The Global Tourism Economy Forum ('GTEF' or 'the Forum'), an annual mega event for the tourism industry, will be held from 12^th to 14^th October 2015 in Macau themed 'Belt and Road Initiative: Unleashing the New Dynamics of Cultural Tourism'. The Forum will continue its role as a platform for high-level international exchange and co-operation, once again gathering ministerial officials and tourism leaders from different destinations to contribute ideas for fostering global tourism and economic development.

This GTEF edition has successfully lined up the Pacific Alliance countries of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru as the Featured Partner Countries, not only extending the Forum's co-operative network to Latin America but also responding in a timely manner to the latest trends of fostering Sino-Latin American economic and trade relations. Zhejiang Province, a key strategic province along the Maritime Silk Road, will also join the Forum as Featured Province and showcase the cultural power of the Belt and Road through the prominent Poetry and Painting of Zhejiang exhibition.

Hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Forum will present, with UNWTO, the Face to Face, Ministers and Private Sector CEOs session again, gathering ministerial officials from the Pacific Alliance as well as Asian countries and regions to join in a direct dialogue with global business leaders. The Forum will also present three panel discussions on pressing global tourism issues; namely, 'Understanding Chinese Consumer Behaviour and Chinese Overseas Investment' (presented by Bank of America Merrill Lynch), 'Exploring the Full Dimension of Cultural Tourism - Cultural Heritage and Creative Living Culture' (presented by media partner), and 'Driving Cultural Awareness through Social Media' (presented by Pacific Asia Travel Association & Connecting Travel).

Further, the Forum is committed to supporting strategy research for tourism and economic development. The Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC) and UNWTO will present their second joint research project, UNWTO/GTERC Annual Report 2015 on Asia Tourism Trends, which will provide an in-depth analysis of the latest developments in Asian tourism trends. In addition, business matching and networking programmes will be organized to provide Forum attendees with ample opportunity to discuss and forge new partnerships in tourism.

The fourth Forum edition will be graced by domestic and foreign dignitaries, industry leaders and experts. Through discussions among stakeholders and experts from the tourism, investment, financial services, hotel, Internet and transportation sectors, the Forum will broaden attendees' vision and unveil vast opportunities for the tourism economy along the Belt and Road. GTEF seeks to foster inspirational ideas and insights for attendees from around the world, forging cross-sector, cross-regional partnerships and making long-term contributions to the sustainable development of the global tourism economy.

More information about GTEF at: http://gte-forum.com