GTEF 2023 Reinforces Macao’s Status as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure

Macao, Macao SAR, September 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The 10th Global Tourism Economy Forum Macao 2023 (GTEF or the “Forum”) achieved fruitful results after a series of innovative and inspiring high-quality exchanges and discussions, including keynote speeches, panel sessions, a special interview, a fireside chat, case sharing and business matching, over three days. The 10th GTEF culminated in success today (22 September), demonstrating once again Macao’s comprehensive strengths in hosting conventions as an international exchange platform while reinforcing its status as a world centre of tourism and leisure.

The closing ceremony of the 10th GTEF was held at the Galaxy International Convention Center. The major guests include 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; Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government and Executive Chairman of GTEF, Lei Wai Nong, and Vice Chairman and Secretary- General of GTEF, Pansy Ho, among other personages.

Themed around “Destination 2030: Unlocking the Power of Tourism for Business and Development”, the 10th GTEF gathered over 100 ministers of culture and tourism, industry leaders, decision-makers, scholars and stakeholders from different tourism sectors. In the context of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, participants were encouraged to “think beyond tourism” and explore opportunities for the recovery of the global tourism economy. They discussed how to construct a resilient, high-quality and people-oriented environment for the tourism industry in the new normal through innovative and sustainable international cooperation.

The Forum facilitates new partnerships in tourism
Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government and GTEF Executive Chairman, Lei Wai Nong, stated in his closing remarks that the Forum featured dedicated sessions in collaboration with different organizations to zero in on the sustainable and high-quality development of the tourism industry, as well as tourism growth and innovation through technology application. From various angles, participants also examined the new opportunities for tourism in Mainland China, the Asia-Pacific region, and Europe.

He added that in response to the goals set by the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Forum values “thinking beyond tourism” with the aim to foster innovative tourism collaboration. Graced by the presence of personages and entities from different sectors, GTEF 2023 culminated in success as an internationally- renowned convention in Macao and an annual seminal event for the global tourism industry, garnering high recognition from across the global tourism industry and manifesting Macao’s capabilities and advantages in MICE. With great significance, the Forum reaches the milestone of decade-long success. Macao will hold on to its aspirations since the inaugural edition and march forward into the next wonderful decade together with all.

GTEF Vice Chairman and Secretary-General Pansy Ho expressed in her concluding remarks, “China advocates building a community with a shared future for mankind and sharing China’s opportunities with the rest of the world. In the past decade, we have attracted tourism industry practitioners across the globe to this international forum originating in China. We will take it to the international stage in the next decade, bringing GTEF to other parts of the world, raising both the voice and influence of China’s tourism industry internationally. We will continue to provide an equal and inclusive platform for stakeholders worldwide and inspire the global tourism industry with innovative ideas.”

Support the “1+4” strategy and keep pace with new development trends
The Forum brought back the GTEF ∙ Investment and Financing Conference this year, which provided a valuable guide for Macao as the city seeks to establish a financial regulatory system aligned with international standards, explore new ways to leverage financial development as an enhancer for the development of the Greater Bay Area, and develop a modern financial industry that powers adequate economic diversification. The discussions also covered the four major industries, namely health and wellness, modern financial services, innovative technology, as well as culture and sports. The insightful perspectives will fuel Macao’s endeavors to enrich its offer as a world centre of tourism and leisure. By offering a diverse and multifunctional platform for international tourism exchanges and cooperation, the Forum fosters the “1+4” industry development for adequate economic diversification in line with the new prospects of Macao–Hengqin integration.

Since its first edition in 2012, GTEF has engaged over 14,000 on-site participants and over 2.3 million online participants from 95 countries/regions across six continents including Asia, Europe, South America, North America, Africa and Oceania in its past ten editions. The event has welcomed 215 delegations from various Chinese provinces/regions. 706 world-renowned speakers including ministerial officials, business leaders, experts and scholars have shared their insights at the Forum.

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.