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Global Tourism Economy Forum This Year’s Visited Partner Countries Argentina and Brazil
Led by Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF, objective of this mission was two-fold: The Delegation meets the head of state and Ministries of Tourism of Argentina and Brazil, introduces GTEF 2019 and extends invitation to major chambers of commerce, tourism associations and industry leaders to attend related GTEF official events.

Global Tourism Economy Forum Visited Partner Countries Argentina and Brazil to Deepen Cooperation, Strengthen Mutual Understanding and Extend Tourism Exchange

Delegation of Global Tourism Economy Forum (“GTEF” or “the Forum”) recently completed an official visit to Argentina and Brazil, GTEF 2019 Partner Countries. Led by Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF, objective of this mission was two-fold: The Delegation meets the head of state and Ministries of Tourism of Argentina and Brazil, introduces GTEF 2019 and extends invitation to major chambers of commerce, tourism associations and industry leaders to attend related GTEF official events. The latest GTEF visit to its Partner Countries is also dedicated to making contributions for deepening China-Argentina and China-Brazil relations. This is also the occasion which stimulates new ideas for the preparation of GTEF 2019, and eventually fosters a broader tourism exchange and cooperation among the nations. In addition, GTEF establishes the bridges connecting Chinese, Argentine and Brazilian enterprises to explore tourism and investment collaborations and opportunities.
During The official visit in Argentina, (Left) Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of Global Tourism Economy Forum, was received by Mauricio Macri, President of Argentina.
The Delegation also paid visit to the Ministry of Tourism of Argentina and met José Gustavo Santos, Minister of Tourism of Argentina; and Sebastián Slobayen, Secretary of Coordination and Tourism Investments National Tourism Ministry of Argentina. The meeting was focused on exploring China-Argentina tourism collaboration possibilities, particularly on attracting tourism investment to Argentina and facilitating respective business matching. Besides, the Delegation attended meetings with tourism leaders like Alejo Rodríguez Cacio, General Director of InvestBA; Eugenio Bréard, President of Administration of Natural Parks (APN); Aldo Elías, President of Argentine Chamber of Tourism (CAT); Andrés Miguel Fassi, President of Club Atlético Talleres; and Ramiro Alem, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Inversiones en Turismo (InverTUR), and engaged with tourism representatives from Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Jujuy Province, Chubut Province, Rio Negro Province, Mendoza Province and Corrientes Province. The rewarding meetings offered a better picture on the characteristics and prospects of Argentine tourism industry and regional markets. Conversely, Argentine tourism community learnt important information on Chinese tourism market from the Delegation. Prior travelling to Buenos Aires, the Delegation was greeted by Hugo Passalacqua, Governor of Misiones Province; José María Arrúa, Minister of Tourism of Misiones; and Iván Piedrabuena, Director of Tourism of Iguazú.
The Delegation met José Gustavo Santos, Minister of Tourism of Argentina (5th on left) and explored China-Argentina tourism collaboration possibilities.
The Delegation continued its trip at Brasilia, capital of Brazil. Wang Ping, Vice Chairman of GTEF and Chairman of China Chamber of Tourism, was received by Hamilton Mourão, Vice-President of Brazil. The Forum’s effectiveness was recognized by Vice-President Mourão and earned his promise to attend GTEF 2019 this October.
(Left) Wang Ping, Vice Chairman of GTEF and Chairman of China Chamber of Tourism, was received by Hamilton Mourão, Vice-President of Brazil.
This was coupled with an appointment with Marcelo Álvaro Antônio, Minister of Tourism of Brazil; Daniel Nepomuceno, Vice Minister of Tourism of Brazil; and Leônidas Oliveira, President of Brazilian Tourism Board (Embratur) at Brasilia. There were also exchanges between various Brazilian tourism officials and leaders and the Delegation on facilitating wider China-Brazil tourism cooperation through market open-up. The Delegation comprehensively understood the country’s different tourism segments, and Brazilian tourism peers became more familiarized with Chinese tourism market in return. Among the attendees were Bob dos Santos, National Secretary of Interinstitutional Integration of Ministry of Tourism; Aluizer Malab B. do Nascimento, National Secretary of Tourism Development and Competitiveness, Ministry of Tourism; Robson Borchio, National Secretary of Tourism Structuring of Ministry of Tourism; Rubem Amaral, Tourism and Sport General Coordinator of Ministry of Exterior Relations; Leonardo Resende, Secretariat of Tourism of Government of the Federal District; Walter Bittar, Government Relations Advisor of The Integrated System of Parks and Tourist Attractions (SINDEPAT); Lamarck Freire Rolim, Ethics Counselor of Brazilian Travel Agencies Association (ABAV); and Adriana Pinto, President of Brazilian Forum of Hotel Operators (FOHB).
Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF (2nd on left), led the delegation to attend a meeting with Marcelo Álvaro Antônio, Minister of Tourism of Brazil (3rd on left); Daniel Nepomuceno, Vice Minister of Tourism of Brazil (4th on left); and various Brazilian tourism organizations for comprehensively understanding the country’s different tourism segments.
Meanwhile, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General Ho traveled to Sao Paulo and was received by João Doria, Governor of State of Sao Paulo and Vinicius Lummertz, Secretary of Tourism of State of Sao Paulo, for a constructive dialogue around tourism economy. The Delegation later arrived at Sao Paulo and, engaged in conversations with dignitaries and business leader to better understand one of Brazil’s major tourist destinations and share experience in optimizing development of tourism economy. Joining the meeting were Luigi Nese, President of Nacional Confederation of Services of Brazil (CNS); Henrique Magalhães Teixeira, Vice-Mayor of Campinas Municipality; Carlos Bezerra Jr., Municipal Secretary of Sports and Leisure of Sao Paulo; Reinaldo Carneiro Bastos, President of Paulista Soccer Federation; André Friedheim, President of Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF); Ruben Moratorio, President of Brazil China Institute of Santa Catarina (IBCDESC); and Paulo Bastos Cruz Filho, President of Portuguese Language Countries Cultural Union (CPLP), among all.
GTEF delegation was received by Zou Xiaoli (middle), Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Argentine Republic.
In addition, the Delegation was welcome by Zou Xiaoli, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Argentine Republic; and Yang Wanming, Ambassador of The People's Republic of China to Republic of Brazil, respectively. The ambassadors generously shared the latest China-Argentina and China-Brazil updates on tourism, cultural and economic relations, and expressed full support for coordinating and promoting Argentine and Brazilian tourism community to Macao and participate in GTEF 2019.
GTEF delegation paid visit to Yang Wanming, Ambassador of The People's Republic of China to Republic of Brazil (middle).
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About Global Tourism Economy Forum
The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) is hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, in collaboration with World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), co-organized by the China Chamber of Tourism under the authorization of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and coordinated by Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC). GTEF’s supporting units include the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and European Travel Commission (ETC).

Since its inception in 2012, GTEF has successfully established itself as an influential high-level cooperation platform to promote sustainable development in the global tourism industry with a focus on China. To date, GTEF had received more than 10,783 participants from 89 countries and regions, including delegations from 147 provinces and cities of Mainland China; and 570 internationally renowned speakers.