12th Global Tourism Economy Forum · Macao 2026 grandly opens

MACAU, October 17 - 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum · Macao 2026 grandly opens

The 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum · Macao 2026 (GTEF or the “Forum”) was grandly unveiled on the morning of 16 October at the MGM Theater in Macao. Under the theme of “Crisis · Resilience · Evolution — Building a Tourism Economy for a Shared Future”, the Forum brought together around 1,300 government officials, international organization representatives, business leaders, experts, scholars and media representatives from over 20 countries and regions for an insightful dialogue on the challenges and opportunities for the development of the global tourism economy.

Prominent figures explore future of tourism

The guests attending the opening ceremony of the Forum included Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Sam Hou Fai; Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Forum Chairman of GTEF, Ho Hau Wah; Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Shaikha Al Nuwais; Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Zheng Xincong; Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Cheng Lei; President of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR, Cheong Weng Chon; President and Chief Executive Officer of World Travel & Tourism Council and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, Gloria Guevara; Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Luo Laijun; Executive Vice Governor of Hainan Provincial People’s Government (Featured Province), Bateer; Representative of the Minister of Industry and Tourism of Spain (Partner Country), Director General of Turespaña and President of the European Travel Commission, Miguel Sanz, as well as culture and tourism ministers, industry leaders, academics and journalists from various countries.

Deepen cooperation and exchange between Hainan and Macao

Prior to the Forum’s opening, Secretary for Economy and Finance, Ng Wai Han, met with the representative of Featured Province and Executive Vice Governor of Hainan Provincial People’s Government, Bateer. They discussed possibilities to strengthen cooperation between Guangdong, Macao and Hainan in tourism, culture, investment matching and other fields. Secretary Ng indicated that by leveraging its unique strengths in conventions and exhibitions, cultural tourism as well as cooperation with the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, the Macao SAR hopes to unfold pragmatic cooperation in “tourism +” with Hainan Province, facilitating business matching and project implementation between the two destinations. Bateer anticipated that Hainan and Macao can deepen cooperation and exchange, explore wider possibilities for institutional alignment and industry cooperation, foster sharing of tourism resources and market collaboration, thus injecting a new impetus to the regional tourism economy.

Zero in on global challenges to drive resilient development

Under the theme of “Crisis · Resilience · Evolution — Building a Tourism Economy for a Shared Future”, the Forum zeroed in on the most pressing issues for tourism amid the changing global economic landscape. Profound discussions were made on various topics including resilience of the tourism economy, cultural tourism development, inbound travel, integration across “tourism +”, mountain residential tourism, artificial intelligence and sustainable growth, among other aspects. In response to the United Nations’ designation of 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism, participants mapped out foresight and solutions for shaping the global tourism economy to move forward.

In his welcome remarks, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR, Sam Hou Fai, stated that the Forum, since its establishment in Macao in 2012, had become an important platform for high-level dialogue and multilateral cooperation in global tourism. Macao will continue to leverage its unique advantage of being backed by the motherland, while being connected to the world. By advancing the strategy of “Go North, Down South, Move West, Navigate East”, Macao aims fully to develop into a world centre of tourism and leisure, as well as a multiple-culture exchange and cooperation base with an emphasis on Chinese culture. He urged the Forum to join forces with all sectors, to extend the vitality of the tourism economy to other areas and to promote innovation as well as the sustainability of the global tourism industry.

Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Forum Chairman of GTEF, Ho Hau Wah, expressed in his welcome remarks that this year marks a major milestone in the development of the Forum. Last December, the 11th Forum ventured beyond Macao for the first time, hosting a successful event in Harbin, Heilongjiang, and achieving a historic breakthrough as the Forum expanded nationwide. Building on this momentum, this year's Forum centers on the timely theme of “Crisis · Resilience · Evolution — Building a Tourism Economy for a Shared Future”. As an international platform deeply rooted in Macao, the Forum actively aligns with the Special Administrative Region’s overarching development, continually injecting new dynamic momentum into Macao’s economic diversification.

Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Shaikha Al Nuwais, indicated in her opening remarks that so far this year, 690 million people have travelled internationally – 3 million more than during the same period last year. With the current challenges faced by the world, this number is very promising and reflects that the tourism sector has tremendous potential. But success is not only about how many people travel. It's about what their journeys create for destinations and for communities. As tourism evolves and travellers’ expectations rise, we must equip the workforce with the skills, professionalism, and service mindset to deliver the quality travellers demand today. Macao has an important story to tell, moving from volume to value, connecting culture, gastronomy, health and innovation as a world centre of tourism and leisure.

President and Chief Executive Officer of World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, Gloria Guevara, expressed in her opening remarks that a lot of research conducted by WTTC shows that China is driving global tourism growth. One key policy is the visa exemption policy, which makes it easier for more travellers to visit China. Getting to China is easier through improved connectivity, with flights and transportation connecting China to the world. Despite the uncertainties for the future of the world, she believes that through public and private collaboration and working together, the world can unlock future growth and build a better future.

Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Luo Laijun, stated in his congratulatory remarks that in retrospect of the development in recent years, the global tourism market has experienced challenging impacts, from public health emergencies and extreme weather, to global economic volatility and shifting consumer trends, all of which have accelerated the industry’s structural transformation. By focusing on emerging consumer trends worldwide and driving breakthroughs through integration of culture and tourism, green and low-carbon transition as well as smart travel among other areas, crises can be turned into catalysts for industry transformation.

Representative of the Minister of Industry and Tourism of Spain, Director General of Turespaña and President of the European Travel Commission, Miguel Sanz, delivered a speech on behalf of Spain as the Partner Country, highlighting that Spain and China are among the world’s leading tourism powers. Both countries face common challenges, including how to create greater value through tourism, harness technology while preserving the human dimension of travel, as well as ensure that tourism contributes to prosperity and wellbeing. These challenges require dialogue and cooperation, which is why this Global Tourism Economy Forum is so valuable. Spain stands ready to work with the partners, in Macao, in the rest of China and beyond, to build a tourism sector that is more sustainable, more innovative, more connected and more human.

Representative of Hainan Province as the Featured Province, and Executive Vice Governor of Hainan Provincial People’s Government, Bateer, remarked in his speech that as the world centre of tourism and leisure, Macao stands as a glowing showcase of centuries-old Sino-Western cultural fusion. As China's largest special economic zone and free trade port, Hainan shares the South China Sea with Macao, bound by geographic proximity, cultural affinity and deep bonds of kinship that create vast potential for cultural tourism collaboration. As the Forum opens, global partners are warmly invited to Hainan for leisure and investment, to embrace the new opportunities in the Hainan Free Trade Port and jointly shape a more open, inclusive, and dynamic global tourism economy.

Keynote — Explore China’s model of inclusive growth

Former Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of China and Former Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia, Long Yongtu, delivered a keynote speech on “China’s Model of Inclusive Growth”. He remarked that the deep integration of tourism with other sectors expands the foundation of tourism development while strengthening industry resilience. Inclusive tourism directly benefits communities, earning the sector broad and societal support. At the same time, advancing environmentally friendly tourism enhances the quality of tourism in a destination and country, elevating the global reputation of its tourism industry. Through collaborative effort, tourism can become an open, inclusive and sustainable force that meaningfully contributes to global economic growth, social stability and peoples’ well-being.

Dialogue between tourism ministers and industry leaders

During the Forum, a panel session titled “The Road to 2027: Building a Resilient Tourism Economy” was co-hosted with UN Tourism, where tourism ministers and industry leaders from various countries exchanged views on the opportunities and challenges faced by global tourism, and explored collaborative pathways to enhance tourism resilience and facilitate sustainable development.

Diverse agenda fosters international exchange

In addition to keynotes and high-level dialogues, a variety of activities including themed panel sessions, culture and tourism presentations, fireside chats and business matching sessions were held during the Forum. Familiarization tours in Macao and the Guangdong–Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin are also arranged to offer participants a window onto Macao’s offerings of “tourism+” as well as the health and wellness and cultural tourism projects in the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. The tours provide participants with pragmatic opportunities for business cooperation and investment matching.

Launched in Macao in 2012, GTEF has developed into a key international exchange platform. The Macao SAR will continue to play an active role in facilitating regional and international cooperation, promoting innovative and sustainable development of the tourism economy, as well as creating more cooperation opportunities for mutual success of local industry operators and global partners.

For more information about the Forum, please visit www.gte-forum.com.

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