Global Tourism Economy Research Centre Signed MoU with Argentina and Brazil

Buenos Aires (Argentina) – May 7, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (“GTERC”) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Argentina and Brazil, to feature the two nations as Partner Countries of the 2019 Global Tourism Economy Forum (“GTEF” or “the Forum”), further deepening tourism collaboration between China and Latin America.

The MoU was executed during the 2018 World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Dr. Michael Frenzel, Honorary Chairman of GTEF, representing GTERC, Mr. Gustavo Santos, Minister of Tourism of Argentina, and Mr. Vinicius Lummertz, Minister of Tourism of Brazil, were signatories to the tripartite MoU.

The GTERC delegation comprised key members of the Forum’s organization, including Dr. Michael Frenzel, Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Mr. Jean Claude Baumgarten, Vice Chairman of GTEF; and Mr. Jason Wang, Chief Operating Officer of GTEF. Following the signing, the delegation held meetings with Argentinian tourism leaders including Mr. Aldo Elias, President, Argentina Chamber of Tourism (CAT); Mr. Hector Viñuales, President, Federation of Chambers of Tourism of the Argentine Republic(FEDECATUR); Mr. Fabricio Di Giambattista, President, Argentina Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism (FAEVYT); Mr. Camilo Suarez, President, Association of Hotels, Restaurants, Confectioneries and Cafes (AHRCC); and Mr. Fernando Desbots, Vice President, The Gastronomic Hotel Business Federation of the Argentine Republic (FEHGRA). The meeting concluded with CAT’s commitment to send a delegation to GTEF 2018 this October.

Meanwhile, the GTERC delegation attended the WTTC Global Summit in support of the WTTC, summit organizer and one of the GTEF’s supporting units. The delegation held meetings with Mr. Christopher J. Nassetta, new Chairman of WTTC; and Ms. Nikolina Angelkova, Minister of Tourism of Bulgaria, during the Summit to discuss and communicate on cooperation details in GTEF 2018.

Pioneering topics at the top of the public-private agenda, and dedicated to creating tourism promotion, investment and cooperation opportunities for tourism stakeholders, GTEF 2018 will be held in MGM Cotai on October 23 and 24 under the theme, “Strategic Partnership in a New Era, Rising Momentum for a Shared Future”. As a partner event of the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year (ECTY 2018), GTEF 2018 will present two of the most vibrant economic regions of the world. The European Union (EU) will be showcased as the Partner Region, and Guangdong Province will be accentuated as the Featured Chinese Province with a special focus on the Greater Bay Area. GTEF 2018 will use its pragmatic tourism
exchange platform to drive discussions on strengthening EU-China commercial and cultural exchanges, and to broaden opportunities for enhanced EU-China cooperation and partnership through bilateral meetings, business matching, networking, workshops, exhibitions, etc.

About Global Tourism Economy Forum
The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) is hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, co-organized by the China Chamber of Tourism under the authorization of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and coordinated by GTERC in collaboration with UNWTO. GTEF’s supporting units include 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, former China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), European Travel Commission (ETC) and Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO).

Since its inception in 2012, 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, GTEF had received more than 8,000 participants from 83 countries and regions, including delegations from 106 provinces and cities of Mainland China; and 437 internationally
renowned speakers.