WTCF Attends the Global Tourism Economy Forum·Macao 2020

On December 9th, 2020, Chen Dong, Secretary-General of World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) attended the Global Tourism Economy Forum·Macao 2020 online. The GTEF·Macao 2020 was themed on "Solidarity and Innovation: Reshaping Tourism in the New Global Economy" and was broadcasted live to the globe on and offline, including the opening ceremony, special keynote, forums, China story, interviews and special session. Present at the forum were more than 30 important guests, including Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Ho Hau Wah, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Gao Yunlong, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Hu Heping, Minister of Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, and Ahmed al-Khateeb, Minister of Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia. Over 400,000 viewers around the globe watched the forum online.

Source: Macao SAR Government

Chen Dong, Secretary-General of WTCF, spoke on behalf of the sponsors, attended the opening ceremony of the forum as both the guest and host, and delivered a speech in the "Special Session: Solidarity to Reshape the Tourism Economy" segment, when the program was broadcast live online.

During the "Special Session: Solidarity to Reshape the Tourism Economy" section, Secretary-General Chen Dong answered questions from host Pansy Ho, who served as both Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of Global Tourism Economy Forum, and systematically demonstrated how domestic cities shall work together to promote the re-growth of tourism. He stressed that COVID-19 has been devastating to the whole world giving rise to a period of instability and uncertainty. In such a context, China's tourism shall focus on meeting the domestic demand for tourism consumption and strike a dynamic balance where the demand drives the supply and the supply in turn creates demand. Chen Dong also elaborated on how China has been invigorating the domestic tourism market, improving digitalization in the sector, enhancing the system of the tourism economy, and boosting its consumption.

Source: Macao SAR Government

This part presented an in-depth discussion among the international organizations on how global tourism shall rise to the current challenges and how the sector shall strive to rebuild itself. This address was intended to prove that the united sector is determined and fully able to overcome the pertinent challenges, thus providing global motivation while boosting confidence in tourism. Among exchanges from the WTCF, the event also included addresses from secretary-generals and associates of Pacific Asia Travel Association, European Travel Commission, World Tourism Alliance, International Mountain Tourism Alliance and China Chamber of Tourism.