Held under the theme “New Quality Productive Forces:
Powering the Global Tourism Economy”, the Forum positioned
Heilongjiang Province as a key platform for international tourism dialogue,
innovation, and industrial cooperation. The event aimed to strengthen the
integration of the province into global tourism value chains and innovation
ecosystems.
The Forum was organized by the People’s Government of Heilongjiang Province and the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, with the Macao Special Administrative Region Government as Founding Organizer, and held in collaboration with UN Tourism. It brought together more than 1,500 participants from over 30 countries and regions across four continents, including ministers, senior tourism officials, leaders of international organizations, business executives, and media representatives.
At the opening ceremony, Edmund Ho Hau-wah, Vice
Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political
Consultative Conference and Chairman of GTEF, described the move to
Heilongjiang as a strategic upgrade. “Bringing the Forum from Macao to
Heilongjiang represents a visionary strategic upgrade,” he said, adding that
the theme aligns closely with China’s national development priorities and
global tourism transformation.
Xu Qin, Secretary of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, highlighted the province’s tourism potential, stating: “Heilongjiang, with its unique geographical advantages, excellent ecological environment, profound cultural heritage and magnificent landscapes, is a desirable tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors.” He emphasized the province’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation and promoting high-quality tourism development.
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UN Tourism, noted the symbolic
importance of the Forum’s new location. “Today marks a milestone as
GTEF steps beyond Macao for the first time, and Harbin is the perfect place to
begin this new chapter,” he said, underlining tourism’s role in
shared prosperity, sustainability, and cultural exchange.
Senior representatives from governments and tourism authorities in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas also took part, alongside organizations such as the World Travel & Tourism Council, Pacific Asia Travel Association, and the European Travel Commission.
During the ceremony, UN Tourism presented Harbin with a certificate
recognizing its global leadership in ice and snow tourism. Flagship attractions
such as Harbin Ice and Snow World and the Sun Island International Snow
Sculpture Art Expo were highlighted as examples of how the city has transformed
seasonal climate advantages into a globally competitive tourism economy.
Since its establishment in 2012, GTEF has hosted ten editions in Macao,
attracting more than 14,000 participants from over 90 countries and regions.
The Heilongjiang edition reinforced the Forum’s evolving role as a bridge
between China and global tourism markets, offering travel and tourism
professionals a high-level platform for policy dialogue, industry cooperation,
and strategic exchange.
Tags: UN Tourism Macao 11th Global Tourism Economy Forum
