Hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and coordinated by the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, the third Global Tourism Economy Forum (‘GTEF’ or ‘the Forum’) will take place at The Venetian Macao from 27^th to 29^th October 2014 revolving around the theme ‘Maritime Silk Road - From Macau we Begin’. The Forum will explore strategic intercontinental co-operation driving tourism and business opportunities across nations, provinces and cities dotting the ancient maritime silk road route. The GTEF has attracted delegations from numerous countries - from Mexico to Kazakhstan – as well as provinces from Mainland China like Jiangxi and Shandong.

Macau has closely adhered to the Central Government's ‘Twelfth Five-Year Plan’ in order to establish the city as a ‘World Centre of Tourism and Leisure’ as well as a ‘Regional Trade and Business Service Platform’. According to the World Tourism Organization, Macau ranked a global 19^th in terms of international tourist arrivals last year; in terms of tourism income in 2013, Macau ranked 5^th in the world. This year marks the 15^th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macau SAR, a time when the Global Tourism Economy Forum will have been held here for the third year in a row. It serves as a great opportunity for Macau to function as a platform and forge ahead with its primary goal of becoming a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Absorbing information about the latest tourism trends and gaining relevant experience from the international forum, as well as exploring ideas and generating solutions, will undoubtedly help the SAR achieve this objective.

In addition, the UNWTO and Global Tourism Economy Research Centre will study issues discussed in the Forum, and publish the first report of their joint research prior to its conclusion. The new addition of the Pavilion Exhibition will enable participating countries and regions to showcase their tourism resources and abilities in order to create more networking opportunities for global tourism co-operation and its further development.

The Global Tourism Economy Forum is co-organised by the China Chamber of Tourism under the auspices of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and co-ordinated by the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre. Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Edmund Ho Hau Wah is the Forum Chairman, while Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government, Cheong U, serves as its Executive Chairman.