Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is participating in the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Summit 2021, which opened today (April 27) in a virtual format, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Centered around the theme “Reflect, Reconnect, Revive”, the event is holding a string of sessions to discuss key issues facing the tourism industry as it looks towards recovery. The programme also includes once again a platform for tourism students and young professionals, with MGTO Director, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, acting as one of this year’s PATA Youth Mentors.

Forum discusses new models and revitalization of the industry

Running until Thursday (April 29), a forum and a leaders debate are the main highlights of the virtual PATA Annual Summit (PAS) 2021, featuring among the speakers top industry leaders from public and private sectors, ranging from international organizations, to destinations, aviation and hotel sector, online travel agencies and more. The PAS 2021 Forum, held this afternoon, featured sessions that zoomed in on: “New Models of Tourism”, as the industry is called to adapt and ensure a sustainable revival of tourism; “Reconnecting Tourism”, to examine the role online solutions will play in the road to recovery; “Revitalizing the Industry”, which looked at what it will take to revitalize aviation and hospitality in particular; “What’s Next?” that evaluated consumer trends and how destinations can launch a new era of sustainable, high-value tourism. 

The PATA Leaders Debate, scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, will discuss on whether economic benefit or environmental sustainability should be the focus as stakeholders plan to restart travel. Other sessions explore the tourism development of PAS 2021 feature destination, the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. In addition, the Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF), hosted by the Macao SAR Government since 2012, is among the partners of this year’s summit, with GTEF’s vice chairman and secretary general, Pansy Ho, speaking at the event.

MGTO Director exchange with PATA Youth

The PATA Youth Symposium is another relevant part of the programme running alongside the summit each year, happening as a virtual format as well this time. As part of the symposium, a mentorship session to allow students and young tourism professionals the opportunity to engage with today’s industry leaders, was held early afternoon, featuring MGTO Director, PATA Chair Wong Soon-Hwa, PATA CEO, Mario Hardy, and others, among the mentors. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes shared about the current tourism situation in Macao and the works underway to revive the industry, answering questions and giving advice on how to direct marketing efforts and design tourism products to suit the new demands, along with the relevance of e-commerce platforms to engage travelers amid the pandemic, among other topics.

MGTO Director will also join via video conference the PATA Board Meeting and the PATA Annual General Meeting, in the capacity of member of the Executive Board of the association.

For decades, PATA has been a significant platform for Macao to connect with the global travel trade and raise its destination profile in the world. Amid the pandemic, MGTO has been participating in events organized online by PATA and other international tourism organizations to engage with partners from around the world, promote Macao, and work for a safe and sustainable return of travel.