Global Tourism Economy Forum Takes Place in Macao for Six Consecutive Years

GTEF 2017 highlights the 16 diverse and culturally rich Central and Eastern European Countries together with Guizhou province

The Global Tourism Economy Forum.Macau 2017 (GTEF) - slated for 16th and 17th October, and themed 'Regional Collaboration Towards a Better Future' - will zero in on forward-thinking dialogue to mine deeper regional collaboration and foster tourism development. At the same time, championing China's unprecedented and visionary Belt and Road Initiative, GTEF 2017 explores how tourism collaboration characterized by shared interests and mutual respect is conducive to the building of "a community of common destiny" between nations and regions.

This year's Forum supports China's Belt and Road Initiative and embraces the '16+1' economic framework under which China partners 16 diverse and culturally rich Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs).The 2017 Featured Partner Countries showcases Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia. Through presentation and tourism exchange sessions, these countries, in addition to Guizhou Province, will highlight the vast tourism resources they possess, while offering GTEF delegates a fresh perspective on the potential of the global tourism economy.

In addition to a series of keynote sessions, GTEF 2017's programme will include the Forum's signature 'Face to Face, Ministers and Private Sector CEOs' session in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in which leaders from the public and private sectors will tackle the subject of 'Embracing Regional Collaboration for Collective Growth'. Industry leaders will share various insights in sessions such as 'Promoting a Shared Vision through Regional Collaboration', 'Driving Tourism Economic Growth through Innovation and Technology' and 'The Greater Bay Area – Visionary Collaboration in the Making'.

During the Forum, UNWTO and the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC) will present their Joint Annual Report on Asian Tourism Trends, showcasing how technology is driving revolutionary transformation in the tourism industry as well as highlighting the importance of regional collaboration.