Tourism is playing a pivotal role in the global economy. It is estimated that tourism has contributed a staggering US$7.6 trillion in 2016, equal to 10.2% of the world’s GDP, and is now supporting 292 million people in employment worldwide, that is 1 in 10 jobs on the planet*. With the continued shift of the global economy to Asia, the stable growth of Asia, notably that of China, will be the impetus for universal economic development. To meet the world’s needs of analytical insight and research regarding the trends and situations in Asian tourism, the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre was established in Macao.

The decision of the Centre to be headquartered in Macao is only logical, given it is at the forefront of Asia’s burgeoning tourism economy. Its unique geographic location advantageously allows the Centre to closely follow Asia’s latest development in tourism. As an ideal hub of communication, Macao can effectively disseminate the latest updates in Asian tourism to the world, and conversely present the most recent trends in global tourism to Asia.  In its own right, Macao has been elevated in international competitiveness thanks to its flourishing tourism industry, cementing Macao’s position as an “international travel and leisure city”.

Strategically based in Macao, the Centre is an independent, non-profit international research organization with a special purview on tourism and travel development in Asia. Attuned to what is happening in the region through research and exchange platforms, the Centre shares ideas with government bodies and travel and tourism-related stakeholders on how Asia’s development will positively impact the world. The Centre’s progressive and unique approach to aggregating and analyzing research from global authoritative bodies seeks to deliver solutions and advance ideas that will lead to the sustainable development of travel and tourism in the region and around the world.