Category: Latest Travel News

Singapore, Singapore, October 6, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / BWH Hotels, the leading global hospitality enterprise comprising WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels, has celebrated another win, with Best Western Hotels & Resorts voted as the “Best Midscale Hotel Chain – Asia Pacific” at the Travel Weekly Asia Readers’ Choice Awards.

Celebrated at a ceremonious event in Singapore on October 3, 2023, these awards honor the extraordinary travel suppliers in Asia Pacific who have distinguished themselves in the last 12 months. The winners were voted for by Travel Weekly Asia’s readership, which includes many of the region’s top travel agents and industry professionals.

“BWH Hotels continues to lead the travel industry in Asia Pacific with distinguished honors such as this Travel Weekly Asia Readers’ Choice Awards win,” commented Ron Pohl, President of International Operations, BWH Hotels. “These awards are a testament to our brand’s continued growth in the region and our commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences.”

“We are delighted to have been awarded this prestigious accolade for the ninth consecutive year,” said Mr. Olivier Berrivin, Vice President – APAC, BWH Hotels. “It is an acknowledgment of our consistency and long-running success in the region, and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.”

While BWH Hotels has grown into a global hospitality enterprise comprising 19 industry-leading brands, ranging from economy to luxury, the fact that Best Western Hotels & Resorts received the “Best Midscale Hotel Chain – Asia Pacific” award reflects how this brand has retained its reputation as the industry’s most trusted and respected provider of midscale hospitality.

For more information about BWH Hotels in Asia, please visit bestwesternasia.com

About BWH Hotels
BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay® Hotels. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*. With 19 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotels suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.
*Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The legacy of the World Tourism Day 2023 celebrations will live on in the shape of greater investments in the sector’s sustainability and a shared commitment to spread the benefits the sector delivers even more widely.

Hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the official celebrations welcomed more than 50 Ministers of Tourism alongside hundreds of high-level delegates from the public and private sectors. The day featured expert-led panels focused on key topics around this year’s theme of Tourism and Green Investments, with plans backed up with concrete actions as UNWTO announced several important new initiatives.

This year has been the biggest World Tourism Day ever, and we want to make sure it leaves the biggest impact too

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “This year has been the biggest World Tourism Day ever, and we want to make sure it leaves the biggest impact too. From Riyadh, we have joined our global sector around a pledge to promote new destinations, to diversify the economic and social benefits of tourism, and have announced a new school that will transform tourism education in the Middle East.”

Tourism Pledges to Open Minds

In Riyadh, Secretary-General Pololikashvili introduced “Tourism Opens Minds”, a landmark initiative designed to showcase the powerful role that tourism plays in bridging cultures and fostering peace and understanding. With UNWTO’s latest data indicating the sector is well on track to recover as much as 95% of pre-pandemic arrivals numbers by the end of 2023, Tourism Opens Minds is designed to ensure that this strong recovery is joined by a greater emphasis on tourists exploring less-visited destinations. The focus will be on:

• Making lesser-known destinations more accessible to all tourists and ensuring all visitors receive a warm welcome by host communities
• Promoting lesser-known destinations and actively working to make tourists visit them
• Working with governments and the private sector to encourage tourists themselves to be more open-minded in their choice of travel destination

To mark the launch, UNWTO unveiled a new symbol for the initiative, made up of the colours of the various flags of the world, and shared a pledge for the sector to unite around. A special pledge, to be supported by Governments, private sector leaders and tourists themselves, was shared with select delegates, calling on them to commit to promoting new and diverse travel destinations.

Investing in Tourism Education

To ensure that the World Tourism Day 2023 celebrations leave a lasting impact in Riyadh and across the wider region, UNWTO Secretary-General Pololikashvili joined with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb to announce a joint project focused on creating new generations of skilled tourism workers:

• The Riyadh School of Tourism and Hospitality will be a collaborative effort between UNWTO, the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and Qiddiya
• With 80% of all global tourism education programs currently focused on hotel operations, the Riyadh School will deliver learning for every part of the diverse sector.
• The School will offer eight different levels of educational programs including diplomas and certificates through to professional courses and courses at the Bachelors and Master’s degree level.

