Optimizing Tourism Economy on Maritime Silk Road

Macao (Macau SAR) – October 27, 2014 – The Global Tourism Economy Forum Macau 2014 (the GTEF or Forum), hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government and co-organized by the China Chamber of Tourism under the authorization of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), coordinated by the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre and in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The opening ceremony was officiated by prestigious guests including Mr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of Macao SAR; Mr. Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of The National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of GTEF; H.E. Dr. Massoud Soltanifar, Vice-President of Islamic Republic of Iran, and President of Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization; Mr. Qiang Wei, Party Secretary of the Communist Party of China Jiangxi Provincial Committee; Mr. Li Gang, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR and Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Mr. Márcio Favilla Lucca de Paula, Executive Director for Operational Programmes and Institutional Relations, UNWTO; Mr. Hu Zheng Yue, Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR and Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Ms. Du Yili, Vice Chairman of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA); Mr. An Qiyi , Vice – Chairman of All – China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC); Dr. Michael Frenzel, Chairman of World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Mr. Scott Supernaw, Chairman of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Honor ary Vice Chairman of GTEF; and Ms.Wang Ping, Chairman of China Chamber of Tourism and Vice Chairman of GTEF, among other guests.

The third edition of Global Tourism Economy Forum – Macau 2014 is dedicated to our Country’s initiatives of establishing the 21st century Maritime Silk Road (MSR) under the theme Maritime Silk Road- From Macau We Begin, and taking the lead in discussing the transformation of the MSR region, exploring strategic intercontinental cooperation and business opportunities in tourism across nations, domestic provinces and cities along the MSR route.

The Forum has invited 40 ministerial officials, globally – renowned corporate leaders , experts and scholars to kick start in – depth analyses and formulate innovative solutions for sustainable prosperity of the MSR region. The Forum has been steadily growing in terms of scale. This edition has attracted close to 1,000 delegates from various countries and cities around the world, including four domestic provinces and autonomous regions as the Forum’s key partners, as well as around 180 international and local media representatives.

Mr. Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of The National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of GTEF, addressed, Tourism is defined as the fifth strategic pillar industry of the Country’s Twelfth Five – Year Plan and an indispensable element for building the new MSR Economic Belt. Global elites in tourism and related industries will leverage on the Forum as a platform for collective discussions and high-level dialogue, discussing tourism as a driving force for building the new MSR and exploring new directions for the new growth momentum of global economy. This can extend the influence of tourism economy to various regions and aspects for achieving reciprocal benefits.

Mr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of Macao SAR, stated; this edition of the Forum will focus on Maritime Silk Road-From Macau We Begin, a meaningful and contemporary theme. Looking back into our history, Macao was one of the major coastal ports along the Maritime Silk Road; it also functioned as an exchange channel for different civilizations in the past. The ancient Maritime Silk Road once prospered the economy of the cities along the route. More importantly, it has carried on the spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and reciprocity from generation to generation, writing a glorious chapter of mutual learning and exchange between civilizations in history. This latest edition of the Forum will unfold a series of profound discussions on the Maritime Silk Road in response to the demand on a greater realm for international trade and commerce. It also meets the trend of the times to foster cooperation across Asia and to promote global peace and development.

Following the opening ceremony, congratulatory messages were delivered by representatives of the Forum’s supporting units, including Mr. An Qiyi, Vice Chairman of ACFIC; Ms . Du Yili, Vice Chairman of CNTA; Mr. Qiang Wei, Party Secretary, the Communist Party of China Jiangxi Provincial Committee; Mr. Márcio Favilla Lucca de Paula, Executive Director for Operational Programmes and Institutional Relations, UNWTO ; Mr. Ji Xiangqi, Deputy Governor, the People’s Government of Shandong Province; Mr. Lan Tianli, Vice Chairman, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region ; Dr. Michael Frenzel, Chairman of WTTC; and Mr. Scott Supernaw, Chairman of PATA , underlining their dedication to foster global cooperation in tourism and maximize the fruitful benefits through the promising 21st century MSR initiatives.

Asia is playing an increasingly prominent role in international tourism. To gain a full picture of t he current trends, UNW TO and the Global Tourism Economy Research C entre (GTERC) seized the precious opportunity to announce their Joint Annual Report on Asia Tourism Trends during GTEF – Macau 2014 . According to the report, home to a rich and diverse host of destinations, Asia and the Pacific has seen strong growth in inbound tourism across the region and welcomed a total of 248 million international tourist arrivals in 2013, about 23% of the world’s sum . According to UNWTO’s long – term forecasts, t his share is expected to reach 30% by 2030, a percentage equivalent to 53 5 million international tourists. The joint research reflects the two entities ’ shared commitment to promote tourism as an economic drive, and their determination to share knowledge and experience , promote discussions and debates, find solutions, effectuate reform in policies and practices, and make a positive impact on people’s lives through the ever – changing and far – reaching tourism economy .

A series of topical panels will begin on the second d a y of the GTEF. The much anticipated – Face to Face, Ministers and Private Sector CEOs – session in the third edition of GTEF will deepen the fruitful results of Ministerial Round Table in Collaboration with UNWTO achieved in the previous edition. The session will invite tourism ministers and corporate leaders for the first time to have an in – depth dialogue on the current and future development of tourism and related industries under the topic of Tourism – A driving force for cooperation on the 21st century Maritime Silk Road . H.E. Dr. Massoud Soltanifar, Vice – President of Islamic Republic of Iran, and President of Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization; Mr. Tith Chantha, Secretary of State of Tourism of Cambodia ; Mr. Darko Lorencin, Minis ter of Tourism of Croatia; Mr. Rapil Zhoshybayev, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Commissioner of the International Specialized Exhibition EXPO 2017 ; Dr. Yaddehige Don Nihal Jayathilaka, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development, Sri Lanka; Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen, Chairman, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board; Mr. Yousuf Ahmad Lootah, Executive Director, Tourism Development and Investments, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai , United Arab Emirates ; and Mr. Georgios Drakopoulos, Special Advisor to UNWTO Secretary General on Private Sector Relations are among the government al dignitaries confirmed to attend on behalf of different countries around the world and along the MSR .

This is followed by the – Dialogue with Travel & Tourism Leaders by China Daily – session as a timely industry response to the intriguing MSR prospect from the perspective of Maritime Silk Road Tourism for Future Tourists; the Passage from the Past to the Present session aiming to identify the new direction for establishment of The New Maritime Silk Road through grasping the MSR’s glorious past with present and future measures across the region; and the Shaping the Present for the Future session to accommodate new tourism trends on the 21st century MSR backdrop under the Creative strategies to win today and tomorrow .

The fascinating panels are enriched with Tourism Presentation and Scenery Pictures Exhibition by Jiangxi and Shandong , Presentation by Kazakhstan, Fujian Province Dance Drama – Dreams Seeking on Silk Sea Route, GTE – Forum 2015 Partner Country Presentation and the Networking Reception organized by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), among other programs. IPIM again supports the event by organizing a networking reception as an ideal platform for delegates to discuss business opportunities, partnership and agreements so that the Forum can achieve substantial results. The new addition of Pavilion Exhibition also brings fascinating dimensions to the Forum ; presenting a variety of exhibitions, presentations and performances, the pavilion will be opened to the public on 29 October 2014, expected to create more networking opportunities for participating countries and regions with different sectors in Macao.

The first three editions of GTEF are hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affair s and Culture of the Macao SAR Government. The Forum also earns continued support from its supporting units including 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, China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) , Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO).

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