Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism U Ohn Maung and Myanmar delegation attended the Global Tourism Economy Forum for 2019 in Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China at the invitation of its government.

The forum was jointly organized by the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and the Social Affairs and Culture of Macao from 13 to 15 October.

On 14 October morning, the Union Minister and party met with Mar Edmund Ho Hau Wah, the Vice Chairman of The National Committee of The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the former Chief Executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region.

During the meeting with Dr Alexis Tam Chon Weng, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Union Minister U Ohn Maung discussed systematic management in spending of Chinese tourists, establishment a tourism academy with the assistance of WTCF, training programmes, standards and norms for hotels, attractions to Chinese and European tourists to Myanmar and cooperation in tourism investments.

On that afternoon, the Union Minister and party attended a luncheon at the Grand Hyatt Macao, together with the ministers and deputy minister from Argentina, Brazil and Cambodia.

Union Minister U Ohn Maung attended the opening ceremony of the ‘Global Tourism Economy Forum’ held at MGM Cotai Hotel. He took part in a panel discussion of ‘Face To Face – Ministers And Private Sector Ceos: How Tourism, Leisure And Sports Lead To A Beautiful Life’ to promote the tourism industry of Myanmar.

On 15 October afternoon, he held meetings with the members of Macau-Myanmar Overseas Chinese Association and Macao-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce, and then attended the closing ceremony of 2019 GTEF.

On 16 October morning, the Union Minister and party proceed to Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region to attend 2019 China-ASEAN Expo Tourism Exhibition from 18 to 20 October.

On 17 October evening, the Union Minister and party held talks with Mr Zhao Lequin, the Vice Chairman of Guangxi Regional People’s Congress; Secretary of the CPC Guilin Committee; Chairman of Guilin People’s Congress, and Mr Bal Songtao, its Deputy Secretary, about bilateral cooperation in development of tourism sector and systematic arrangements for Chinese tourists to Myanmar.

On 18 October morning, the Union Minister and party attended opening ceremony of 2019 China-ASEAN Expo Tourism Exhibition, where he said that he represented Myanmar as a Guest of Honor Country, for the exhibition, as he believed tourism business could create business opportunities and promote friendly relationships among the relevant countries.

He also added Myanmar has enacted a new version of tourism law and relaxed visa restrictions for some countries to attract more tourists, while the country has formed the Foreign Visitor’s Observation Team to help the inbound visitors.

He also welcomed investments in the tourism industry and other business sectors of Myanmar.

The Union Minister and party then looked around the booths of participating countries, including Myanmar, at the exhibition and explained tourism sector and tourist destinations of the country.

On that afternoon, the Myanmar delegation visited significant places and hotels in Guilin.

MNA  (Translated by Aung Khin)