Cebu City, Philippines, September 29, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / BWH Hotels, the leading global hospitality network comprising WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels, has expanded its presence in the Philippines with the opening of SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Cebu City.

This brand-new midscale hotel is nestled in the center of Cebu City, surrounded by shops, restaurants and malls – including Robinsons Galleria Fuente which is just a short walk away. Attractions such as Magellan’s Cross, Basilica del Sto. Niño, and Fuente Osmeña Circle, one of the liveliest spots during the Sinulog Festival, are all easily accessible and Cebu International Port is also in close proximity.

The hotel features 63 modern and stylish rooms, all of which are fully equipped with comfortable beds, flat-screen cable TV, refreshing bathrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi and kitchen facilities, making them perfectly suited for business and leisure travelers alike. With a selection of connecting rooms and family rooms, SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Cebu City is also a great option for extended breaks in this dynamic city.

A bright and inviting onsite restaurant allows guests to savor local and international culinary delights for breakfast and throughout the day, complemented by exceptional service.

“The Philippines is a strategic market for BWH Hotels and we are delighted to introduce yet another outstanding midscale hotel to guests in the country. Our innovative SureStay concept enables us to bring international standards to the country, while also retaining the Philippines’ heartfelt local hospitality. We look forward to introducing domestic and international travelers to the wonders of Cebu City,” said Mr. Olivier Berrivin, Vice President – APAC, BWH Hotels.

SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Cebu City, will be BWH Hotels third SureStay hotel in the Philippines, following SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western AC LUXE Angeles City and SureStay Studio by Best Western Clarkview. BWH Hotels now operates a total of 8 properties in the country – two WorldHotels, three Best Western branded properties and three SureStay branded hotels – with more expected to follow in the future.

For more information about BWH Hotels in Asia, please visit bestwesternasia.com.

About BWH Hotels
BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay® Hotels. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*. With 19 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotels suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.
*Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 28, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / On World Tourism Day 2023, leaders from every global region have united around a shared determination to invest in the sector’s growth and transformation. Held around the theme of “Tourism and Green Investments,” the celebrations of the Global Day of Observation have been the biggest and most impactful on record.

Riyadh Welcomes the World

Hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the official celebrations in Riyadh brought together more than 50 Ministers of Tourism alongside hundreds of high-level delegates from both the public and private sectors. They were joined by UNWTO’s Member States and other tourism stakeholders around the world celebrating in their own countries. Welcoming them all, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili and Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia Ahmed Al Khateeb, emphasized the need for the whole of the sector to step up investments that deliver for People, Planet and for Prosperity.

Tourism must lead the way in accelerating our shift to greater resilience and sustainability. For this, we need more investment, as well as the right kind of investment

Opening the celebrations, His Excellency Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to tourism development and strong support of UNWTO’s mission. He said: “It is a privilege and honour to host World Tourism Day in Riyadh. Let’s celebrate our achievements in coming back strongly from the pandemic. But let’s also travel with confidence into the future. A future where large countries and smaller countries can work together to achieve amazing things. And let’s all move in harmony towards a new horizon for global tourism.”

UNWTO Secretary-General Pololikashvili said: “Tourism must lead the way in accelerating our shift to greater resilience and sustainability. For this, we need more investment, as well as the right kind of investment. That is the central message of this year’s World Tourism Day, a message that is being amplified from the official hosts of the celebrations, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and echoed around the world by our Members everywhere.”

Tourism Investments in the Spotlight

Exploring the meaning behind Tourism and Green Investments, the official World Tourism Day celebrations featured a series of expert panels, each focusing one key priority for the sector right now. These included: Investing in people, through education and jobs; Investing in destinations, including new destinations and products to reduce overcrowding and diversify benefits; investing in innovation and entrepreneurship, and Investing in green transformation.

