The 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) is scheduled to take place in Macao, China, from October 15 to 17, 2026. Under the theme “Crisis • Resilience • Evolution – Building a Tourism Economy for a Shared Future,” the event will assemble political and business leaders, academic experts, and international organisation representatives from five continents to discuss challenges and progress in the tourism economy.
According to United Nations Tourism, international tourist arrivals reached a record 1.52 billion in 2025. The United Nations has designated 2027 as the “International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism,” underscoring global priorities for sustainable tourism
growth and resilience amid geopolitical and economic challenges.
GTEF’s Role in Global Tourism Strategy
Founded in 2012, GTEF has convened 11 editions with over 15,500 participants from 88 countries and regions. China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has designated the Forum a key national strategic platform under its 15th Five-Year Plan for Cultural and Tourism Development, confirming GTEF’s importance in connecting China with the global tourism community for sustainable development.
The Forum’s 12th edition will focus on five core pillars: Resilient Governance, Technology and Innovation, The New Traveller, Culture and Identity, and Sustainable Growth. These pillars integrate with Macao’s development strategies to address evolving tourism economy
needs worldwide.
Focus Areas and Participants
Key discussion topics at the Forum will include global cultural tourism capital deployment, enhancing connectivity between China-Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, mountain tourism, and facilitating investment. Emerging “Tourism+” business models such as AI empowerment, educational tourism, sports intellectual property, cultural heritage revitalisation, and experiential retail will also be explored.
Spain will participate as the Partner Country, showcasing its expertise in destination governance, regional development, and sustainable transformation. Hainan Province will be the Featured Province, highlighting its Free Trade Port customs operations and visa-free policies, aiming to strengthen policy coordination and cooperation for tourism between Hainan and Macao.
The
Forum programme includes business matching, cultural tourism promotions, themed dinners, Macao world heritage culinary tours, and wellness tourism site visits in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, fostering greater regional supply chain cooperation and investment.
International Partnerships and Strategic Alliances
The Forum is backed by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. It maintains long-term strategic partnerships with UN Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Additional collaborations include the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the European Travel Commission (ETC), the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), the World Tourism Alliance (WTA), the International Mountain Tourism
Alliance (IMTA), and the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation (SIEF).
These partnerships support global tourism governance synergy and promote sustainable cultural tourism development worldwide.
Midea Group and Electrolux Group Expand Partnership in North America
Midea Group and Electrolux Group officially launched all three joint ventures in North America on October 2, 2026, advancing their over 20-year collaboration. The partnership unifies manufacturing, product development, supply chain, and commercial strategies to enhance product competitiveness and accelerate innovation in the region.
Louis Zhao, Vice President of Midea Group and President of its Smart Home Business Group, stated the joint ventures mark “a concrete step toward localizing manufacturing and improving operational efficiency” in North America. He
added, “A partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance.” Electrolux Group President and CEO Yannick Fierling noted the partnership enables accelerated profitable growth and investment in sustainable, consumer-centric innovations.
Both companies plan to roughly double North American production capacity for food preservation and fabric care products, while expanding into new categories. Midea Group serves over 500 million users annually, with more than 400 subsidiaries, 41 R&D centers, and 68 major production bases globally. The company invested over USD 10.4 billion in research and development over the past five years.
Electrolux Group operates in about 120 markets, employing approximately
39,000 people worldwide. In 2025, it recorded sales of 131 billion Swedish kronor. Its brands include Electrolux, AEG, and Frigidaire.
Global Tourism Economy: Challenges and Opportunities
The 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum aims to address the persistent tests facing the tourism sector, including geopolitical tensions, climate pressures, and economic uncertainties. By fostering global cooperation and promoting innovative “Tourism+” business models, the Forum seeks to enhance resilience and sustainable growth.
GTEF’s strategic role, recognised in China’s national cultural and tourism plans, positions it as a key platform for shaping international tourism governance and advancing a shared future for the global tourism economy, supported by industry leaders and
multinational partnerships.
