The 44th meeting of the UNWTO commission for East Asia and the Pacific
The 48th meeting of the UNWTO commission for South Asia

■ The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Ministerial Roundtable on Asia-Pacific Tourism Policies, the 44th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and the 48th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for South Asia are held in Macau, China on 13-14 June.

■ The 16 tourism-related ministers participating in the event are from 15 Asia Pacific countries and regions including Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vanuatu and Macau China.

■ Over 100 tourism-related officials from 27 Asia Pacific countries and regions and representatives of 4 international organizations participate in the event.

■ The UNWTO Ministerial Roundtable Meeting is being hosted in one of Macau's world heritage - Leal Senado Building.

■ Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macau SAR, Chui Sai On officiated at the opening ceremony. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Chui Sai On and UNWTO Secretary General Francesco Frangialli delivered speeches at the opening ceremony.

■ The UNWTO's Ministerial Roundtable on Asia-Pacific Tourism Policies is moderated by respected journalist Nik Gowing, the main presenter of BBC World.

■ Topics for discussion at the Ministerial Roundtable include: the impact of low cost carriers; the best ways to capture the emerging tourist generating markets of China and India; crisis management; image building and using tourism to fight poverty, among many others. The session will be open to all delegates, as well as media representatives.

■ The roundtable also sees the launch of an important new project: Asia-Pacific Tourism Megatrends. Developed by UNWTO in cooperation with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, this annual study is a tool that will offer the best and most up-to-date information possible on the rapidly changing trends that are shaping regional tourism.

■ The meetings play a significant role in setting the course for the region's tourism future. Asia-Pacific is the acknowledged motor behind global tourism growth. An estimated 156 million international visitors chose a destination in Asia in 2005.
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■ UNWTO Secretary General Francesco Frangialli sums up the Ministerial Roundtable before the Grand Luncheon at the Military Club and presents the first Asia-Pacific Tourism Ambassador's Award to Jackie Chan.
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■ Participating Ministers meet with media representatives at a press conference in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Macau - Tung Yee Heen, Lotus Room.

■ UNWTO's 7 Asia-Pacific Market Studies are presented to delegates and the media at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Macau - Chinnery Room.