The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Alexis Tam, had a breakfast meeting this morning (17 October) with delegates of the 16 Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) as the Partner Region of the Global Tourism Economy Forum • Macao 2017 (“GTEF” or “the Forum”). Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, also participated in the meeting.

In active response and support to China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the “16+1” economic framework between China and the 16 Central and Eastern European Countries, the Forum invited the 16 Central and Eastern European Countries to participate as the Partner Region.

Secretary Tam had a breakfast meeting with delegates of the 16 Central and Eastern European Countries this morning for an exchange of perspectives. As the meeting began, the Secretary expressed his gratitude to the 16 Central and Eastern European Countries for their support to the Forum, followed by his brief introduction of Macao and its tourism situation.

In the breakfast meeting, Secretary Tam presented the scope of work in the field of social affairs and culture under his supervision, including tourism. He highlighted the significant role of tourism in Macao, and expressed that the city will continue to develop new tourism facilities and products. Since its establishment as a special administrative region, Macao has been forging ahead with its diversified development under the support of the Central Government. Capitalizing on its own strengths and diversity of elements to offer including the World Heritage, MICE, cultural tourism as well as the cultural and creative industries, Macao’s tourism industry is moving towards diversification and a brighter future, driving the city to become a world centre of tourism and leisure.

Delegates also expressed their interest in Macao’s tourism and gaming industry development, with some of them remarking that it was fascinating to see Macao’s rapid development since their last visit. Secretary Tam shared Macao’s experience in forging tourism development with the delegates. He stated that the city currently focuses on fostering the development of MICE and the creative and cultural industries, and expressed the hope to look into the possibilities of cooperation in these fields together with the 16 CEECs. In addition, Macao is examining the direction of its marketing strategies in Europe and welcomes the CEECs to promote tourism cooperation.

In terms of regional collaboration, Secretary Tam pointed out that Macao is in close partnership with Guangdong Province and Hong Kong. To be inaugurated in the near future, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will generate stronger growth across the region, and enhance the source markets development.

Regarding the Global Tourism Economy Forum, he pointed it out as a successful example of collaboration between public and private entities. With a bright prospect ahead, the Forum will learn from the successful experience of the Boao Forum for Asia to expand its productive results and impact. He expressed his hope that the 16 CEECs will continue to bestow their support on the Forum.

The dignitaries attending the breakfast meeting include Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mirko Šarović; Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria, Milko Teofilov; State Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Croatia, Frano Matušić; State Secretary of the Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Latvia, Juris Stinka; Deputy Minister of Ministry of Tourism of Romania, Cristina Ionela Tărteață; Deputy Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications of the Republic of Serbia, Renata Pindžo; Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Republic of Poland to China, Piotr Gillert; Deputy Consul General of the Czech Republic in Hong Kong, Dalibor Mička; Managing Director of Estonian Tourist Board, Tarmo Mutso; Head of Tourism Policy Division of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania, Renaldas Čiužas; Managing Director of National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro, Zeljka Radak Kukavicic, among other guests.