Global Travel and Tourism Industry in Macau for GTEF 2015

[HD video below] Some of the biggest names in the broad reaching travel and tourism industry are currently in Macau for the Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF), an annual event which is taking place 12-14 October 2015 at the Venetian Macau.

The GTEF 2015, hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), has once again attracted ministerial officials and tourism leaders from different destinations around the world to contribute ideas for fostering global tourism and economic development.

The theme of GTEF 2015 is “Belt and Road Initiative: Unleashing the New Dynamics of Cultural Tourism”.

“The fourth edition of GTEF once again receives enthusiastic support and feedback from international and Mainland provincial and regional governments as well as from public and private organizations worldwide,” said Pansy Ho, Founder, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF. “This clearly demonstrates GTEF’s influence on global tourism and related industries as well as its role as a key platform that connects the East and West. The Belt and Road Initiative advocates openness, inclusiveness and mutual learning between nations; in light of this, GTEF suggests countries along the Belt and Road to transform their unique cultural heritage into contemporary tourism resources through developing cultural tourism, such that there can be a deeper understanding as well as closer exchanges and collaboration among different countries. In consequence, the tourism industry can be infused with a sustainable energy and create even greater benefits.”

The GTEF 2015 has successfully lined up the Pacific Alliance countries – Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru – as the Featured Partner Countries, not only extending the forum’s cooperative network to Latin America, but also making a timely response to the latest trends of fostering Sino-Latin American economic and trade relations.

Zhejiang Province, a key strategic province along the Maritime Silk Road, will also join the forum as the Featured Province and showcase the cultural power of the Belt and Road through the prominent Poetry and Painting of Zhejiang exhibition.

GTEF 2015 will continue its collaboration with UNWTO to present the Face to Face, Ministers and Private Sector CEOs session again, gathering ministerial officials from the Pacific Alliance as well as Asian countries and regions to join in a direct dialogue with global business leaders.

The forum will also present three panel discussions on pressing global tourism issues in Understanding Chinese Consumers Behavior and Chinese Overseas Investment (presented by Bank of America Merrill Lynch), Exploring the Full Dimension of Cultural Tourism – Cultural Heritage and Creative Living Culture (presented by media partner), and Driving Cultural Awareness through Social Media (presented by Pacific Asia Travel Association & Connecting Travel).

The Global Tourism Economy Research Centre and UNWTO will use GTEF 2015 to present the results of their second joint research project, UNWTO/GTERC Annual Report 2015 on Asia Tourism Trends.

In addition, business matching and networking programs have been organized to provide GTEF attendees with ample opportunities to discuss and forge new partnerships.

To date, GTEF has attracted over 3,000 participants from 45 countries and regions, welcomed 49 provincial and municipal delegations from China, and presented 130 world renowned speakers including government ministers, business leaders and scholars on its stage.

Pansy Ho Setting the Scene at GTEF 2015

See also: Air Macau - HD Video Interview with Chairman, Mr. Zheng Yan and other: HD Videos.

Travel News Asia is at GTEF 2015 so do check back as there is much more coverage to come, including HD video of some of the sessions and exclusive HD video interviews.