The 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) will take place in Macao, China, from October 15 to 17, 2026. The event will gather political and business leaders, academic experts, and international organisations from five continents under the theme “Crisis • Resilience • Evolution – Building a Tourism Economy for a Shared Future.”
Core Thematic Pillars and Topics
The Forum’s agenda is built around five key pillars: Resilient Governance, Technology and Innovation, The New Traveller, Culture and Identity, and Sustainable Growth. Discussions will cover global cultural tourism capital deployment, enhanced China-Europe and Asia-Pacific connectivity, mountain-dwelling tourism, and facilitating investment. Emerging models combining tourism with artificial intelligence,
educational tourism, sports intellectual property, cultural heritage revitalisation, and experiential retail will also be examined.
International Partnerships and Regional Cooperation
Spain will serve as the Partner Country, sharing its experience in destination governance and sustainable transformation. Hainan Province is designated as the Featured Province, showcasing China’s Free Trade Port special customs and expanded visa-free policies. Collaboration efforts will include creating multi-destination itineraries and reciprocal visitor flows between Hainan and Macao, as well as international meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) synergies. Activities will extend into the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, supporting wellness tourism and heritage culinary tours.
Forum History and China’s Strategic Role
Established in 2012, GTEF has organized
11 editions, drawing over 15,500 participants from 88 countries and regions, with more than 780 prominent speakers. China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism incorporates GTEF as a national strategic platform in its 15th Five-Year Plan, expanding the Forum’s global influence. This elevation marks GTEF’s transition from a Macao-centric exchange platform to a critical instrument of China’s high-quality cultural tourism opening-up and a contributor to international tourism standards and trends.
Global Tourism Context and UN Designation
According to UN Tourism data, international tourist arrivals reached a record 1.52 billion in 2025. Reflecting the sector’s importance in global development, the United Nations has designated 2027 as the International
Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism to reinforce themes central to GTEF’s agenda.
International Collaboration and Business Programs
The Forum maintains strategic partnerships with UN Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). It collaborates closely with international organisations including the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), European Travel Commission (ETC), World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), World Tourism Alliance (WTA), International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA), and Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation (SIEF). The event includes business matching, cultural tourism promotions, and thematic dinners, aiming to facilitate cooperation and investment across sectors.
“A partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance,” reads a key statement associated with
the Forum. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce support the Forum, emphasizing its role in advancing global tourism governance.
