12th Global Tourism Economy Forum Returns to Macao on October 15–17: Spain as Partner, Hainan as Featured Province
MACAO — The 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) will be held in Macao from October 15 to 17. Macao media reported on October 13 that the forum returns to its founding city this year under the theme 'Crisis · Resilience · Evolution — Building a Tourism Economy for a Shared Future', bringing together government officials, business leaders and academics to discuss new trends and challenges in the global tourism economy. Spain takes part as the forum's partner, and Hainan Province as the featured province.
The agenda covers tourism-economy resilience, culture and tourism industries, inbound tourism, 'tourism plus', mountain stays, super intelligence applications and sustainable growth, with business matching and destination promotion sessions alongside. The programme echoes the United Nations' designation of 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism. Spanish delegates will share experience in destination management, balanced regional development and sustainable transition, while Hainan will showcase its free trade port development and opening-up, promoting cooperation with Macao and international delegates across tourism, conventions and investment.
To deepen regional cooperation, the forum includes study visits to Macao and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, highlighting the two places' strengths in industrial synergy, infrastructure connectivity and the integration of tourism and convention resources. Macao's MICE and tourism trade has also prepared community tour routes to guide delegates into neighbourhood shopping districts. Industry figures put average non-gaming spending by MICE visitors at about MOP 4,600, more than double that of regular visitors, and local businesses attach weight to the forum's knock-on effects.
Founded in Macao in 2012, the forum has held eleven editions and drawn more than 15,500 participants from 88 countries and regions. The 11th edition in 2025 was held outside Macao for the first time, in Harbin, Heilongjiang; this year's edition brings it home. The forum is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and maintains long-term partnerships with UN Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council, among others. Macao's trade sees the forum's return as a boost for international source markets and for 'tourism plus MICE' integration, leading the post-Golden Week convention season.
Sources: Compiled from Macao media reporting of October 13, 2026, and the Global Tourism Economy Forum's published arrangements for this year's edition.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：澳门威尼斯人及金光会展一带。摄影：Syced，CC0，来源：Wikimedia Commons
