The 13th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Ministerial Meeting took place on Saturday (June 27) at the Complex of Commerce and Trade Co-operation Platform for China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, bringing together representatives from APEC member economies to discuss the future of tourism cooperation across the region.
Under the theme “Digital and Smart Innovation, Collaborative Empowerment: Leveraging Tourism for an Asia-Pacific Community,” participants discussed strategies to drive the sector’s development through digitalization, technological innovation, and stronger regional cooperation.
During the meeting, representatives highlighted tourism as one of the main engines of economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing that the industry rests on solid foundations, offers significant potential, and enjoys promising development prospects. They also noted that the expansion of visa-free policies has facilitated tourist travel and contributed to the continued increase in visitor flows among the region’s economies.
Participants further agreed that the ministerial meeting, held as part of the China Year in APEC program, represents an opportunity to deepen tourism cooperation and promote high-quality development through digital transformation, innovation, and the sharing of best practices among member economies.
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The agenda also included discussions on preparations for the APEC China 2026 Conference, an update on the work carried out by the APEC Secretariat, and the outcomes of the organization’s 67th Tourism Working Group Meeting.
Throughout the meeting, delegations presented their national strategies and discussed topics including the role of digital technologies in advancing tourism and the regional economy, priorities for the sector’s digital transformation, promoting greater tourist mobility through multilateral cooperation, and expanding the benefits of technological innovation to a broader range of businesses and citizens.
During the session dedicated to technical visits, Secretary for Economy and Finance Ng Wai Han said that hosting the ministerial meeting in Macau reflects international recognition of the city’s ability to organize major conventions and exhibitions.
She also said the event represents an important step in strengthening Macau’s position as a World Center of Tourism and Leisure, expressing, on behalf of the Macau government, gratitude to the Central Government for its support and confidence.
On the sidelines of the meeting, representatives from APEC member economies also took part in a series of cultural and tourism visits and activities organized throughout Macau.
