Macao, Macao SAR, December 1, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The Global Tourism Economy Forum · Macao 2020 will be held in Macao on 9 December. Under the theme of “Solidarity and Innovation: Reshaping Tourism in the New Global Economy”, the Forum will discuss the new strategies and momentum for restoring travelers’ confidence and reinventing the tourism industry. Under the new normal of regular control and prevention against the pandemic, this edition of GTEF will lead a confluence of online and offline engagement for the first time, leveraging innovative technology to unite tourism elites around the world for an exchange of insightful perspectives to unveil a new landscape for the tourism economy.
The organizer of the Global Tourism Economy Forum (“GTEF” or the “Forum”), the Secretariat for Economy and Finance, announced officially via video conferencing today (30 November) that the 9th GTEF will be held on 9 December 2020. Chief of Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Ku Mei Leng, and Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF, Pansy Ho, presented an overview and event program of GTEF 2020.
In her remarks, Ku Mei Leng stated, “COVID-19 has gone rampant and devastated the world and global economy. The tourism industry particularly stands in the forefront to weather the massive impact. Solidarity and innovation are especially important at this moment. This edition of the Forum is themed as “Solidarity and Innovation: Reshaping Tourism in the New Global Economy” with the aspiration that the travel trade can stay united around the world while industry leaders, experts and scholars can shed light on how to leverage innovative technology and online platforms to open up a new avenue that leads to faster recovery of the global tourism economy. 2020 will mark the 10th anniversary of GTEF. The Forum will carry on its mission, striving to function as an international platform that fosters sustainable development of the global tourism economy.”
Pansy Ho stated, “Due to the pandemic, this year’s planning efforts for GTEF has faced many challenges. But as an international tourism city, a World Centre of Leisure and Tourism, as well as a core city of the Greater Bay Area, Macao kept its promise in holding the GTEF annually; The determination for such effort is strong due to the GTEF’s commitment to maintain its responsibility towards global citizens, to promote Macao, its motherland, and the world’s sustainable development of the tourism economy. The GTEF will continue on in full-force in the spirit of solidarity and innovation, using technology to hold a hybrid online and offline format to breakthrough geographical and time zone barriers, allowing attendees from all corners of the world to attend the Forum. Together, we join hands to explore innovative solutions, addressing the ‘New Normal’ of the tourism economy.”
Brilliant minds converge to probe into tourism and economic revival worldwide
Continuing to contribute as a navigator, GTEF will bring together some 30 Mainland, local and international government and industry leaders as well as international tourism organization leaders to proffer creative insights and strategies on tourism development, tourism and economic recovery, destination marketing and business operation, etc.
The Forum will present an innovative and inspiring program encompassing special keynotes, special sessions, special dialogues and featured interviews, letting brilliant minds converge to shape a brighter future of shared success. The special dialogues and featured interviews will cover the topics as follows: “Public Private Partnerships for Restarting Tourism Economy”, “Air Travel under the New Normal” and “Solidarity to Reshape the Tourism Economy”. The session on Public Private Partnerships for Tourism Economic Revival will highlight Macao’s Success Story.
Pacific Asia Travel Association Session
In partnership with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), this session will feature the best practices from across the Asia-Pacific region to drive the recovery of the global tourism economy. During this session, the best practices collected will showcase optimal crisis communication plans, strategies to support small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as strategies adopted by tour operators and hospitality businesses to achieve sustainable business renewal. The session will also feature a discussion with experts on the sentiment of Chinese outbound travelers and how a greater understanding of this market’s preferences can help in the recovery of the global tourism economy.
UNWTO/GTERC Joint Research Report
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and GTEF’s coordinator, the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC), will deliver the 7th joint report on Asia Tourism Trends. The publication not only analyzes the latest tourism trends and outlook in Asia-Pacific, but also unveils how countries in Asia have adopted various measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and stimulate economic recovery, including a special case study on Macao. The report also highlights the significance of tourism and community development and points to the potential of rural tourism.
The Forum will also feature a special keynote “China Story: This is Hubei; This is Wuhan”, where Hubei will share the heartening story of the province’s road to recovery in the wake of the pandemic.
Debut of one-stop online business matching platform
This edition of the Forum will gather delegates from worldwide in the innovative online format through collaboration once again with Tencent Cloud, the cloud business under Tencent, which will further extend the influence of GTEF and demonstrate Macao’s comprehensive capacity to organize international conventions. Another highlight of GTEF is the Business Matching Session hosted by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM). The session will debut
its one-stop online business matching platform that enables business introduction, matchmaking, appointment making and meeting online, allowing Macao enterprises to “go global”.
Featured Chinese Province — Gansu
This year, Gansu – the featured province of the inaugural edition of GTEF – has once again been invited to grace the event as Featured Chinese Province. Gansu is regarded as one of the key birthplaces of the Chinese Civilization. The Forum will serve as a platform to showcase Gansu Province’s latest development, exuberant cultural heritage, colourful tourism resources as well as investment opportunities to delegates.
Connect with China and the world
GTEF has successfully built an advanced international tourism exchange platform that progresses forward with its functions. Capitalizing on Macao’s role as a bridge that connects different peoples and enhances cooperation between China and the world, as well as a strategic tourism hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Forum is committed to enhancing the sustainable development of the global tourism industry with a special focus on China, and guiding global tourism stakeholders to unlock new opportunities across China and the Greater Bay Area.
Since the inaugural edition in 2012, GTEF has engaged close to 12,700 participants from over 90 countries and regions, and 152 delegations from various Mainland provinces and regions. 600 internationally-renowned guest speakers have shared their insightful perspectives at the Forum, including ministerial officials of different countries, industry leaders, experts and scholars.
Support from Public and Private Sectors Alike
The 9th edition of 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 (CCT) under the authorization of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), and coordinated by the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC). GTEF’s supporting units include the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, 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), and the Macau Chinese Enterprise Association (MCEA).
GTEF is honored to garner support from its long-term Major Sponsors, including Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited, Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, MGM China Holdings Ltd, SJM Holdings Limited, Sands China Ltd., and Wynn Resort (Macau) S.A.; in addition, GTEF has received recognition from its Major Sponsors as an international platform, in which to share the various corporate social responsibility initiatives respectively.
