GTEF Host Series of Promotional Activities

Macao will host the 6th Global Tourism Economy Forum in October

The 6 th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) - to be held in Macao from 16th to 17th October - is to be themed 'Regional Collaboration Towards A Better Future'. Inspired by the '16+1' economic framework initiated by China to intensify and expand co-operation with Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs), GTEF 2017 will feature 16 diverse and culturally rich CEECs, with a series of promotional activities undertaken in Berlin, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

The first stop of GTEF 2017's international roadshow was ITB Berlin, the world's largest travel trade show. The GTEF delegation held a number of promotional activities in Berlin from 8 th to 10th March; in the promotional section of the Hungarian Embassy the delegation introduced the details and activities of GTEF 2017 on 8th March.

Riding on the opportunity of the inaugural ITB China, GTEF 2017 made Shanghai its latest roadshow stop with a networking luncheon in Tomorrow Square on 9 th May attended by representatives of the travel industry from 16 Central and Eastern European countries, Chinese outbound tour operators and travel agencies, the travel and trade industry, leading MICE operators from Macao plus potential sponsors and media to facilitate exchange and enhance mutual understanding among these groups.

The luncheon was also designed to elevate awareness of GTEF in both the China and CEEC tourism sectors, and to promote the Forum as a one-stop medium for tourism stakeholders to expand their business reach within the region.

In addition, GTEF hosted a networking luncheon in Guangzhou on 4 th July, highlighting the unique opportunities GTEF 2017 offers, including agenda-setting programmes, trade exhibition and business matching for tourism peers.

Leading MICE operators from Macao including Galaxy Macau, SJM Holdings, MGM Macau and Sands China were all present to provide an industry update, familiarizing prospective GTEF 2017 delegates with Macao's world-class MICE capabilities. Invitations were extended to tourism stakeholders to participate in GTEF 2017 and to capitalize on new tourism opportunities through GTEF's one-stop business matching platform.

GTEF 2017 will feature the 16 diverse and culturally rich CEECs (namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia). In addition, GTEF 2017 will present spectacular Guizhou Province as the Featured Chinese Province, bringing a truly promising tourism market mix to the Forum.

For more information about GTEF 2017, please visit www.gte-forum.com.