The 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum took place in Macao in October 2026, convening government officials, international organization representatives, business leaders, and experts for three days. The event focused on the theme “Crisis • Resilience • Evolution – Building a Tourism Economy for a Shared Future”. Spain served as the forum’s partner country while Hainan province was the featured region, highlighting efforts toward sustainable tourism growth.
Macao’s Tourism Performance and Industry Transformation
Macao’s tourism sector recorded over 40 million visitor arrivals in 2025. Sam Hou-fai, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, stated that the forum has become a key platform for high-level dialogue and
cooperation since 2012. He emphasized that Macao’s tourism growth reflects not only increased visitor numbers but also improvements in quality and diversification. “This is not just growth in numbers, but an improvement in quality,” Hou-fai said, noting the integration of tourism with other industries is driving new momentum for the city’s economic development.
Global Tourism Recovery and International Arrivals
Global cross-border tourist trips reached a record 690 million in 2026 to date, which is three million more than the same period in 2025. UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais described this growth as promising given ongoing geopolitical tensions including those in the Middle East. She stressed
the sector’s substantial potential despite uncertainties. The 4% growth in global travel and tourism GDP in 2025 outpaced the overall economic growth of 2.8%, with the sector accounting for approximately 10% of global GDP.
Inclusive Tourism Growth in China
Long Yongtu, former vice-minister of China’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, highlighted that rural residents made up 20% of China’s tourists in 2025. He described this as a significant milestone that underscores the inclusive nature of China’s tourism sector. Long pointed out that expanding participation from rural areas supports community benefits and transforms travel patterns within China, providing a model for inclusive tourism growth
amid global uncertainties.
Economic Impact and Collaborative Efforts
Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council, emphasized the importance of collaboration and policy coordination to sustain tourism’s positive trajectory. She remarked on the sector’s resilience, with Asia-Pacific leading regional tourism growth at 8% in 2025. “Working together, implementing the best policies to move forward,” Guevara said, stressing the need for joint action to support ongoing economic benefits.
Increased Connectivity Between China and Spain
The air connectivity between China and Spain expanded by more than 40% in 2026, with 87 weekly flights operating between the two countries. Miguel Sanz, director-general of Spain’s national tourism agency Turespana, reported Spain
received 800,000 Chinese visitors in 2025, who generated $2.5 billion in tourism spending. To accommodate growing travel demand, Spain has accelerated visa processing in China, with applications now completed in under a week. Sanz noted these measures contributed to rising travel flows in both directions, enhancing bilateral tourism relations.
Hainan’s Role and Industry Engagement
Bateer, executive vice-governor of Hainan, underscored Hainan’s development potential as the forum’s featured province. He invited global tourism stakeholders to invest and collaborate within the Hainan Free Trade Port. Bateer referenced Macao’s historical integration of Chinese and Western cultures as an example for Hainan’s tourism development, aiming to foster an open
and inclusive tourism economy internationally.
