Global Tourism Economy Forum 2025 to Convene in Harbin from December 15–17 - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) will hold its 2025 edition in Harbin, Heilongjiang, from 15 to 17 December. With the theme “New Quality Productive Forces: Powering the Global Tourism Economy,” the event will gather more than 1,000 participants from over 30 countries and regions. Among them are senior representatives of UN Tourism, international organisations, ministries of culture and tourism, global corporations and leading experts. The Forum aims to outline new models of cooperation and chart future pathways for the global tourism economy.

A Milestone Edition in China’s “Ice City”

Founded in 2012 in Macao, GTEF has welcomed more than 14,000 participants from over 90 countries and regions across ten editions, establishing itself as a key platform connecting China and the world. For the first time, the Forum will take place outside Macao. Hosting GTEF marks a milestone for Heilongjiang, reflecting the province’s growing cultural-tourism profile and expanding international partnerships.

Heilongjiang’s Year-Round Tourism Strategy

Heilongjiang has intensified the development of its cultural and tourism industries in recent years. The province has built a diversified ecosystem centred on ice-and-snow tourism, winter sports, eco-tourism and wellness, supported by new quality productive forces. Two major 100-day promotion campaigns strengthened seasonal demand: one positioning Heilongjiang as a cool summer retreat, the other highlighting winter as a classic ice-and-snow season.

These efforts translated into exceptional results in 2024. The province recorded 282 million tourist visits, a year-on-year rise of 29.1 per cent. Tourism revenue reached 370.12 billion yuan, up 67.1 per cent. International arrivals grew to 1.2 million, increasing 95.4 per cent, while inbound spending rose 101.5 per cent to 13.44 billion yuan. The figures signal strong momentum in both volume and quality.

Forum Agenda: Innovation, Investment and Cross-Border Exchange

Structured around Heilongjiang’s all-season tourism model, the 2025 Forum focuses on four thematic pillars: ice-and-snow economy and industrial innovation; cultural empowerment and brand development; investment leadership and project advancement; and cross-border cooperation. The programme includes opening and closing sessions, keynote speeches, roundtables, cultural-tourism showcases and an investment promotion session dedicated to Heilongjiang Province.

The Forum aims to provide an international platform for business exchange, foster high-quality project matchmaking and support the integration of innovation and industry across the global tourism economy.

Firsthand Insight into China’s Ice-and-Snow Tourism

The Forum coincides with Heilongjiang’s winter tourism campaign. Delegates will be invited to explore Harbin’s landmark attractions and development projects, offering a close view of China’s ice-and-snow tourism and the province’s cultural-tourism achievements.

About the Global Tourism Economy Forum

The Global Tourism Economy Forum is a high-level platform dedicated to the sustainable development of the global tourism industry. Since 2012, it has hosted more than 700 international speakers and over 14,000 participants, including leaders from government, business and academia. Supported by extensive global media coverage and recognised in China’s national tourism planning, GTEF has become an influential bridge connecting China with international tourism markets. In 2018, UN Tourism pledged full support for GTEF to evolve into the “Davos Forum of the Global Tourism Industry.”

Further information is available at https://gte-forum.com/en/homepage/index.html and via the Forum’s official social media channels.

Image Credit: © The Global Tourism Economy Forum