The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today exchanged views on enhancing tourism co-operation with world tourism leaders who are in Macao to take part in the first ever Global Tourism Economy Forum being held from 9-11 September.

During the respective meetings, Mr Chui updated his visitors on the latest economic and tourism development of Macao, and also said that the Forum might serve as a platform for the world tourism leaders to exchange views on co-operation.

The Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr Ablet Abdurishit, said he was glad to see Macao’s modernisation and the CPPCC would fully support Macao’s social, cultural and economic development.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, Mr Chumpol Silapa-archa, said that Thailand and Macao were similar in that the two places were tourism-oriented. He said the two places might enhance co-operation in the near future.

The Minister for Economy and Employment of Portugal, Mr Álvaro Santos Pereira, said the Forum provided opportunities to meet with representatives of tourism industries from different countries, and with the deep friendship between Portugal and Macao, it may help to open up markets in the Mainland.

The Chairman of All-China Federation of Commerce, Mr Huang Mengfu, said the Forum symbolised an important strategy on the development of Macao, and that it attracted tourism pioneers to participate in the activity.

The Governor of Ganzu Province, Mr Liu Weiping, said Macao could enhance co-operation in Ganzu which is one the most important province in the Northwestern part of the country.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Mr Taleb Rifai, said he was happy to see the rapid development of Macao, which proved that tourism is a way to raise the overall development of a region or country. The UNWTO will send representatives to participate in the annual tourism meeting as a way to show its support, he said.

The Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, the Director of Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping, the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng and the Advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Kou Chin Hung, also attended the meeting held at Santa Sancha, the official venue to receive important guests.

The annual Global Tourism Economy Forum was conceived by the China Chamber of Tourism, hosted by the Macau SAR Government and co-ordinated by the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre. It is an interactive discussion platform designed to capture a macro view of the interplay between tourism and other major economies, and the momentum that each builds upon the growth of the other.