The 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) is scheduled in Macao, China, from 15 to 17 October 2026. The forum’s theme is “Crisis • Resilience • Evolution – Building a Tourism Economy for a Shared Future” and will concentrate on five core pillars: Resilient Governance, Technology and Innovation, The New Traveller, Culture and Identity, and Sustainable Growth.
Global Tourism Arrivals and Forum History
International tourist arrivals globally reached 1.52 billion in 2025, according to United Nations Tourism data. The UN designated 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism addressing challenges in the sector. Since its establishment in 2012, the GTEF has held 11
editions, attracting more than 15,500 participants from 88 countries and regions and over 780 internationally recognized speakers.
Spain and Hainan Province’s Roles in the Forum
Spain will participate as the Partner Country, offering experience in destination governance and sustainable tourism transformation. Hainan Province is the Featured Province, emphasizing its island-wide special customs operations under the Free Trade Port framework and expanded visa-free policies. Hainan aims to advance multi-destination tourism initiatives and reciprocal visitor flows with Macao.
Forum Topics and Emerging Tourism Models
The 12th GTEF will examine key topics, including deployment of global cultural tourism capitals, China-Europe and Asia-Pacific connectivity, mountain-dwelling tourism, and facilitation of investment. The forum will also explore ‘Tourism+’ business models
such as artificial intelligence applications, educational tourism, sports intellectual property, cultural heritage revitalization, and experiential retail.
Organizers, Strategic Partnerships, and Global Collaboration
The forum is backed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. It maintains strategic partnerships with United Nations Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council. Cooperation extends to international tourism organizations including Pacific Asia Travel Association, European Travel Commission, World Tourism Cities Federation, World Tourism Alliance, International Mountain Tourism Alliance, and Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation.
Momcozy and Postpartum Support International Launch Perinatal Mental Health Scholarship
Momcozy, in partnership with Postpartum Support International (PSI), has established a $100,000 scholarship fund to
facilitate perinatal mental health training for frontline healthcare providers in the United States. The fund will provide 50 full scholarships covering coursework and examination fees for the Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C). Part of the scholarships targets midwives and nurses within the American College of Nurse-Midwives network serving communities with limited maternal mental health resources.
Applications for the Momcozy × PSI Scholarship open on 1 October 2026 and close on 31 October 2026. Recipients will be announced on 6 November 2026.
Official Perspectives on Tourism Resilience and Mental Health Support
The 12th GTEF’s organizers emphasize the importance of resilience, cooperation, and sustainable growth in the tourism economy through technological
innovation and cultural integration. Athena, Founder and CEO of Momcozy, stated, “At Momcozy, we believe that every parent, no matter where they live, deserves access to compassionate, professional mental health support.” Wendy Davis, President and CEO of PSI, remarked, “Experiencing a perinatal mental health disorder is stressful, and many people experience fear, shame, or embarrassment. It can be difficult to find a place where you know providers will understand. We are thrilled that Momcozy is making the PMH-C certification more accessible to providers via scholarship.”
Strategic Positioning of the Forum and Related Initiatives
The Global Tourism Economy Forum serves as a critical platform linking China with the international
tourism community to promote sustainable cultural tourism development. This edition aims to strengthen ecosystem resilience, foster deeper cooperation, and drive industry innovation, positioning the tourism economy as a key element in global sustainable growth. The Momcozy × PSI initiative enhances healthcare capacity by expanding trained professionals in maternal mental health, addressing service gaps in underserved US communities.
