UNWTO and GTEF Announce Plans for Enhanced Partnership and Annual Forum

Lisbon, Portugal. Photo source: UNWTO.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Global Tourism Economic Forum (GTEF) have recently announced their plans for closer collaboration and a revamped annual Forum.

Since 2012, the two organizations have partnered to promote closer links between governments and the private sector in the tourism industry.

To mark the 10th anniversary of the Forum in Macau, China, on September 21, 2023, UNWTO and GTEF will launch a new and enhanced annual Forum. The location of subsequent Forums will alternate between Macau and a different host country, jointly selected by the two organizations.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. Photo source: UNWTO.

The 10th edition of GTEF will be held under the theme of “Destination 2030: Unlocking Tourism for Business and Development,” bringing together leaders from the public and private sectors to establish the Forum as the premier annual event for public-private partnerships and tourism business growth and development.

“UNWTO is proud to work with the Global Tourism Economic Forum to unite governments and private sector leaders and address the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our sector today,” said Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General.

Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF, Pansy Ho, added that “looking forward to the future, we believe that mainland China, Macao, and even the world can benefit from the event.”

GTEF Vice Chairman and Secretary-General Pansy Ho. Photo source: UNWTO.

In Lisbon, UNWTO also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC), the coordinator of GTEF, to identify areas of future cooperation.

Joining the UNWTO Secretary-General for the announcement were Chief Executive of Macao SAR, Ho Iat Seng; Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Portuguese Republic, Zhao Bentang; and Secretary of State for Tourism, Trade, and Services, Portugal, Nuno Fazenda.