September 8, 2020, Macao Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General of the Global Tourism Economy Forum GTEF, Pansy Ho gave a keynote speech at the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development the Conference on September 5 in Beijing. Hosted by the World Tourism Cities Federation, the Conference is held under the framework of the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services CIFTIS. The Conference is held in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization UNWTO and co-organized with over 10 leading international tourism and trade entities such as: the Global Tourism Economy Forum the Forum, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization SCO, the World Travel Tourism Council WTTC, the Pacific Asia Travel Association PATA, the International Congress Convention Association ICCA, World Leisure Organization, the World Tourism Alliance WTA, the International Mountain Tourism Alliance IMTA, Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin ITB Berlin, and the World Travel Market WTM. Conducted in a hybrid onsite and online format, the Conference was broadcasted to 150 WTCF member cities and other 200 WTCF member organizations in 75 countries and regions. Other keynote speakers include: Wang Hong, Executive Vice-Chairman of the WTCF Council and Vice Mayor of Beijing, and Alexandre de Juniac, Director General CEO of the International Air Transport Association IATA. Solidarity and Cooperation Brings Recovery to the Global Tourism Economy The Conference was conducted under the theme “Rebuilding World Tourism for Prosperity” in efforts to provide recovery recommendations to those in the tourism sector that have been impacted by the pandemic. Through her virtual keynote, Global Tourism Economy Forum Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General Pansy Ho expressed, “Around the world, we see green shoots of recovery with the easing of travel restrictions and an increase in domestic travel. Only through solidarity and cooperation can the global tourism economy recover and harness its powerful multiplier effect.” She also referenced the profound vision for collaboration stated by President Xi Jinping during his speech at the Virtual Opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly, “ ‘Mankind is a community with a shared future; solidarity and cooperation is our most powerful weapon for defeating the virus.’ It is in this spirit of a shared future that the international community can find the inspiration to come together and make tourism central to the restart of the global economy to promote prosperity, generate employment and foster new growth drivers.” Furthermore, she expressed, “During the pandemic, closed borders, lockdowns, and a decline in consumer confidence have so far resulted in a global decline of 300 million tourists and USD $320 billion lost in international tourism receipts. This impact is already more than three times the loss suffered during the Global Economic Crisis of 2009. But there are opportunities in all crises and today is an opportunity to rethink the future of tourism and to reinvest in its potential.” Advances in Technology Redefines Travel She believes leveraging technology and innovation will help the tourism sector overcome its current challenges. She points out, “Tools such as facial recognition, digital wallets, biometric surveillance have made travel more of a seamless experience, particularly in transportation and accommodation. At the same time, robotic technology has advanced touchless systems and led to improved hygiene, ensuring safety and boosting traveler confidence. Technology has also helped art, culture, and creativity to continue to thrive. Cultural sites and museums have opened their virtual doors, connecting audiences via livestream to the Palace of Versailles in France, the Palace Museum in Beijing, and the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang City, among many others. Virtual technology has allowed us to continue life’s adventures from our homes as we look forward to traveling again.” Macao Shows Resilience through the Adoption of Innovative Solutions and Cooperative Efforts Pansy Ho used Macao as a case study to showcase successful measures adopted in combating the virus and its implications. In particular, Macao has shown its resilience and put in place innovative solutions and cooperative efforts to revitalize travel and tourism. Several initiatives to support residents, welcome back visitors, and recreate prosperity stand out. She stated, “As a City of Gastronomy and part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Macao has provided support to creative industries and launched financial aid measures to support professionals. This includes free online learning videos to enhance human capital in the gastronomic sector, a ‘Welfare to Work’ program to create favorable working conditions for artists, and an ‘online handicraft teaching’ with videos to promote Macao’s handicrafts and products. Lastly, to further support SMEs, the government designed Macao Ready Go! an e-platform to gather special offers on retail, leisure, and entertainment.” She believes, “Recognizing and making the most of this pivotal moment to revitalize and re-engineer the future of tourism, Macao continues to merit its position as the World Center of Tourism and Leisure and to play its part in the integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.” For more information about GTEF, visit www.gte-forum.com or on social media: https:www.facebook.comgteforum https:www.linkedin.comcompanyglobal-tourism-economy-forum https:twitter.comgteforum http:weibo.comgteforum Wechat ID: GTEForum -End- About Global Tourism Economy Forum The Global Tourism Economy Forum GTEF is hosted by the Macao SAR Government, in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization UNWTO, co-organized by the China Chamber of Tourism TCC under the authorization of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce ACFIC and the Macao Government Tourism Office MGTO, and coordinated by the 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, World Travel and Tourism Council WTTC, Pacific Asia Travel Association PATA, World Tourism Cities Federation WTCF, European Travel Commission ETC, and the Macau Chinese Enterprise Association MCEA. 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 12,700 participants from 90 countries and regions, including delegations from 152 provinces and cities of Mainland China; and 600 internationally renowned speakers who are leaders in public, private, and academic fields. GTEF has continuously received consistent and wide amount of coverage from international press and media, valued up to USD $62 million. Photo Caption Photo 1 Global Tourism Economy Forum Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General, Pansy Ho giving virtual keynote speech at the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development. Photo 2 Global Tourism Economy Forum Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General, Pansy Ho giving virtual keynote speech at the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development.

