The 10th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) Macao 2023 culminates in success after a series of inspiring exchanges and discussions which ignites new ideas and momentum into the robust development of the global tourism economy, as well as reinforces Macao’s status as a world centre for tourism and leisure
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The 10th Global Tourism Economy Forum Macao 2023 (GTEF) achieved fruitful results after a series of innovative and inspiring high-quality exchanges and discussions.
During the three-day forum, a diverse range of activities took place, including keynote speeches, panel sessions, special interviews, engaging fireside chats, insightful case sharing and productive business matching sessions.
These sessions enriched the event and infused new ideas and momentum into the robust development of the global tourism economy, with the goal to benefit all stakeholders by harnessing new opportunities and enhancing their quality of life.
Successful delivery & impressive turnout
The year 2023 commemorated the 10th anniversary of GTEF, and it concluded on a remarkable note.
With 2,300 participants on-site and an active engagement of over 2 million online participants across more than 38 countries/regions and 84 cities/provinces in China, this milestone edition has made a lasting impression.
Themed around Destination 2030: Unlocking the Power of Tourism for Business and Development, it 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 also discussed about constructing a resilient, high-quality, and people-oriented environment for the tourism industry in the new normal through innovative and sustainable international cooperation.
The secretary-general of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, said in his opening speech: “The Global Tourism Economy Forum is set to be the premier platform for cooperation between governments and the private sector in the area of tourism for development. By creating the ‘Davos of Tourism’, we can shape the course of the sector’s future around the pillars of jobs, education, innovation and investments.”
Minister of Tourism of Italy, Daniela Garnero Santanchè, also delivered a speech on behalf of Italy as the partner country of GTEF, where she emphasised that tourism is crucial to spread the values of peace and friendship among people worldwide, as well as achieve sustainable development goals.
During the opening ceremony, vice chairman and secretary-general of GTEF, Pansy Ho, also delivered a setting-the-scene keynote speech on “Charting a Visionary Path: Unlocking Tourism’s Potential at the Global Tourism Economy Forum”.
Besides, former vice minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of China, former secretary-general of the Boao Forum for Asia and honorary chairman of GTEF, Long Yongtu, made a keynote speech on “China & the World Towards a New Vision”, followed by a keynote speech on “Collaboration for Prosperity and Development” by president and chief executive officer of the World Travel & Tourism Council and honorary chairman of GTEF, Julia Simpson.
Injecting new ideas & momentum
The GTEF is hosted by the Secretariat for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government, in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), co-organised 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 & Tourism Council (WTTC), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), the European Travel Commission (ETC), The Association of Chinese Enterprises in Macao (MCEA), The World Tourism Alliance (WTA), and the 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.
Pansy Ho, vice chairman and secretary-general of GTEF, concluded: “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.”
