Global Tourism Economy Forum to be unveiled in October

Press conference for The Global Tourism Economy Forum.Macau 2016

The Global Tourism Economy Forum.Macau 2016 ('GTEF'), scheduled to be held at Studio City Macau on the 15th and 16th October, will dedicate itself to the theme of 'The Growing Consumer Class – Rethinking and Reshaping the Future Tourism Landscape' and will zero in on how this rising resourceful and tech-savvy group is more than ever an increasingly influential force in the tourism industry.

GTEF 2016's thought-provoking programme will include the Forum's signature 'Face to Face, Ministers and Private Sector CEOs' session in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), where leadership from the public and private sectors will tackle the subject of 'Harnessing the 1 Billion+ Opportunities'. Industry leaders will share various insights in sessions such as 'Maximizing the Dualities of the Chinese Consumers', 'Embracing Multi-faceted Chinese Travellers' and 'Tourism and Technology: the Inseparable Duo'.

For this anniversary edition, GTEF will present a series of inspiring new sessions, including 'GTEF 5th Anniversary Special Keynote – The Forces Shaping China's Economic Future', a high-level dialogue between a heavyweight Chinese dignitary and a visionary business leader; 'Youth Leadership Roundtable – Understanding the Millennial Consumer and Social Engagement'; 'Urban Tourism Consumption Revolution'; and 'Investment Workshop – The Burgeoning Consumer Class: Investing in a New Era'.

During the Forum, UNWTO and the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC) will present their third Joint Annual Report on Asian Tourism Trends, with special chapters on travel trends driven by the growing consumer class and tourism investment (infrastructure investment and human capital investment), providing once again an in-depth analysis of the latest tourism development in Asia.

GTEF has invited France and Beijing to grace the Forum as its featured partners this year. Featured as GTEF's Partner Country, France will detail how the country continues its cultural legacy and maximizes its influence beyond borders through cultural exchanges in a session titled 'France: Arts and Culture as Drivers of Tourism'. Featured as GTEF's partner city, Beijing Municipality will showcase the state capital as an epicentre of Chinese culture and economic power, shedding light on China's three millennia of history and heritage and on the distinctive preferences of Chinese consumers.