The expert-led discussions, which featured contributions from Ministers of Tourism as well as from business and finance leaders, were complemented by strong actions as UNWTO announced several key initiatives:

• UNWTO Secretary-General Pololikashvili and Saudi Minister of Tourism Al Khateeb jointly announced plans for a new Riyadh School for Tourism and Hospitality. The School will offer eight levels of educational programmes, ranging from certificates through to courses at the Bachelors and Master’s degree level, with a clear focus on bridging the current skills gaps in tourism.
• UNWTO announced the winners of its inaugural Women in Tech Start-Up Competition. The winning women-led enterprises were selected for the relevance of their work to tourism for development and for their potential to scale up. All of them will benefit from support and mentorship from UNWTO’s innovation network.

Bangkok, Thailand, October 2, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Are you longing for a getaway where your furry friend is just as welcome as you are? Look no further than Marriott Executive Apartments Sathorn Vista – Bangkok, an urban oasis that beckons both you and your beloved pets to experience the ultimate in comfort and relaxation.

Tucked away in the bustling heart of Bangkok’s Sathorn district, our upscale property offers a haven for travelers seeking a home-away-from-home experience with their four-legged companions. Here’s why our pet-friendly haven should be your next destination:

A Tail-Wagging Welcome
Upon arrival, you and your furry friend will be greeted with a warm smile, setting the tone for a delightful stay. Our spacious suites, starting at 65 sq.m, are thoughtfully designed with both you and your pets in mind. With separate living, sleeping, and working areas, as well as a fully equipped kitchen, our suites provide all the comforts of home.

Pet-friendly Perks Galore
We understand that pets are part of the family, and we want their stay to be as enjoyable as yours. That’s why we provide more than just pet-friendly spaces in our suites; our offerings extend to our 5th-floor outdoor saltwater pool. Here, you can take your furry companions for a leisurely stroll while savoring picturesque views of Bangkok.

Exploring the City Together
Venture beyond our welcoming doors, and you’ll discover that Bangkok is a pet-friendly city ready to be explored. Our complimentary shuttle service conveniently takes you and your pet to the nearest public transportation hubs, including Lumphini MRT, Chong Nonsi BTS, and Sala Daeng BTS, as well as popular destinations. On weekends, hop on our shuttle for shopping excursions to leading malls such as CentralWorld, Siam Paragon, MBK Center, Siam Square One, and Samyan Mitr Town.

Unwind and Reconnect After a day of adventures, relax and recharge in the heart of our urban haven. Enjoy a leisurely evening stroll with your pet along our lush terrace or bask in the glow of the city lights. It’s a chance to unwind, connect, and create lasting memories with your beloved companion.

Booking your pet-friendly retreat is easy, simply visit our website at www.marriottsathornvista.com or contact us directly at +66 2-343-6789

For travelers seeking a pet-friendly escape in the heart of Bangkok, Marriott Executive Apartments Sathorn Vista – Bangkok offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and a warm welcome for all family members, including the furry ones. Book your stay today and embark on a pawsome adventure in the vibrant city of Bangkok.

About Sathorn Vista, Bangkok – Marriott Executive Apartments
To the place that has temporarily become home. With 32 floors of spacious suites and apartments, the Sathorn Vista, Bangkok – Marriott Executive Apartments gives travelers the best of home and travel in one unique destination. Guests can choose from one- to three-bedroom, fully-furnished apartment suites for a home-away-from-home experience and yet still feel exquisitely removed from the expected. The hotel’s restaurant – MoMo Café embraces international inspirations, while amenities like the 24-hour fitness center, saltwater pool, children’s pool, sauna and game room transport visitors to a world of recreation. Plus the hotel’s location within Bangkok’s vibrating business district puts shopping and entertainment just as close as embassies and corporations, making the property ideal for leisure travelers, corporate guests and families alike. The ‘Saladang’station BTS skytrian on Silom road and ‘Lumpini’ MRT subway station on Rama-4 road are both within a short walking distance.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 26, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The stage is set for World Tourism Day 2023, with the global sector to come together around them theme of Tourism and Green Investments.

In what is set to be the biggest celebration to date, the official celebrations will be held of 27 September in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. At UNWTO’s Member States will mark the occasion in every region through a range of special events and programmes.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “Tourism has never been more important for our economies or for our societies. Its potential is enormous. And so on this World Tourism Day, we celebrate tourism’s ability to drive growth while also highlighting the vital need for investments to ensure such growth is inclusive and sustainable.”

Tourism has never been more important for our economies or for our societies

Tourism and Green Investments

On World Tourism Day 2023, UNWTO will place the emphasis on Tourism and Green Investments. The day will focus on the importance of:

• Investment for People (by investing in education and skills),
• For Planet (by investing in sustainable infrastructure and accelerating green transformation)
• For Prosperity (by investing in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship).

In Riyadh, UNWTO will present its Global Tourism Investment Framework and hold a series of high-level panels focusing on the challenges and opportunities surrounding investment in tourism. The official World Tourism Day celebrations will also see the winners of the inaugural UNWTO Women in Tech Startup Competition for the Middle East announced.

From Riyadh to the World

World Tourism Day is set to be the biggest celebration so far. UNWTO will welcome representatives from more than 100 of its Member States, including more than 50 Ministers of Tourism. Joining them will be high-level representatives from tourism’s private sector, both from the Middle East region and globally.

World Tourism Day

The first World Tourism Day was held in 1980. As the Global Day of Observance for tourism, it offers a chance to celebrate the sector’s vital role in advancing peace and prosperity and UNWTO’s global regions take turns in hosting the official celebrations, always around a timely and relevant theme.

The date of 27 September marks the day the Statutes of the Organization that became UNWTO were signed.

Valletta, Malta September 27, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / At an event at the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), Minister for Tourism, Hon. Clayton Bartolo MP, MTA CEO Carlo Micallef, and MD Malta Tourism Observatory Leslie Vella, launched 50 SUNx country programmes in the world’s Least Developed countries (LDCs) aimed at mitigating Climate Change. This is a key component of Malta’s commitment to be a global centre of Climate Friendly Travel,(CFT) as laid out in its 2030 Tourism Strategy

These Chapters will led by scholarship graduates of the Climate Friendly Travel Diploma run by SUNx Malta and The Institute of Tourism Studies, Malta which is supported by MTA and the Ministry of Tourism. They focus on the countries most affected by Climate Change. Earlier this year Malta confirmed another 50 scholarships for the world’s 39 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and 11 other countries affected by Climate Change.

The CFT Diploma is a world first and trains students to support Travel & Tourism companies and communities to be climate resilient and to pursue Climate Friendly Travel Growth; as well as in transforming to achieve Zero GHG emissions by 2050. It also trains them to help to build Climate Friendly Travel Communities – preparing them for jobs in Sustainable Transport, Hospitality, Destination Management or

Government Services.
The aim of the Chapters is to build a growing community of like-minded, thoughtful tourism focused, climate activists who are networked across the world’s developing countries. These Climate Champions will also encourage companies to join SUNx Malta’s CFT Registry where they can show their Climate Actions Plans.

Minister Clayton Bartolo expressed his support for the ongoing work to establish Malta as a centre for Climate Friendly Travel development and said:
“By providing scholarships to students from the countries most affected by Climate Change Malta is furthering its support of a global movement of Climate Resilience. These Chapters are important because they are designed to engage local stakeholders and play a small part in the global shift that is required to meet the central goal of the Paris Climate Accord of a 1.5oC limit to global warming by 2050.”

Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President SUNx Malta, said:
“Thanks to our support from MTA and the Ministry of Tourism we are building a global community of thousands of Strong Climate Champions, committed to local Climate Adaptation and emission reduction for the Tourism sector, in countries that are not usually the leaders in this field.

