47^th Skål Asia Area Congress Themed Gastronomy Tourism

Hosted by Skål International Macau, with the support of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), the 47^th Skål Asia Area Congress, held from 21^st to 24^th June in Macao, assembled some 170 'skålleagues' of 22 Skål clubs from 15 countries and regions across Asia.

A Memorandum of Understanding between Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Skål International boosting co-operation between the two tourism associations was also inked on this momentous occasion.

Congress themed around gastronomy tourism

This year, the Congress was themed around Gastronomy Tourism, highlighting Macao as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Accordingly, presentations and debates on tourism, gastronomy and sustainable development were presented by several guest speakers. Chief Executive Officer of PATA Mario Hardy spoke about sustainable tourism development, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes elaborated upon how Macao is transforming itself into a world centre of tourism and leisure, while Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Grant Bowie shared his vision on tourism and leisure innovation in Macao, and Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute Executive Director Irene Lau presented developments in the local MICE sector.

The Congress also included a debate on tourism and gastronomy featuring as speakers the President of the Macau Culinary Association, Perry Yuen, Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, the focal point of Shunde, China, for UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Fang Li, and moderated by MGTO Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong. In addition, a discussion on young Skål in the Asian area was initiated.

Participants also joined heritage and other tours, with technical visits to new tourism infrastructures arranged to experience and understand the city's gastronomy and latest offerings of the Macao tourism industry.

Macao hosts Skål Asia Area Congress for third time

This was the third occasion that Macao had hosted the Skål Asia Area Congress, with the first two editions hosted by the city in 1994 and 2007. Macao also co-hosted the annual Congress with Hong Kong in 1981. Next year, the Congress moves to Bangalore, India.

Headquartered in Spain, Skål International was founded in 1934 and is an international association that brings professionals together from all sectors of the tourism industry. Its primary objective is to promote tourism and enhance business contacts whilst promoting friendship among the members of the tourism sector. Currently, there are close to 400 Skål Clubs in 95 countries and regions around the world supported by approximately 14 thousand members. Skål International - Macau was established in 1979.