In the Macao Special Administrative Region, the 13th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Ministers' Meeting opened
On Saturday in the Macao Special Administrative Region, the 13th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Ministers' Meeting opened under the "APEC China 2026" programme. Tourism is not just about moving people from point A to point B. It is a dialogue of cultures, an exchange of ideas and an economic force capable of uniting continents. When 21 economies of the Asia-Pacific region gather around one table to discuss digital innovation and cooperation, more than a work programme is born — a shared understanding emerges of how to make travel more accessible, safer and more meaningful. Macao, a city where East meets West, becomes an ideal venue for such a conversation.
The meeting, focused on digital innovation and cooperation for tourism development for the Asia-Pacific community, brought together about 200 delegates from 21 APEC member economies and international organisations. Several officials present at the meeting noted that connectivity between APEC economies is crucial for tourism development and prosperity, and expressed hope for strengthening pragmatic cooperation with China.
APEC is the most important mechanism for economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The Tourism Ministers' Meeting is one of the key sectoral events under the annual programme. In 2026, China holds the APEC chairmanship, and the "APEC China 2026" programme includes a series of events across the country. The 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Shenzhen in November 2026, while senior officials' and ministers' meetings will take place in various Chinese cities. Macao, as a special administrative region, plays an important role in these processes, serving as a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as a link between East and West.
As reported by CCTV+, the meeting will run for several days, and its outcomes will include joint initiatives for sustainable and inclusive tourism development in the region.