It is this next generation of Climate activists that will engage local industry and will focus attention on only the most critical components of the transformation – preparedness for the dramatic weather impacts – fires, floods & drought; as well as the need to peak emissions by 2025 for Climate Friendly Travel growth.”

About SUNx Malta – Strong Universal Network
SUNx Malta is a legacy for the late Maurice Strong, father of sustainable development. Its goal is to advance Climate Friendly Travel (CFT) ~ low carbon: SDG linked: Paris 1.5. Its goal, with Malta’s Ministry of Tourism and Malta Tourism Authority, is to advance CFT, to create a UNFCCC-linked CFT Registry, and to promote CFT Education. It plans to put in place 100,000 Strong Climate Champions by 2030 across all UN states.

Bangkok, Thailand, September 26, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / After 2 years of successful virtual editions in 2020 & 2021 and hybrid edition in 2022, IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2023 resume for 100% in-person event in Bangkok. 2023 celebrates 31 years of fostering international MICE business in Asia-Pacific and 26 years of cultivating Corporate Travel and Entertainment best practices among Asia-Pacific’s travel professionals.

The Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) 2023 opened its doors in Bangkok on September 26. Established in 1993, IT&CMA remains a beacon of growth for the Asia-Pacific MICE industry. The event, co-located with Corporate Travel World (CTW) Asia-Pacific, provides a unique confluence of suppliers, thought leaders, and innovators in both the MICE and Corporate Travel sectors. Organized by TTG Events, a business group of TTG Asia Media, this year’s agenda showcases an array of high-value discussions. Let’s delve into what this year’s summit promises to offer.

What is happening at IT&CM Asia:

Opening Keynote – An immersive discussion on Connecting Minds, Supporting Communities presented by Khun Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, president of Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation and adviser of Phuket Tourist Association. The opening keynote will highlight the positive impact tourism/MICE partnerships can have on local communities.

Fireside Chat with TCEB and TICA – A fireside chat with national CVB TCEB and TICA officials on how business events can support the development of cities and the livelihood of the locals.

Asian MICE Cruise Conference will discuss the post-pandemic cruise comeback as well as exploring new ways to meet.

Association Day Forum – International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) presents a session for thought leaders, industry experts and practitioners to connect, exchange ideas and chart a course toward a future of growth and association success.

ASEAN MICE Forum – Hosted by the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) and Kasetsart University, the forum will facilitate dialogues on subjects such as ‘What corporations want versus what qualifiers want from Incentive Travel Experiences’ and ‘Embracing sustainability and empowering community’.

Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception – Co-hosted by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the gathering provides an initial opportunity for attendees to get to know fellow delegates.

More information: IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2023, takes place from 26 to 28 September at the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, https://itcma.com/register/

Bangkok, Thailand, September 25, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Leading global hotel brand, BWH Hotels has appointed Rod Munro to the role of Managing Director of Operations for Australia and New Zealand. Reporting to Vice President, International Operations for Asia Pacific, Olivier Berrivin, Munro will focus on expanding the brand’s presence in the region and leading a new era of growth and success for BWH Hotels.

Munro brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in hospitality operations and management. Munro will play an invaluable role in leading the Australian team and supporting the growing pipeline of new and existing hotels. He will be relocating from Brisbane to Sydney and will commence his role at BWH Hotels in October.

“I’m delighted to be joining the company during this time of growth for our industry and I’m eager to apply my experience to such a respected global brand,” said Munro. “As the hospitality and tourism industries continue to evolve globally, I look forward to the unique opportunities that BWH Hotels’ growing portfolio will bring to the market. I look forward to further establishing the brand through authentic and personalized hospitality experiences.”

“BWH Hotels Australasia is undergoing rapid growth, and we are excited for Rod to continue this momentum in the region” said Berrivin. “His industry knowledge and background in various operations roles gives him unique insight for this position and the ability to lead this team.”

