The 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum · Macao 2026 has officially drawn to a close, marking the successful culmination of a high-level gathering that brought together approximately 1,300 government officials, international organization representatives, business leaders, industry experts, scholars, and media personnel from some 30 countries and regions.
The multi-day event served as a major platform for dialogue, strategic planning, and cross-border collaboration, addressing the critical challenges and emerging opportunities facing the international travel and tourism sector. Throughout the forum, discussions focused heavily on building a resilient tourism economy, boosting inbound travel, deepening the integration of culture and tourism, and advancing environmental sustainability. By drawing on unique insights rooted in Chinese development experiences and Macao’s institutional wisdom, participants explored pragmatic solutions to help the global industry navigate ongoing global uncertainties.
The high-profile gathering also reinforced Macao’s long-standing reputation as a premier World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, while highlighting its distinct capabilities as an international hub for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events and cross-cultural exchanges. Digital engagement for the forum was exceptionally strong, with live broadcasts of the various sessions drawing more than 8.6 million online views globally, demonstrating widespread international interest in the topics discussed.
The closing ceremony, held on the evening of October 16, featured a distinguished lineup of high-ranking officials and prominent figures. Among the principal guests in attendance were Ho Hau Wah, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Forum Chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Forum; Shaikha Al Nuwais, secretary-general of UN Tourism; Luo Laijun, vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce; and Bateer, executive vice governor of the Hainan Provincial People’s Government, representing Hainan as the Featured Province.
Other notable attendees included Miguel Sanz Castedo, representative of the Minister of Industry and Tourism of Spain—which served as the Partner Country—alongside his roles as director general of Turespaña and president of the European Travel Commission; Long Yongtu, former vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of China and former secretary-general of the Boao Forum for Asia; Pansy Ho, vice chairman and secretary-general of the Global Tourism Economy Forum; and Maria Helena De Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) of the Macao Special Administrative Region and vice chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Forum.
Reflecting on the event during her closing remarks, MGTO Director Maria Helena De Senna Fernandes noted that over the years, the Forum has successfully united decision-makers, industry drivers, and sector leaders from across the global tourism economy. She emphasized that the event has consistently fostered experience-sharing and pragmatic cooperation across borders and industries, evolving into an essential international platform for building consensus and shaping future trends.
Furthermore, Senna Fernandes pointed out that Macao not only leverages the unique structural advantages afforded by the backing of the central government and its extensive global connectivity, but also actively shares its own successful trajectory in urban modernization. By working hand in hand with international partners, Macao continues to help chart innovative and sustainable pathways forward for the worldwide tourism economy.
Building on the theme of environmental responsibility, Pansy Ho delivered an inspiring address during the closing sessions, stressing that sustainability must be viewed as an economic driver rather than a regulatory burden.
"One message today is clear: going green is not a burden, but a scalable opportunity that resonates with young travellers and keeps value within local communities," Ho stated.
Looking forward to future editions, Ho welcomed Hainan Province’s expressed interest in hosting the next installment of the Forum. Elaborating on this prospective partnership, she remarked that gathering in Hainan invites the industry to return to its original aspiration, or chuxin, by fully embracing Green and Blue Tourism. She challenged attendees to consider whether the industry can establish a model for trace-free, preservation-first tourism that enhances natural environments without destroying their core essence, avoiding a cycle of disrupting nature only to repair it later.
Speaking on behalf of Hainan Province, Executive Vice Governor Bateer expressed enthusiasm for the province’s upcoming role and its alignment with Macao. He stated that Hainan looks forward to utilizing Macao’s established position as a global bridge to deepen international cooperation in areas such as reciprocal tourism exchanges, synchronized industry development, and cultural tourism innovation. Hainan, he added, sincerely hopes to collaborate closely with the Forum’s organizing units, the Macao SAR Government, and stakeholders from all sectors to implement the valuable outcomes generated during the event. This collaboration aims to facilitate the successful hosting of the GTEF in Hainan in 2027 while promoting synergistic growth between Hainan as an International Tourism and Consumption Center and Macao as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, ultimately driving broad economic vitality and mutual benefit.
The 12th edition of the Forum was comprehensive in scope, featuring 28 main forum sessions, high-level ministerial dialogues, and specialized panel discussions. A total of 75 high-ranking officiating guests, renowned industry speakers, and moderators shared their expertise on tourism resilience, inbound markets, and the blending of culture with travel, offering multifaceted perspectives on achieving high-quality, sustainable industry growth.
Beyond the formal panels, the event facilitated robust commercial and diplomatic engagement. Approximately 50 bilateral meetings took place during the forum, addressing key sectors such as tourism, civil aviation, investment promotion, and broader international cooperation. Dedicated business-matching sessions drew over 600 on-site participants and successfully facilitated more than 1,000 business-to-business connections through both online and offline channels. This included over 90 successful matching engagements during dedicated Spain Business Matching sessions, which expanded international networks and opened new avenues for cross-border cooperation. Special interviews and project presentations were similarly conducted to broaden multi-sectoral engagement.
As part of its ongoing commitment to regional integration, the Macao Government Tourism Office and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province signed a formal memorandum of understanding during the event. By closely aligning their strategic objectives with the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port, both regions have committed to enhancing resource sharing, strengthening industry connections, and advancing collaborative, high-quality tourism development.
Delegates and media representatives also participated in a series of curated cultural and inspection tours designed to showcase Macao’s diversified "Tourism+" offerings. The itineraries included visits to the historic World Heritage site known as "The Historic Centre of Macao" and the collaborative themed exhibition titled "Encounter Ancient China through Museum Cultural Creative Products," which featured contributions from 22 cultural institutions nationwide.
Additional site visits highlighted regional synergy and sectoral diversification, taking participants to the Islands Healthcare Complex—Macao Medical Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, the Hengqin Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Experience Hall located within the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park of Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao, and the Zhuhai Chimelong International Ocean Resort. These excursions provided firsthand insights into how Macao and adjacent Hengqin are successfully advancing initiatives centered around "Tourism + Culture" and "Tourism + Big Health."
By successfully bridging consensus-building during times of industry transformation with practical strategies for resilience, the 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum has provided a clear and actionable roadmap for the global cultural and tourism sectors. The event has effectively launched a new chapter of deep cooperation, expanding outward from the established Macao platform to forge robust Hainan-Macao synergies and broader global partnerships. Moving forward, the Forum remains dedicated to acting as a vital bridge connecting China with the rest of the world, fostering an open, innovative, and inclusive trajectory for the global tourism economy.
