Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture and Chairperson of Tourism Development Committee (CDT), hosted the first CDT Plenary Meeting of 2018 (3^rd May). Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng gave a welcome speech to the new members of the 4^th Tourism Development Committee, stating that members come from various fields, including industry and commerce, tourism, tour guide, retail, catering, etc.  He hoped that members will provide comments and recommendations for the development of sustainable tourism in Macao, supporting the SAR Government to formulate excellent tourism policies in the next two years.

    During the meeting, Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), introduced the Administrative Regulation of No. 40/2011 of Macao SAR, outlined the purpose and direction of CDT.  She also introduced the four newly established task forces, which were the ‘Task Force on Human Resources and Quality Management’, the ‘Task Force on Tourism Policy, Planning and Regional Cooperation’, the ‘Task Force on Tourism Branding’ and Marketing’, and the ‘Task Force on Tourism products and Events’.  In addition, MGTO introduced the latest tourism development status, the Macao Tourism Industry Development Master Plan and the four upcoming major tasks in 2018.  The four major tasks included 1) Actively participating the construction of the “One Belt and One Road” Initiative in terms of tourism, 2) Making use of Macao’s unique advantages to construct the “Greater Bay Area” as a tourist destination, 3) Implementing the concept of holistic tourism, optimizing and enhancing the tourism environment, and 4) Promoting cultural, sports, gourmet products and creating maritime tourism brands. Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes suggested that members should cooperate with national policies and keenly participate in the above major tasks to exert the role in promoting tourism economy and supporting the development of related industries.

    On the other hand, MGTO introduced the work plan of “Macao, UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy (2018-2021)” and reported to members on the progress and the future work plan. MGTO encouraged members to organize various activities, using food as the core, along with arts and crafts, folk art, design, film, literature, media art and music as the carriers, together with creative methods to jointly promote “Macao, Creative City of Gastronomy”.

    In discussing the ways to enhance image of “Macao, Creative City of Gastronomy”, some members suggested that in addition to provide policies to the youths with more opportunities to participate in culinary courses to improve their cooking quality, mastering the food decoration skill, providing excellent customer services and creating innovative promotional strategies were vital to achieve the goal as well. Some members also proposed to treat foreign guests with ‘Macanese Cuisine’ at official banquets, which believed to help highlight the distinctive image of local specialities.

    Moreover, a number of members concerned about the issue of human resources, especially the shortage of minority-language tour guide.  They hoped the relevant authorities would expedite the personnel training to ease the current situation.  Some members also considered the lack of human resources might affect service quality.  It was suggested that the SAR Government should formulate effective policies to ensure human resource supply. Furthermore, a number of members noted that Macao has failed to meet the actual needs of the development of e-payment. Members proposed the SAR Government to accelerate the work on smart tourism to maintain its competitiveness. The other discussion topics included the development of the ‘Greater Bay Area’, regional tourism cooperation, promotion of conventions and exhibitions, optimization of transportation networks, extension of visitors' length of stay and expansion of visitor sources through the aviation industry and the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge.

    Committee members who expressed opinions in the meeting included Chan Melinda Mei Yi, He Haiming, Wong Fai, Fong Hio Kin, Cheong Chi Man, Wong Suk Yan, Lam Chong In, Wong Chi Hong, Sio Un I, Leong On Kei, Tong Kai Chung, Kong Mei Fan, Leng Sai Vai , Chen Chih Ling Linda, Lo Wang Chun , Tsui Wai Man, Leong Veng Hang.