By Ingrid Kwok
MACAU The recent Tourism Investment Forum 2003 at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre explored the role of government and business in the tourism sector.
On the panel discussing "China Tourism Investment Policies and Experience", representatives from various organisations in the tourism industry discussed and shared their related experiences.
Chairman of North West Development and National People's Congress deputy Mr Peter Wong said the tourism industry is still new to China.
Mr Wong said that the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and China's entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO) represented progress for China's tourism industry.
The CEPA allows exhibition and convention organisers from Hong Kong to set up companies on the mainland.
Group director of sales and marketing, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Ms Carmen Lam expressed her views on services and city identity.
"Training in the service industry is the biggest challenge. It needs co-ordination among the government, education sector and private sector," Ms Lam said.
The Shangri-La group has set up a hotel training institute in Beijing to develop local talent.
Travel forum talks on industry trends
MACAU The recent Tourism Investment Forum 2003 at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre explored the role of government and business in the tourism sector.