Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture and Chairperson of Tourism Development Committee (CDT), hosted the second CDT Plenary Meeting of 2018 (16^th Nov). Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng said that the Macao SAR Government will present 'ART MACAO', in co-operation with various government departments and the six gaming operators, that will take place between May to October next year. Maximum advantage will be taken of the gaming and entertainment industry's hotel lobbies and leading MICE facilities, in tandem with those of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, as well as university campuses, and transform them into an exhibition hall decorated by the works of modern artists. The aforementioned will also co-ordinate with multiple arts and creative activities such as the Macao International Music Festival, International Arts Festival, and International Youth Dance Festival, to elevate the aesthetic perceptions and cultural image of Macao whilst facilitating the evolution of Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure.

During the meeting, Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO), introduced the latest development of the tourism industry. Major tourism figures raised year on year. In addition, the implementation of the Macao Tourism Industry Development Master Plan was reported, stated that most of the short-term action plans had been followed up as scheduled, however, a small number of action plans had not been fulfilled due to policy adjustments.

At the meeting, the Sub Task Forces presented the progress reports. The key recommendations included: through the support of the Tourism Federation of Cities in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Bay Area, a joint working group composed of representatives from the tourism industry of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) should be established, seeking for the GBA 144-Hour visa free transit policy; to tie in with the tourism development, setting up appropriate human resources policies for catering and driver industry; promoting festivals and developing events via the joint coordination between the industry and the government; formulating policies to attract international travelers, establishing more marketing channels and strengthening cooperation with airlines in neighboring regions.

The CDT members were concerned about how to make better use of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) to promote the sustainable development of the tourism economy. Many members believed that the shuttle bus line between Macao and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) must be put into operation as soon as possible.  It is necessary to further relax the baggage restrictions of the current HZMB bus service and strived for more tour buses to pick up visitors directly from HKIA to Macao. Furthermore, to stimulate the community economic development, some members proposed to set up walking streets in different districts on designated holidays.

Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng said that the SAR government was concerned about the community economic development.  Therefore, to arouse the community economy, the Pátio da Eterna Felicidade will become a cultural expo area, the Xian Xinghai Memorial Hall will become the base of patriotic education, and the Our Lady of Sorrows Church will become the base of youth art education and training. In the future, more areas will be explored to develop walking streets to divert tourists into different communities for sightseeing.

Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng thanked the Sub Task Forces for giving constructive suggestions. He also addressed that CDT members effectively reflected the problems of Macao tourism and brainstormed countermeasures that are of high referential value.

Members who spoke at the meeting included Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Lui Yiu Tung Francis, Wong Ying Wai, Kong Mei Fan, Chan Melinda Mei Yi, Tong Kai Chong, Wong Fai, Leng Sai Vai, Cheong Chi Man, Lo Wang Chun, He Haiming, Fong Hio Kin, Ma Kin Cheong, Lam Chong In and Zhu Mingxia.