Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On said yesterday that the local tourism sector and related industries should take the Global Tourism Economy Forum as an opportunity to find new ideas so as to make further progress.
The three-day forum, themed “Maritime Silk Road – From Macau We Begin,” opened at the Venetian yesterday.
Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Global Tourism Economy Forum Chairman Edmund Ho Hau Wah pointed out in his speech that the theme of the forum is based on the central government’s initiative of establishing the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road”.
“Tourism is defined as the fifth strategic pillar industry of the country’s 12th Five-Year Plan and is also an indispensable element for building the new Maritime Silk Road economic belt,” Ho said, adding that the forum’s high-level dialogue sessions would help explore how tourism can be the driving force to build the new Maritime Silk Road.
Ho is Chui’s predecessor as Macau’s head of government.
Chui said in his speech that as Macau was once one of the major ports along the Maritime Silk Road, he hopes that the city, through the forum, could once again use its unique geographic and historic advantages to enhance the capabilities of the tourism industry while developing integrated tourism.
In addition, as the forum strives to serve as a platform for industry partners around the world to exchange perspectives and discuss new possibilities for co-operation, Chui said he hoped the local tourism sector could get inspiration from the forum to make improvements.
“The event also creates a wonderful opportunity for Macau’s tourism and related industries to develop innovative ideas and make unprecedented progress,” Chui said, pointing out that the government continues to support the local tourism sector to optimise its service and hardware facilities to be more competitive and move towards modern and international levels. (macaunews/macaupost)
