MGTO attends the 21st Session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Colombia

The 21st Session of the UNWTO General Assembly is held at Medellin, the second largest city in Colombia from 12-17 September. Deputy Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), Cheng Wai Tong, attended the Assembly and the activities concerned. 
 

This Session of the General Assembly meets under the theme “Tourism: Fostering Inclusive Development and Social Transformation” for six days of meetings and activities including an opening ceremony, High-level Forum, Plenary sessions, Regional Committee Meetings for different regions, Tourism & Sustainability Committee Meeting, Tourism & Competitiveness Committee Meeting and so forth. Among the highlights of the program, MGTO attended the Opening, Regional Committee Meeting for East Asia and Pacific, UNWTO Associate Members Meeting as well as Plenary sessions and so forth. During the Associate Members Meeting, it has been confirmed that Macau will continue to participate at the “UNWTO Committee on Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account” (STSC) until 2017.
 

MGTO Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong attends the UNWTO Associate Members Meeting
 

The High-level Forum was organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) under the theme “Tourism and Air Transport for Development”. Moderated by the Secretary-General of UNWTO, Taleb Rifai, and the Secretary-General of ICAO, Fang Liu, the Forum focused on how closer cooperation between aviation and tourism can maximize the impact of both sectors on employment, inclusive growth and sustainable development.
 

Held every two years, the UNWTO General Assembly is the most important international meeting attended by senior tourism officials and high-level representatives of the private sector from around the world. The Secretary-General of UNWTO, Taleb Rifai expressed that this is one of the most attended General Assembly ever, with close to 1000 participants including over 72 ministers and state secretaries and delegations from 115 countries/regions. This is the second time for Columbia to host the event. Chosen as the destination for the Assembly, Medellin is known as one of the most innovative cities and well acclaimed for its integrated public transportation system, architecture, culture and art. 
 

An associate member of UNWTO since 1981, Macau has been actively participating in the Organization’s meetings.

 

Photo caption: MGTO Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong and UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai