Macao Brings Spain, Hainan and Global Travel Leaders Together for Global Tourism Economy Forum 

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Macao will welcome tourism ministers, destination leaders, investors and travel companies from 15 to 17 October 2026 for the Global Tourism Economy Forum. Spain will be Partner Country and Hainan the Featured Province, as discussions examine resilience, technology, investment, culture and the changing direction of international travel markets worldwide.

Macao brings global tourism decision makers together

The 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum Macao 2026 will bring together governments, tourism boards, technology companies, hotel groups, airlines, investors and travel businesses at a time when the global industry is adapting to economic pressure, climate risk and changing traveller expectations.

The forum will be held in Macao from 15 to 17 October 2026. The main sessions are scheduled at MGM Cotai, while the programme also extends to MGM Macau, the Galaxy International Convention Center, Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre, City of Dreams and venues in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

Its theme, Crisis, Resilience, Evolution – Building a Tourism Economy for a Shared Future, reflects the central issues facing tourism markets. The agenda moves beyond recovery. It asks how destinations and companies can create steady growth, strengthen connectivity and share tourism benefits more widely.

Macao is the host city. Spain is the official Partner Country, while Hainan Province is the Featured Province. The event is hosted by the Secretariat for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government. It works with major international organisations including UN Tourism, the World Travel & Tourism Council, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, the European Travel Commission, the World Tourism Alliance and the International Mountain Tourism Alliance.

PATA is a cooperating organisation for the forum, rather than the organiser.

“Global Tourism Economy Forum Macao 2026 offers a valuable meeting point for destinations, investors and travel companies. With Spain and Hainan in prominent roles, the forum can encourage practical partnerships, responsible growth and new international connections. Its focus on technology, resilience and cultural exchange is especially relevant for tourism’s future.”— Anup Kumar Keshan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Travel And Tour World

Spain takes a leading destination role

Spain’s role as Partner Country gives the European destination a strong platform in Macao. Miguel Sanz Castedo, Director General of Turespaña and President of the European Travel Commission, is expected to deliver Partner Country remarks at the opening ceremony.

Spain will also host dedicated business matching at MGM Cotai and a tourism presentation during the travel trade programme. This gives Spanish tourism suppliers and destination representatives a direct route to meet Chinese and wider Asia-Pacific travel buyers.

The country’s participation is significant because Spain remains one of Europe’s most important visitor economies. It has long experience in coastal tourism, cultural travel, urban breaks, rural tourism and destination management. Its presence allows the forum to examine how mature destinations can balance visitor demand with community needs, environmental responsibility and regional economic development.

The European Travel Commission will also support a session on Europe and China, focusing on facilitation, connectivity and exchange. This is likely to be important for tourism bodies seeking stronger long-haul travel flows between China and European destinations.

Hainan showcases China’s tourism investment ambitions

Hainan Province is the Featured Province for the 2026 edition. The island province will use the forum to outline tourism investment opportunities, travel service development and the potential of the Hainan Free Trade Port.

A Hainan presentation will be delivered by Chen Chen, President of the Hainan Association of Travel Services and General Manager of Hainan Kangtai Travel. Hainan will also host an official dinner for delegates.

Hainan’s participation gives the forum a clear China-focused business angle. The province is positioning itself as a destination for beach holidays, cruises, wellness travel, duty-free shopping, meetings and international visitor growth. Its Free Trade Port policies are expected to be a key point of discussion for investors and tourism businesses interested in market access and cross-border partnerships.

The forum’s wider China programme will also include presentations from Heilongjiang Province, the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Macao’s Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.

Airlines, travel technology and hotel groups join the programme

The confirmed speaker programme includes a broad mix of travel companies and tourism investors. Tony Fernandes, Co-Founder of AirAsia and Chief Executive Officer of Capital A Group, is due to take part in a session on travel growth across Asia.

Amadeus IT Group will be represented by Decius Valmorbida, President of Travel. His keynote on artificial intelligence and the future of travel places technology at the centre of the forum’s business debate. Travel technology is increasingly important as airlines, hotels and agencies use data, automation and digital tools to improve bookings, servicing and personalised travel planning.

Trip.com Group is also represented through Leo Zhang, Vice President and General Manager of its Destination Cooperation Department. The company’s involvement underlines the importance of online travel platforms in connecting destinations with Chinese travellers and international source markets.

The hotel sector will be represented by Shanghai Jinjiang International Hotels, H World Hotels, Club Med Lifestyle Group and MGM Hospitality Asia Pacific. These companies bring experience across luxury resorts, urban hotels, package holidays and hospitality expansion.

Other confirmed business names include Alibaba Group, EXO Travel Group, Hanatour Hong Kong, MNC Group, Sands China, Siam Piwat, Certares, Marjan Hospitality, Hainan Tourism Investment Group and CITIC Europe Holdings.

This makes the event more than a policy conference. It is designed as a meeting point for commercial partnerships, destination promotion and investment discussions.

Countries and markets represented at Macao forum

The programme confirms representation from China, Macao, Spain, Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand and Australia, as well as European Union institutions.

Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector will be represented by Mahmoud Abdulhadi from the Ministry of Tourism and Ageel Alshaibani, Chief Executive of the Saudi Tourism Authority. Their participation reflects Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing focus on destination development, investment and international market access.

The Republic of Korea will be represented by Kim Dae-hyun, Vice Minister at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Malaysia will be represented by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing. Cambodia will feature through Kong Vireak of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

Thailand’s presence includes Siam Piwat, a major retail and destination development group. Indonesia will be represented by Hary Tanoesoedibjo, Executive Chairman of MNC Group. Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland will appear in the programme’s sports tourism discussion.

The forum does not yet publish a full public stand-by-stand exhibitor list. However, a trade exhibition will operate at MGM Cotai from 15 to 17 October, alongside business matching sessions and destination presentations. Only officially named programme companies and destination representatives should be described as confirmed at this stage.

Business matching moves beyond speeches

A key feature of the forum is its appointment-based business matching. These sessions allow delegates to turn broad policy discussion into practical tourism trade conversations.

The programme includes general business matching, Spain-focused meetings and travel trade presentations. Delegates will also be offered cultural tourism visits across Macao and a Hengqin site visit covering health, culture, entertainment and convention infrastructure.

This format is useful for destinations looking to attract Chinese visitors, travel sellers seeking new products and investors assessing emerging tourism projects. It also supports Macao’s role as a meeting bridge between China, Portuguese-speaking markets, Europe and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Why the forum matters for travel industry growth

The Global Tourism Economy Forum has developed into a major platform for public-private dialogue in tourism. Since its establishment in 2012, the organisers say it has attracted more than 15,500 participants from 88 countries and regions across eleven editions.

For 2026, the forum’s focus is firmly on durable growth. It will examine artificial intelligence, culture and heritage, sports tourism, experiential retail, investment, inbound travel and regional cooperation.

For tourism businesses, the value lies in access. Airlines can meet destinations. Technology providers can connect with hotel groups. Tourism boards can speak directly with travel platforms and overseas buyers. Governments can compare strategies on infrastructure, visitor management and investment.

Macao’s 2026 forum is therefore positioned as both a global discussion platform and a practical trade meeting. Spain, Hainan and a growing list of international companies give the event a strong mix of destination policy, commercial networking and travel investment opportunity.

The Global Tourism Economy Forum gives Macao a high-profile platform to connect tourism policy with commercial action. Spain, Hainan, airlines, travel technology firms, hotel groups and destination authorities will use the October gathering to build partnerships, explore investment and shape more resilient, connected and sustainable tourism growth across international markets in coming years.