Munro has a global career spanning over 20 years of hospitality operations experience. He recently served as Vice President of Operations – Australasia for Stamford Hotels & Resorts, where he oversaw seven premium properties with nearly 2,500 rooms and residential assets. Prior to this role, he spent over 15 years with Accor in a variety of operational management positions, including Area General Manager and COO of Hospitality Services for Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit and Area General Manager and General Manager for Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit.

“While Rod will be overseeing operations in Australia and New Zealand, he brings a global perspective to everything he does,” said Ron Pohl, President of International Operations. “His strategic vision and alignment with our company’s values make him the ideal candidate for this role.”

About BWH Hotels
BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay® Hotels. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*. With 19 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotels suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.
*Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

Macao, Macao SAR, September 21, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Navigating opportunities for tourism recovery and enhancing innovation and cooperation The opening ceremony of the 10th Global Tourism Economy Forum · Macao 2023 (GTEF or the “Forum”) took place at the Galaxy International Convention Center this morning (21 September). Over 1,500 leading figures from the global tourism industry and related sectors are invited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of GTEF together.

Prominent figures officiate the opening ceremony
The guests who attended the opening ceremony of the 10th GTEF include Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Ho Iat Seng; Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of GTEF, Ho Hau Wah; Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili; Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, Hu Heping; Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Zheng Xincong; Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Liu Xianfa; Minister of Tourism of Italy, Daniela Garnero Santanchè; Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Qiu Xiaoping; Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, Liu Duo; Minister of Tourism of Brazil, Celso Sabino de Oliveira; Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia, Li Baodong; Secretary for Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Hussain Niyaaz; Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce and Services of Portugal, Nuno Fazenda; Secretary of State for Tourism of Spain, Rosana Morillo; Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government and Executive Chairman of GTEF, Lei Wai Nong; Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Kevin Yeung Yun-hung; Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF, Pansy Ho; Former Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of China, Former Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, Long Yongtu; Chairman of the World Tourism Alliance and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, Zhang Xu; Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, He Yafei, and President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Travel and Tourism Council and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, Julia Simpson.

Themed as “Destination 2030: Unlocking the Power of Tourism for Business and Development”, GTEF 2023 keeps abreast of new trends within the context of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Gathering high officials, ministers of culture, tourism and other related sectors, industry leaders, decision-makers and scholars from around the world, the event navigates opportunities for recovery of the global tourism economy by “thinking beyond tourism”. Participants will discuss new ways of constructing a resilient, high-quality and people-oriented environment for the tourism industry in the new normal through innovative and sustainable international cooperation.

Guests deliver address at GTEF’s 10th anniversary
Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of GTEF, Ho Hau Wah, indicated in his welcome speech that at this new juncture, GTEF shoulders the mission to rally the global cultural tourism industry here in Macao to facilitate high-quality cultural tourism development and contribute to sustainable tourism development worldwide.

Secretary-General of UNWTO, Zurab Pololikashvili, underscored in his opening speech, “The Global Tourism Economy Forum is set to be the premier platform for cooperation between Governments and the private sector in the area of tourism for development. By creating the ‘Davos of Tourism’, we can shape the course of the sector’s future around the pillars of jobs, education, innovation and investments.”

Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, Hu Heping, stated in his congratulatory speech that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism hopes to capitalize on the 10th GTEF to join hands with different countries to create a more open and inclusive environment for tourism development, continuously promote the further opening up of the tourism sector, make steady progress in facilitating people-to-people exchange, and keep improving inbound travel services. Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government and Executive Chairman of GTEF, Lei Wai Nong, delivered remarks on behalf of Macao as the host city at the opening ceremony. He expressed that as the global economy is on track for recovery and resurgence, it is especially meaningful for Macao to organize GTEF once again and celebrate its 10th anniversary. The Forum seeks to contribute to the development of the national and global tourism economy. It is also an occasion to share with members of the global tourism and related industries Macao’s steady progress towards resumption of tourism and economic activities, as well as the city’s comprehensive capabilities to organize conventions and exhibitions as the “Best Convention City (in Asia).” It also revealed that the tourism economy is an essential component in the progress towards recovery and sustainable development. Minister of Tourism of Italy, Daniela Garnero Santanchè, delivered a speech on behalf of Italy as the Partner Country of GTEF. She said, “I am proud to be here to represent my country, Italy. We, the Italians, live in a small country, but full of timeless, unique and unforgettable beauties and traditions. We are home to 58 UNESCO World Heritage sites and represent one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. We invite you all to use this special edition of the Forum to emphasize the valuable role of tourism in fostering cultural, social, and economic exchanges and synergies. Tourism is crucial to spread the values of peace and friendship among people from all over the world and is crucial to achieving the sustainable development goals.” Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Qiu Xiaoping, gave a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony. He pointed out that over the past decade, GTEF has effectively functioned as a bridge that connects China’s tourism industry with its foreign counterparts, facilitating international exchanges and cooperation in the cultural tourism industry. It has not only become an important platform conducive to the sustainable development of the global tourism economy but has also made notable contributions to the Macao SAR’s economic diversification. The world is now at a time of unprecedented change, which places higher demands on the tourism industry: first, optimize the development environment and enhance the confidence of enterprises and consumers; second, reshape services and accelerate high-quality tourism development; third, strengthen international exchanges and promote win-win cooperation.

Representative of GTEF Featured City Shanghai and Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, Liu Duo, remarked in her speech that looking into the future, Shanghai will further enhance communication and pragmatic cooperation with Macao for elevated synergistic development, and strengthen exchanges, mutual learning, communication and collaboration with the rest of the world for the sustainable development of the tourism industry, so as to boost economic growth and benefit people of all nations. Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony include Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, Peter Semone; President of the China Chamber of Tourism, Ji Xiaodong; Deputy Secretary-General of the World Tourism Cities Federation, Yan Han; Executive Director of the European Travel Commission and Honorary Vice Chairman of GTEF, Eduardo Santander; President of the Macau Chinese Enterprises Association and Chairman of the Board of Nam Kwong (Group) Company Limited, Fu Jianguo, together with representatives of the GTEF’s leading partners and other personages.

Keynote speeches deliver visions for the tourism industry
During the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF, Pansy Ho, delivered a setting-the-scene keynote speech on “Charting a Visionary Path: Unlocking Tourism’s Potential at the Global Tourism Economy Forum”. Then Former Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of China, Former Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, Long Yongtu, made a keynote speech on “China & the World Towards a New Vision”, followed by a keynote speech on “Collaboration for Prosperity and Development” by President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Travel and Tourism Council and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, Julia Simpson.

Diverse sessions inspire new ideas
The 10th GTEF features Italy as its Partner Country and Shanghai as the Featured City, which will unleash the potential of mutual cooperation between travel markets in China and the rest of the world. In addition to discussions and keynote speeches, the program features special interviews, case studies and casual fireside dialogues as a new highlight, with the aim to inject new ideas and momentum into the robust development of the global tourism economy, so that different destinations around the world can gain value from new opportunities and create better lives.

For more information about the GTEF, please visit www.gte-forum.com

About the Global Tourism Economy Forum
The “Global Tourism Economy Forum” (GTEF) is hosted by the Secretariat for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government, in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), co-organized by the China Chamber of Tourism and Macao Government Tourism Office, and coordinated by the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC). The GTEF’s supporting units include the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), European Travel Commission (ETC), The Association of Chinese Enterprises in Macao (MCEA), World Tourism Alliance (WTA) and International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA). Since its inception in 2012, the GTEF has successfully established itself as an influential high-level cooperation platform to promote sustainable development in the global tourism industry with a focus on China. To date, the GTEF has received more than 12,700 participants from 90 countries and regions, including delegations from 152 provinces and cities of mainland China, and has invited 600 internationally renowned speakers who are national ministerial officials, business leaders, and experts and scholars to share their insights during the event.