Global Tourism Economy Research Centre Established in Macau

On Saturday, the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre held its inauguration ceremony at the Macau Convention & Exhibition Center.

 Over 100 dignitaries, including political leaders from China and the Macau SAR, and business leaders from the tourism and related industries gathered together to witness and celebrate the official establishment of The Global Tourism Economy Research Centre.

The tourism industry is playing a pivotal role in the global economy. It is estimated that tourism will contribute a staggering six trillion US$ in 2011, equal to 9% of the world’s GDP, as well as creating 260 million jobs worldwide. With the global economic shift towards Asia, the stable growth of Asia, notably China, will be the impetus for the world’s economic development.

 Based in Macau, the Centre is an independent, non-profit international research organization with a special purview on tourism and travel development in Asia as it relates and contributes to positive and sustainable global economic growth.

Attuned to what is happening in the region through research and exchange platforms, the Center promises to openly share with government bodies and travel and tourism-related stakeholders how Asia’s development will positively impact the globe.

The Centre’s insight on the tourism economy and its progressive and unique approach to aggregating and analyzing research from global authoritative bodies seeks to deliver solutions and advance ideas that will lead to the sustainable development of travel and tourism, in the region and around the world.

Besides the research, the Centre is actively preparing for its first "Global Tourism Economic Forum" to be held at Macau in mid-2012. As an annual flagship event for the Centre, the Global Tourism Economic Forum is aiming to attract some of the world's most influential leaders, industry leaders and academics as participants.

As the chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, Ms. Pansy Ho expressed tremendous optimism towards the set up of the Centre, saying, “Asia has already become the major growth driver of global tourism. With Macau being a strategically located Asian city, the Research Centre dedicates itself to following closely the development in Asia, in order to deliver cutting-edge research and analyses to its global audience. For The Centre, the key event slated for next year will be the gathering of influential leaders worldwide in Macau, in which these world figures will examine the challenges and opportunities within the global economy as well as tourism industry for Asia and the world.”

Ms. Pansy Ho added, “The Centre will be instrumental in enhancing co- operation between Macau businesses and organizations in promoting tourism. By grasping the opportunities ahead, the Macau tourism industry will be better equipped in steering and developing diversification, ultimately optimizing and internationalizing the tourism economy.”

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