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4th February 2020 As part of the activities held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Italy diplomatic ties, the China-Italy Year of Culture and Tourism 2020 opened in Rome, Italy on 21st January to promote bilateral exchanges and constructive collaboration between the two countries, with the aim to further strengthen the bond between the two peoples. The event coincided with the upcoming 9th Global Tourism Economy Forum GTEF, hosted in partnership with Italy. To mark this occasion, Ms Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman Secretary-General of GTEF, graced the opening ceremony as the guest representative of GTEF and gave a speech at the China-Italy Tourism Forum to share insights into China-Italy strategic cooperation in the development of tourism, setting the scene for creative and constructive flow of discussions to come. Meanwhile, the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre GTERC also rang up the curtain on the pre-GTEF roadshow activities, bringing together ministers and industry leaders from participating countries in Rome. Entitled ‘Heritage and Tourism – China-Italy Cultural and Tourism Cooperation’, the China-Italy Tourism Forum aimed to boost the bilateral partnership in order to promote tourism and the common ground of profound cultural heritage that’s found in both countries. Chaired by Francesco Rutelli, the Italian coordinator of the Sino-Italian cultural cooperation, the forum received congratulatory letters from both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italian President Sergio Mattarella. Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Luo Shugang joined Italian Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities Dario Franceschini to deliver opening speeches in the Forum. Following the opening ceremony, Dean of the China Tourism Research Institute Dai Bin presented the Report on China-Italy Tourism Cooperation and Exchanges, offering food for thought for attending industry leaders to shape the agenda for the ‘new era of tourism cooperation based on cultural exchanges.’ The Forum was divided into three sessions, probing new possibilities in tightening the Sino-Italian partnership in the pursuit of comprehensive tourist experiences that combine the old and new from the perspectives of heritage conservation, technology and sustainability respectively. The first session centred on the theme ‘Entwining Heritage Tourism Exchange.’ Leading the discussion on the importance of world heritage in promoting tourism was GTEF Vice Chairman and Secretary-General Pansy Ho, who was joined by CEO of Ctrip Jane Sun; Director and General Manager of Overseas Chinese Town Holdings Limited Yao Jun; Italian Undersecretary of Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities Lorenza Bonaccorsi; General Director of Museums of the Italian Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Tourism MIBAC, Antonio Lampis; and Chairperson of FICO Foundation Andrea Segrè in a fruitful dialogue on the rejuvenation and sustainability of history, heritage and culture. ‘Macao is a textbook case of cultural diversification, which makes the city the perfect stage for the annual GTEF events. We have come a long way in building up holistic tourism on a robust economy,’ said Pansy Ho in her speech. ‘We must impart the idea of tourism as a means of passing down heritage and culture, as opposed to mere entertainment, to the younger generation. Through the tourist experience, we are passing on the torch of civilisation. In the future, our job is to engage young people through innovation, thereby nurturing in them the genuine love for our heritage and culture, and eventually a sense of national pride. I think this is the challenge facing the culturally rich nations of China and Italy.’ As a leading international exchange platform dedicated to the promotion of sustainable development of tourism, the Global Tourism Economy Forum strives to convene in Macao global policy makers, scholars, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and young professionals to catalyse discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing the global tourism economy, with a focus on China. The 9th GTEF is slated to open in Macao in October 2020. With its strategic position, Macao is a 'Centre of World Tourism and Leisure’, and an integral city of the Greater Bay Area. To commemorate 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Italy, the GTEF has invited Italy, the first G7 member to participate in the ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative, to join the featured Chinese Province Gansu, a strategic bastion on the ancient Silk Road and ‘One Belt One Road’, on a cultural journey where the heritages of two great civilisations entwine as a prelude to a tightened bilateral partnership between China and Italy in tourism development. Image 1, 2: Entitled ‘Entwining Heritage and Tourism Exchange’, the first discussion session on the importance of World Heritage in promoting tourism is led by GTEF Vice Chairman and Secretary-General Pansy Ho, who is joined by CEO of Ctrip Jane Sun; Director and General Manager of Overseas Chinese Town Holdings Limited Yao Jun; Italian Undersecretary of Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities Lorenza Bonaccorsi; General Director of Museums of the Italian Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Tourism MIBAC, Antonio Lampis; and Chairperson of FICO Foundation Andrea Segrè in a fruitful dialogue on the rejuvenation and sustainability of history, heritage and culture. Stay tuned for more information about GTEF viawww.gte-forum.comand on its social media channels:https:www.facebook.comgteforumhttps:www.linkedin.comcompanyglobal-tourism-economy-forumhttps:twitter.comgteforumhttp:weibo.comgteforumwechat ID: GTEForum– END –About Global Tourism Economy ForumThe 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, co-organized by Macao Government Tourism Office MGTO, 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, 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.

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