receive more than 500 delegates for the event, which is being organized with a budget of 75 million patacas. With the theme "Exploration of Asia Pacific Tourism Cooperation and Future Development", the tourism ministerial meeting will focus on exchanges between and discussions concerning integration of Asia Pacific tourism markets, facilitating transformation and growth of the tourism industry, promoting intelligent tourism with modern technology and interconnection of Asia Pacific travel, and encouraging low-carbon development and co-operation between tourism operators. The ministerial meeting will conclude with a discussion to pass the "Macao Declaration". In accordance with APEC practice, the 45th Tourism Working Group Meeting will be held prior to the Tourism Ministerial Meeting, in the Four Seasons Hotel Macao, from 8 to 11 September. Opportunity to promote Macao's features and image The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) will also arrange tours for the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the 45th Tourism Working Group Meeting participants, with itineraries covering the landmarks of the World Heritage - Historic Center of Macao, to showcase the 400-year cultural heritage of Macao to the members of the APEC economies and guests. A tour around Taipa and Coloane will also be organized for attendants and guests of the tourism working group meeting so they can experience the customs and traditions of the Islands District. A fireworks display will be held on the evening of 13 September. The MGTO will also promote the event through co-operating with Greater China, overseas and local television stations, online networks and printed media, and distribute news and updates about the meeting via global tourism websites and international magazines. Various publicity channels will also be used in Macao to update local residents and visitors on this international event. Official website for the event to be launched soon The official website of the 8th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting https://www.apec-tourism.gov.mo will be launched at 9 am (Beijing time) on Friday (11 July). The main contents will include program schedules, meeting venues, media information and travel information. The website will also feature a registration system, to enable APEC economy members and delegates to register online. Media center to serve journalists The ministerial meeting will attract journalists from various local, mainland and overseas media. All media organizations covering the events may register online immediately after the official website is launched at 9 am on 11 July. The closing date for registrations is 11 August. Media organizations can download the registration form from the official website, fill in the required information and submit the application by e-mail, together with attachments of required photos in the required formats and electronic copies of personal identity documents, to media@apec-tourism.gov.mo. During the 8th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, the Government Information Bureau will set up a media center in the Conrad Macao Hotel Cotai Central. The media center will open from 12 to 14 September, offering 160 working seats, essential facilities, and light refreshments. The organizer will also provide a shuttle bus service between the media center and the event venues to facilitate the media in covering most of the activities. Significance of Macao's role as organizer With China serving as the APEC host country for the first time in 13 years; it is of great significance for Macao to host the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting. This will be the highest-level multilateral economic summit hosted by China since its new leadership assumed office. The choice of Macao as the meeting venue reflects the full support of the Central People's Government for the Macao SAR Government. Through the organization of this ministerial meeting, APEC economies will have a better understanding of the successful implementation of "one country, two systems" in Macao, and enrich their knowledge of Chinese and Western cultural heritage in Macao. This will help foster the future co-operation and development of Macao and the APEC economies and generate momentum for shaping Macao as a world tourism and leisure center. The Secretary-General of the Macao organizing committee, Mr Alexis Tam, said the ministerial meeting is one of the most important events to mark the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region, and a golden opportunity to promote Macao's image to the world. The Government will seize this opportunity, when tourism ministers from various countries are gathered in Macao, to let them appreciate the diversity of Macao, with the hope of exploring more potential co-operation and scope for development. Chief Executive leads preparation work Last November, while attending the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation Between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in Macao, Vice Premier Wang Yang announced that the Central People's Government had given approval for Macao to organize the 8th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting in 2014. Early this year, to make sound preparations for organizing the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and proceed with all related arrangements as soon as possible, Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On signed an Executive Order establishing an organizing committee for the 8th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting. He personally leads work related to the meeting, promoting co-operation among all government departments and ensuring their devotion to the task. After six months of intensive preparations, the Macao organizing committee has held numerous co-ordination meetings with the National Tourism Administration and relevant departments, to discuss the detailed arrangements for the ministerial meeting. Encouraging results have been achieved in the preparation work on venue arrangements, hospitality for visiting delegations, media coverage and security issues. Officials attending today's press conference included the Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office, Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, and the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Victor Chan Chi Ping.