MGTO attends First World Conference on Tourism for Development in Beijing

Cecilia Tse (middle) and guest speaker Pansy Ho (second from left) attended the Summit

Jointly organized by the Government of the People's Republic of China and World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and co-hosted by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, the First World Conference on Tourism for Development was officially held in Beijing from 18th to 21st May. Some 70 ministerial officials from 107 countries and regions - plus 14 international organizations - attended the Conference. Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) attended the event as an Associate Member of the World Tourism Organization.

Under the theme 'Tourism for Peace and Development', the Conference included an opening ceremony and the Summit in the programme. In addition to sharing their latest experiences of global tourism development and promotion of United Nation's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, delegates considered systematic studies on ways to enhance international and regional cooperation as well as integrated development in tourism, the fostering of balanced and sustainable development of the global tourism industry, and how tourism growth can benefit more people in the world, among other issues. The Conference also adopted and published the Beijing Declaration as one of its accomplishments.

The opening ceremony, held at the Golden Hall in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 19th May, was attended by the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Li Keqiang, who delivered a speech, as well as the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations (UN), Wu Hongbo, who read out the congratulatory letter from Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, and Secretary-General of UNWTO, Taleb Rifai, who delivered a speech on the occasion. The opening ceremony of the Conference was officiated by CNTA Chairman Li Jinzao.

During his keynote speech at the opening ceremoy, CNTA Chairman Li Jinzao stated that 153 countries and regions around the world have become the outbound tourism destinations for Chinese citizens. Among these destinations, group tour businesses have been inaugurated officially in 121 countries and regions. “China's inbound and outbound tourism is set to boom over the next five years with more than 600 million tourists. CNTA is eager to extend its partnership with different countries and regions. Seeking to raise the level of freedom, safety, convenience and leisure for travellers, CNTA will steadily lower visa restrictions, refine the tourism policy on border crossing, simplify checkpoint formalities, shorten tourists' commute and lower travel expenses. In the next five years, China is expected to export 150 million outbound Chinese tourists to neighbouring countries, generating at least US$200 billion in visitor spending," he remarked.

The Secretary-General of UNWTO, Taleb Rifai, said that tourism is one of the fastest growing industries, accounting for 10 per cent of the world's GDP. The sector has a vast potential to address some of the most pressing challenges. Tourism fosters economic growth, promotes inclusive development and encourages environmental preservation. Moreover, tourism can help the world build a more tolerant and peaceful society through the millions of encounters that take place every day around the world.

MGTO Deputy Director Cecilia Tse attended the opening ceremony, keynote speeches and the Summit among other activities in the programme, as well as the presentation banquet 'Beautiful China‧Beijing Night'. Macao entrepreneur Pansy Ho was among the guest speakers at the Summit.

MGTO also paid a courtesy visit to the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) on the morning of 18th May to further enhance mutual connections and communication. MGTO Deputy Director Cecilia Tse presented Macao's tourism situation and the upcoming events in the latter half of this year to WTCF Deputy Secretary-General Li Baochun, and expressed her wish that WTCF mark its presence in the Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo and the Global Tourism Economy Forum, both coming up in Macao in the latter half of 2016.


An Associate Member of UNWTO since 1981, Macao has since laid a solid foundation for collaboration with UNWTO with active participation and support given to various events and projects of the Organization, dedicating great efforts to advancing its co-operation with international partners in the field of tourism and raising its destination profile in the international community.