Pansy Ho, chairman of Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC) and group executive chairman and managing director of Shun Tak Holdings, has been appointed UNWTO tourism ambassador for her contributions in promoting regional and global tourism cooperation and sustainable tourism.
The appointment was announced by Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary-general of UNWTO during the opening ceremony of the Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) 2018 in Macau on Monday.
Ho now joins the stellar list of UNWTO tourism ambassadors for promoting global tourism development, which includes legendary Spanish football coach Vicente del Bosque; former Spanish international and sporting director of Spain national team Fernando Hierro; five-time Ballon d’Or and European Golden Shoes recipient, Argentine football sensation Lionel Messi; Nigerian businessman and global philanthropist Aliko Dangote; decorated Spanish football wizard Andrés Iniesta; and highly popular Japanese cartoon character Hello Kitty.
An active participant in many of the world’s leading tourism organisations, Ho is executive committee member of WTTC and vice chairman of China Chamber of Tourism. She is also the first official PATA Foundation ambassador and the first ambassador for the Louvre in China.
Commenting on the accolade, Ho said: “The ambassador honour is indeed a recognition and affirmation of the efforts of GTERC and GTEF to facilitate global tourism cooperation. Rooted in Macau, the research centre and the forum have continued to receive support from UNWTO, and have in turn continued to create new offerings and inspire innovations and creativity for this vibrant international tourist city. We are extremely honoured to shoulder the mission of reshaping our future in a new era through tourism.”
Ho founded GTERC in 2011 and GTEF in 2012. GTEF has since become an annual tourism event in Macau, organised under the auspices of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and in collaboration with UNWTO, to champion sustainable development of global tourism with a focus on China.
This year, GTEF 2018 takes place under the theme of Strategic Partnership in a New Era, Rising Momentum for a Shared Future, with the EU as its partner region and Guangdong as its featured Chinese province with a special focus on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
