On 27 June, the 13th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Ministers’ Meeting opened in Macao.

Delegates at the meeting pointed out that tourism serves as a crucial driving force for the economic development of the Asia-Pacific region, boasting a solid foundation, immense potential, and a promising future. In recent years, the scope of mutual visa exemptions has continued to expand, steadily enhancing the facilitation of cross-border tourism and continuously scaling up tourist exchanges. This Tourism Ministers’ Meeting is an important component of the APEC ‘China Year’ and will mark a brand-new starting point for all member economies to further deepen their tourism cooperation.

The meeting received reports respectively on the key matters and progress of the 2026 APEC China meetings, the work of the APEC Secretariat, and the developments of the 67th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting.

Heads of tourism authorities from the 21 member economies spoke at the session to jointly discuss tourism development in the Asia-Pacific region. They explored several key issues, including:

The significant contribution of empowering tourism development with digital and intelligent technologies to the economic and social advancement of the Asia-Pacific region;

Priority areas for digital and intelligent innovation to empower the tourism sector;

Promoting the barrier-free flow of tourism across the Asia-Pacific region through innovative multilateral cooperation on tourism facilitation; and

Encouraging greater stakeholder participation to ensure that digital and intelligent innovations in tourism benefit a wider population.

Ng Wai Han, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government, introduced the technical visit activities of this year’s meeting. She stated that hosting this grand event is not only a full affirmation of Macao’s capacity to accommodate major international conventions and exhibitions, but also serves as a powerful encouragement for the SAR’s active efforts to build a ‘World Centre of Tourism and Leisure’.

During the event, delegates also participated in the accompanying cultural and tourism showcases and experiential activities.