The 10th Global Tourism Economy Forum • Macao 2023 (GTEF or the “Forum”) continued today (22 September) for the third day at the Galaxy International Convention Center. In the context of the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 10th GTEF featured a series of enlightening discussion and exchange sessions. Distinguished speakers shed light on the sustainable development of the tourism and related industries in face of the new prospects.
Zero in on sustainable tourism development
The 10th GTEF ran from 20 to 23 September. Representing Chief Executive of the Macao SAR, Secretary for Economy and Finance and Executive Chairman of GTEF, Lei Wai Nong, attended the Lunch of GTEF 2023 Partner Country Italy and delivered an address.
The Forum program on the third day was unveiled by a presentation on a research project jointly conducted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and GTEF, followed by a session held in cooperation with the UNWTO Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific, “Sustainability in Focus: Navigating the Future of Tourism in Asia”, where Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at UNWTO, Harry Hwang Hae Guk, delivered a keynote speech to bring out the theme. In this session, Vice Chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, Xu Jing, served as the moderator to lead panelists to share their insights into the long-term sustainability and development goals of the tourism industry as well as Asia’s contributions to the industry’s transformation. The panelists include Director of Macao Government Tourism Office and Vice Chairman of GTEF, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Priantha Fernando; Secretary of the Department of Tourism of the Philippines, Christina Garcia Frasco; and Secretary for Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Hussain Niyaaz.
Refining and upgrading the tourism industry
The session held in cooperation with the European Travel Commission (ETC) was themed around “A Renewed Vision: Reshaping Tourism in Europe”, where Asia Pacific Marketing Project Manager at the ETC, Ludivine Destrée, served as the moderator to lead panelists to share their viewpoints on refining and upgrading tourism development in Europe. The panelists include Group Director of Operations (COO) of Rocco Forte Hotels, Antonello de Medici; President ad interim and CEO of the Italian National Tourist Board, Ivana Jelinic; Director and President of Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, Evan Winkler; and Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism, and Chairman of the Europe-China OBOR Culture & Tourism Development Committee, István Ujhelyi.
The session “Redefining City Tourism for the Next Decade” held in cooperation with the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), was moderated by WTCF Deputy Secretary-General Yan Han, and invited panelists to a full-scale discussion on how city tourism can be upgraded and transformed in the new prospects. The panelists include Chief Economist of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, Feng Yuliang; Managing Director of SJM Resorts, S.A., Daisy Ho Chiu Fung; Full Professor and Founding President of Modul University Vienna and Director of the WTCF Experts Committee, Karl Wöber; and President and Executive Director of Sands China Limited, Wilfred Wong.
Industry leaders share insights and experiences
In the panel session “Bridging Nations Through Art and Culture”, international TV anchor Martina Fuchs hosted an in-depth discussion. The session started with a keynote speech by Chairman of Poly Culture Group Corporation Limited, Wang Bo, and featured panelists including Chairman of MondoMostre, Tomaso Radaelli, Chairman of Live Nation Spain, Pino Sagliocco, and Deputy Director of the Palace Museum, Wang Yuegong.
The last panel session in the morning, “Italy as a Destination for Asian Tourists”, invited panelists to share on why Italy can constantly rank among the top ten travel destinations in the world. The panelists include Minister of Tourism of Italy, Daniela Garnero Santanchè; CEO of Terme di Saturnia, Massimo Caputi; Chief Commercial Officer of Starhotels Group, Antonio Ducceschi; Deputy Director General of ALIS, Antonio Errigo; and National Sales Vice President of MSC Cruises Shipping Service (Shanghai) Ltd., William Wang.
In the afternoon, the 10th GTEF continued with the panel session “Tourism Makes People’s Lives Better”, which was held in cooperation with the China Chamber of Tourism (CCT). Moderated by Founder of the Chinese Artisan Conference, Zhao Pu, the session featured panelists including CCT President Ji Xiaodong; Executive Director & Co-CEO of Fosun International and Chairman of Fosun Tourism Group, Xu Xiaoliang, and Chief Marketing Officer of Wynn Macau, Limited, Zoe Zou. They shared their knowledge on refining and upgrading cultural tourism in this session.
Shaping the future of travel with technology
In the panel session “Shaping the Future of Travel: The Transformative Power of Technology” held in cooperation with the World Tourism Alliance (WTA), WTA Vice Chair and Secretary-General Liu Shijun served as the moderator to lead a discussion on the interlinked and mutually beneficial relationship between technological innovation and tourism. Panelists in the discussion include Vice President of Tencent Cloud, Hu Xin; Chairman of Macau Pass Group Holdings Limited, John Sun; Senior Vice President of Trip.com Group, Wang Wei; and General Manager of Public Affairs for the Greater Bay Area at Douyin Group, Yan Hao.
Case sharing and fireside chat sessions
This year, GTEF introduced case sharing and fireside chat sessions. In the case sharing session, Deputy Director of the Department of Economics and Management at Sun Yat-sen University, Bao Jigang, used the “Azheke Plan: A New Model for Rural Revitalization” as an example to illustrate how natural and cultural resources attract investments, while revitalizing the rural community for a better future by fostering tourism development.
In the “Fireside Chat: Conversations across Continents: Mountain and Wellness Tourism” held in cooperation with the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA), IMTA Vice Chairman & Secretary-General and GTEF Honorary Chairman He Yafei served as the moderator to lead the discussion on the prospects of mountain destinations and cooperation among the destinations. The panelists include Vice Chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, Xu Jing, and Vice President of Fliggy Travel, Tong Teng.
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