UN Tourism & UTM highlight meetings & events as drivers for local development
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UN Tourism’s Programme Officer for the Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific - Christine Brew, on her part underscored the immense economic power of the meetings and events industry as well as its significant contribution to local development, travel and tourism and global GDP.
The 17th UTM-UN Tourism Training Programme, organised by Macao University of Tourism (UTM) in collaboration with UN Tourism, focused on "Leveraging Meetings and Events for Local Development." The four-day training programme (October 21-24), sponsored by MGM, brought together renowned industry leaders, academics, and practitioners from across the Asia-Pacific region.
In her opening remarks, Fanny Vong, Rector of UTM, emphasised the training programme's significance saying: “Our longstanding collaboration with UN Tourism has covered a lot of ground, ranging from sustainable tourism planning to destination branding. This year, we explore how meetings and events can become drivers of local prosperity, strengthening destination branding and fostering public-private partnerships that empower youth development and advance sustainability. Here in Macao, where MICE is a key pillar of economic diversification, this discussion is especially pertinent.”
UN Tourism’s Programme Officer for the Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific - Christine Brew, on her part underscored the immense economic power of the meetings and events industry as well as its significant contribution to local development, travel and tourism and global GDP. In his congratulatory remarks, Iwan Dietschi, Senior Vice President of Hospitality at MGM, spotlighted MGM's support for tourism education and development in Macao.
The speakers in attendance included representatives from China Convention, Exhibition, Event Society (CCEES), Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, China, Galaxy Entertainment Group, International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Macao Government Tourism Office, MGM, Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS), Union des Foires Internationales (UFI), and faculty members of Macao University of Tourism (UTM).
