Macau To Host Crucial Global Tourism Forum

Stephen Wynn

Chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts Stephen Wynn will be among a host of key speakers at this year's annual Global Tourism Economy Forum in Macau.

Also speaking at the September 17-19 forum - in the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre - will be Shao Qi Wei, Chairman of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and Michael Frenzel, Chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council.

They will be joined by Mari Elka Pangestu, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Republic of Indonesia, Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia and Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of World Tourism Organisation UNWTO.

It will be the second consecutive year such a forum has been hosted in the former Portuguese enclave with more than 1000 delegates from 34 cities around the world to attend last year's inaugural event.

The forum is billed as one of the most important tourism events in China's affluent Pearl River Delta Region. To register costs $US650 or 5070 MOP, group discounts apply.

Among last year's 48 speakers was Australian Christopher Brown, special representative of the World Tourism Organisation UNWTO.

This year's topic - Regenerate Our Economies: Invest in Travel and Tourism - is expected to attract another high-level gathering of key decision-makers in the global travel and tourism sector.

The forum's objective is to give influential government and business leaders from China, and countries from Asia and around the world an opportunity to share insights and solutions, as well as a chance to connect and co-operate.

"By bridging the economic advantages and resources of the East with the innovation and expertise of the West, the forum aims to spark beneficial partnerships that have the power to shape the industry towards sustainable growth on a global scale," say organisers.

"The world is changing at an astonishing pace. Asia, in particular, has been at the forefront of this transformation and intense growth.

"One of the characterising phenomena of the period is a proliferation of tourists driving not only domestic travel, but also global movement of people. With the increased wealth from the East, the travel industry is quickly adjusting and adapting to the new market dynamics, not only to attract visitors to destinations overseas, but also harness investment opportunities from within source markets, such as China.

"With its unbeatable location at the gateway to China as well as its leadership position in Asia's booming tourism economy, Macau is a natural choice for hosting the first Global Tourism Economy Forum."

Over the past decade, Macau has grown at a miraculous pace, with the tourism industry powering this transformation. Despite a population of 600,000, Macau recorded a record of more than 28 million visitors in 2012.

Like last year's forum, the objective of the 2013 gathering will be to share ideas and generate solutions on how the industry can continue to positively impact the world economy.

Conceived by the China Chamber of Tourism, hosted by the Macau SAR Government and coordinated by the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, the forum 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."

Through discussions between delegates and tourism stakeholders, the forum is expected to uncover a wealth of opportunities in the industry, as well as a power to drive social and economic development.

Details on how to register: www.GTE-Forum.com