12th Global Tourism Economy Forum · Macao 2026 culminates in success
MACAU, October 21 - The “12th Global Tourism Economy Forum · Macao 2026” (GTEF or the “Forum”) was successfully held on 16 October. Under the theme of “Crisis · Resilience · Evolution — Building a Tourism Economy for a Shared Future” this year, the Forum gathered around 1,300 government officials, representatives of international organizations, business leaders, experts, scholars and journalists from over 20 countries and regions. Featuring a series of themed forum sessions, high-level dialogues, panel discussions and familiarization visits, the Forum fully demonstrated Macao’s international influence as a MICE destination and its unique advantages as an international exchange platform, yielding fruitful results and reinforcing Macao’s status as a world centre of tourism and leisure.
The closing ceremony was held on the evening of 16 October. The main guests who attended the occasion included 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; 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; Former Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of China and Former Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia, Long Yongtu; Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF, Pansy Ho; and Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and Vice Chairman of GTEF, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, among other personages.
Jointly explore new development opportunities
In her closing remarks, MGTO Director and Vice Chairman of GTEF, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, highlighted that bringing together decision-makers, drivers of development and industry leaders in the global tourism economy over the years, the Forum has facilitated sharing of experience and pragmatic cooperation across borders and sectors, developing into an international platform for building consensus and shaping industry trends. Macao not just leverages its unique advantages brought by “the support of the Motherland and its connectivity to the world”, but also shares its own experiences in attaining urban progress, joining hands with partners from worldwide to navigate new paths towards a more innovative and sustainable horizon for the tourism economy.
In her concluding remarks, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF, Pansy Ho, indicated that peace and people-to-people exchanges form the foundation of sustainable tourism development, while openness and cooperation are important drivers of high-quality revival. She highlighted that green development should not be seen as a burden, but as a development opportunity that can benefit local communities, attract young travelers and create sustainable value. Looking ahead, she welcomed Hainan’s active efforts to host the next edition of the Forum and stated that rather than merely repairing existing damage, gathering in Hainan should be an opportunity to return to the original aspiration and embrace the concept of “green and blue tourism”. She expressed the hope that Hainan can exemplify the concept of “trace-free tourism”, enhancing the value of nature while preserving its authentic beauty, with forward-looking protection taking the place of remedial action after damage has occurred.
In his remarks at the closing ceremony, representative of Hainan Province as the Featured Province, and Executive Vice Governor of Hainan Provincial People’s Government, Bateer, stated that Hainan looks forward to leveraging Macao’s role as a bridge connecting with the world to deepen cooperation with global partners in mutual visitations, concerted industry development and cultural tourism innovation among other areas. He added that Hainan sincerely hopes to work together with the Forum’s organizing units, the Macao SAR Government and friends from all sectors to implement the fruitful outcomes of the Forum, facilitate the hosting of GTEF in Hainan in 2027, and promote collaborative development between Hainan as an International Tourism and Consumption Center and Macao as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, driving economic growth and benefiting people around the world.
Forum gathers around 1,300 participants from over 20 countries and regions
and highlights Macao’s strengths as an international platform
This edition of the Forum featured 28 main forum sessions, high-level dialogues and panel sessions, among other highlights. A total of 75 officiating guests, renowned speakers and moderators from near and afar were invited to share their experiences and insights into the resilience of the tourism economy, inbound tourism, integration of culture and tourism among other aspects, navigating the paths and opportunities for high-quality and sustainable tourism development from multiple angles. About 50 bilateral meetings were convened during the Forum, covering tourism, civil aviation, investment promotion, international cooperation and other fields. Business matching sessions were also conducted, engaging over 600 participants on site and effectively forging over 1,000 business-to-business matchings online and offline, which included over 90 successful matchings in Spain Business Matching sessions. The activities facilitated exchange and cooperation among industry delegates from around the world, promoted industry connections and expanded the breadth of opportunities for cooperation. Special interviews, project presentations and other activities were conducted as well to foster international exchange and broaden the scope of cooperation across sectors.
Hainan to host the 13th Forum next year
It was announced at the Forum that Hainan Province will take over the role as the host province of the 13th Global Tourism Economy Forum in 2027. Riding on the occasion, MGTO and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province signed a memorandum of understanding to further deepen cooperation between Hainan and Macao in tourism and related areas. Closely aligning their efforts with the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port, the two sides will strengthen resource sharing and industry connections, striving for high-quality and collaborative tourism development in Macao and Hainan.
Familiarization tours showcase Macao’s diverse “tourism +”
An array of familiarization tours was arranged on 17 October to offer Forum participants an in-depth experience of Macao’s diverse “tourism +” offerings. The itineraries included visits to the World Heritage site – The Historic Centre of Macao; the themed exhibition “Encounter Ancient China through Museum Cultural Creative Products” in Macao, jointly presented by 22 cultural institutions from across the Country; the Islands Healthcare Complex – Macao Medical Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Macao Union Medical Center); the Hengqin Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Experience Hall at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park of Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao; and the Zhuhai Chimelong International Ocean Resort, among others. The visits enabled participants to learn more about the latest developments of Macao and Hengqin in “tourism + culture”, “tourism + health and wellness” and other realms, further promoting industry connections and regional collaboration.
Build international exchange platform for sustainable tourism development
Launched in Macao in 2012, the Global Tourism Economy Forum has developed into a major international exchange platform of Macao, giving full play to the Macao SAR’s advantages gifted by the policy of “One Country, Two Systems” and its position in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, to promote the innovative and sustainable development of the tourism economy. The SAR Government will continue to embrace the approach for open cooperation, strengthen connections with international partners, advance high-quality tourism development and contribute to the revival and sustainable development of the regional economy in the long run.
For more information about the Forum, please visit the website: https://www.gte-forum.com/.
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