Global Tourism Economy Forum hosts roadshow luncheon in Shanghai

MACAO – Global Tourism Economy Forum (“GTEF” or “the Forum”), the leading international tourism platform designed to promote sustainable development of the global tourism industry with a focus on China, is scheduled to host its 6th annual session from 16 to 17 October 2017 in Macao. GTEF 2017 will engage prominent leaders in the public and private sectors in the discussion on Regional Collaboration and how tourism stakeholders break down barriers, find common ground and grow stronger together.

 

Riding on the opportunity of the inaugural ITB China, the China-focused travel industry event connecting international destinations, service and travel technology providers with leading Chinese buyers, GTEF 2017 made Shanghai its latest roadshow stop with a networking luncheon at JW Marriott Shanghai at Tomorrow Square on May 9 (Tuesday), one day before the kick-off of ITB China. The luncheon was intended to be a networking initiative in advance of the tradeshow to connect representatives of the travel industry from the 16 Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs), Chinese outbound tour operators and travel agencies, travel and trade industry, leading MICE operators from Macao, potential sponsors and media, and to facilitate exchange and enhance mutual understanding among these groups. The luncheon was also intended to elevate awareness of GTEF in both China’s and CEECs’ tourism sectors, and to promote the Forum as a one-stop medium for tourism stakeholders to expand their business reach within the region.

 

During the luncheon, a presentation was delivered by Mr. Jason Wang, Chief Operating Officer of GTEF, to introduce GTEF 2017 and all its activities, including exhibition, business matching sessions, and networking This was followed by a presentation by leading Macao MICE operators to introduce Macao’s MICE facilities and resources, aiming to increase luncheon guests’ knowledge of the city’s world-class MICE capabilities.

 

Prominent guests who attended the luncheon included Ms. Zsuzsa Vincze, Senior Foreign Affairs Advisor of Hungarian Tourism Agency, Mr. Eduardo Santander, Executive Director of European Travel Commission; and Mr. Feng Hongfa, Director of Liaison of Shanghai Federation of Industry and Commerce; and all gave remarks on the promising prospect of Sino-European tourism cooperation. Ms. Dorina Bianchi, Undersecretary of Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism of Italy and Professor Li Zhongguang of China Tourism Academy (CTA), made a joint statement about the collaboration of the two organizations to strengthen Sino-Italian tourism cooperation during 2018 EU-China Tourism Year, an event also supported by GTEF.