The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) 2025 will take place in Harbin, Heilongjiang from December 15–17 under the theme New Quality Productive Forces: Powering the Global Tourism Economy.

Key forum themes include Ice-Snow Economy & Industrial Innovation, Cultural Empowerment & Brand Building, Investment Leadership & Project Development, and Cross-Border Collaboration, with participants from more than 30 countries.

The event is expected to draw over 1,000 guests from five continents, including the UN Tourism Secretary-General, ministers of culture and tourism, Fortune Global 500 executives, and other industry experts.

Discussions aim to reinforce tourism’s role in economic growth, job creation, and international cooperation, emphasizing sustainable models and best-practice sharing for global recovery.

Heilongjiang will spotlight a year-round tourism strategy, building on two 100-day promotion campaigns that propelled 2024 results: roughly 282 million visits (+29.1%), tourism spending around 370.12 billion yuan (+67.1%), international visitors about 1.2 million (+95.4%), and inbound spending near 13.44 billion yuan (+101.5%).

The province will showcase ice-snow economy, winter sports, eco-tourism, and cultural offerings as part of a four-season tourism model.

Historical growth highlights for Heilongjiang in 2024 show a 29.1% jump in visitors to 282 million, a 67% rise in tourism spending, and a 95.4% increase in international arrivals.

GTEF is presented as a bridge between China and the world, backed by international organizations and recognized in policy contexts such as the State Council’s 14th Five-Year Plan and by UN Tourism.

The forum is positioned within broader policy and industry contexts as a platform for linking global resources with China, reinforcing its Davos-like status in the tourism sector.

The event aims to boost Heilongjiang’s global tourism profile, attract more international visitors and investors, and drive innovation in the global tourism economy.

Core activities include opening/closing ceremonies, keynote talks, roundtables, cultural showcases, and an Investment Promotion Session to connect global resources with local opportunities and promote innovation in the tourism value chain.

Program highlights feature demonstrations of innovative tourism products and post-pandemic recovery-focused investment promotion to attract global investors.

Across sessions, the forum will promote cross-border collaboration and investment in Heilongjiang projects through a mix of ceremonies, speeches, roundtables, and cultural showcases.

GTEF is an annual summit originally launched in Macao in 2012, with more than 14,000 participants from over 90 countries and regions, and partnerships with 44 countries and 13 Chinese provinces and cities.

The event’s long-running mission is to promote sustainable development and global cooperation in tourism.

Delegates will have the opportunity to tour Harbin’s ice-and-snow attractions and development projects to highlight China’s ice-and-snow tourism appeal and Heilongjiang’s cultural achievements.

Winter attractions highlighted include the Harbin Ice Festival, Yabuli Ski Resort, and cultural showcases blending natural beauty with local traditions.

Attendees can also experience Harbin’s winter markets and immersive cultural experiences, including ice skating and regional specials.