Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes
Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes (Chinese: 文綺華[1]) is a Macanese civil servant, currently heading the Macau government's tourism office. She is a recipient of the Medal of Merit from the Macau government, an office-holder in the Pacific Asia Travel Association, and serves on several government committees.
Career
[edit]Senna Fernandes worked for a year in banking[2] before she joined the Macau government's tourism department in 1988,[3] working initially in their marketing department, then in promotions, and later serving as deputy director.[4][5] Since 2012, she has been the director of the Macau Government Tourism Office, replacing João Manuel Costa Antunes[6][7] and heading the regulation of Macau's significant tourism industry.[4] In 2021, her tenure as director was extended to 2023.[8]
She also serves on a number of government committees in Macau, including acting as the co-coordinator of the Tourism Crisis Management Office, and as a member of the Macau government's Economic Development Committee, Cultural Advisory Committee, Creative Industries Committee, and the Urban Planning Committee.[4] She also serves on the committee that organizes the Macau Grand Prix,[5] and during her tenure as tourism director, oversaw the renovation and reopening of the Macau Grand Prix Museum in 2021.[9]
In 2016, the Macau government presented her with the Medal of Merit, for her services to tourism.[10] In 2018, she was elected the treasurer of the Pacific Asia Travel Association.[3] Senna Fernandes has also participated in the Macau government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with respect to repatriating Macanese citizens.[11]
Biography
[edit]Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes was born in Macau, and her family is of Eurasian descent. She studied business administration at the University of Macau, graduating in 1987.[4] She speaks several languages, including English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Portuguese.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ 旅遊局 (DST) (2021-06-18). 澳門與全球同慶可持續美食烹調日 製作短片傳承澳門土生菜. 中華人民共和國澳門特別行政區政府入口網站 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2022-03-18.
- ^ Senna Fernandes, Maria Helena de (May 2019). "We Macanese Like Good Food and Good Wine... We're Relaxed". Smart Travel Asia (Interview). Interviewed by Smart Travel Asia. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
- ^ a b "Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes". Pacific Asia Travel Association. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
- ^ a b c d Meneses, João Paulo (2020-08-30). "Special Report – "The Future is Feminist" * (11 – 15)". Macau News Agency. MacauBusiness.com. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
- ^ a b c "Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of MGTO". Macao News. 2016-06-27. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
- ^ Lui, Prudence (2012-11-01). "Senna Fernandes to Succeed Antunes as Macau Tourism Chief". TTGmice. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
- ^ "Costa Antunes cessa funções de director dos Serviços de Turismo para passar a ser coordenador a tempo inteiro da Comissão do Grande Prémio". Portal do Governo da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau da República Popular da China (in Portuguese). 2012-10-14. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
- ^ Moura, Nelson (2021-11-04). "Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes Service Term as Tourism Office Director Extended by Two Years". Macau News Agency. MacauBusiness.com. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
- ^ Marques, Renato (2021-11-19). "Off-track | GP Museum is Back After Four Years of Renovation". Macau Daily Times. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
- ^ "Macao SAR Bestows Medal of Merit for Tourism". Macao Travel Talk. Macao Government Tourism Office. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
- ^ Allego, Rafelle (2020-03-24). "Faces Leading the Fight". Macao Magazine. Retrieved 2022-02-04.