Group Photo of Officiating Guests

Host: Ms. Liang Huiling, Governor of the People's Government of Heilongjiang Province

Welcome Remark by the Host Province
Mr. Xu Qin, Secretary of Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Heilongjiang People’s Congress

Opening Remark
Mr. Edmund Ho Hau-wah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Forum Chairman of Global Tourism Economy Forum

Host: Ms. Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of Global Tourism Economy Forum

Opening Remark
Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UN Tourism

Opening Remark
Mr. Tai Kin Ip, Representative of the Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Government, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR Government, Executive Chairman of Global Tourism Economy Forum

Opening Remark
Mr. Luo Laijun, Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce

Opening Keynote Speech: China’s Economy Amid the New Technological Revolution
Mr. Long Yongtu, Former Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of China, Former Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia, Honorary Chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Forum

Opening Keynote Speech: Travel & Tourism: Global Trends & China Outlook
Ms. Gloria Guevara, Interim President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council

Setting the Scene Keynote
Ms. Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of Global Tourism Economy Forum

Opening Ceremony Video

The Secretary-General of the UN Tourism presents a certificate of recognition to the city of Harbin, China, for its leadership and excellence in the development of ice and snow tourism

Kick-off Ceremony of the 11th edition of the “Global Tourism Economy Forum · Heilongjiang 2025”

Michael Frenzel, Honorary Chairman of Global Tourism Economy Forum, Former CEO of TUI Group, Former Chairman of World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism of United Arab Emirates

International tourism continues its strong recovery, with growing arrivals and revenues supporting local economies and jobs worldwide. Countries increasingly work together to ensure the sector remains a driver of growth, cultural exchange, and connectivity through enhanced digital infrastructure, deeper cultural engagement, and improved transportation links.

In collaboration with UN Tourism, this dialogue takes place during the organization’s 50th anniversary of promoting international cooperation and building bridges between sectors. Continuing this legacy, ministers will explore the issues that will define tourism’s future: leveraging connectivity, enhancing innovation, and harnessing culture to drive inclusive growth. Drawing on diverse global experiences, ministers will examine how countries are strengthening cultural tourism through better connectivity—improving access, enhancing digital capabilities, and fostering authentic cultural exchange. They will explore collaborative initiatives in emerging tourism markets and the cross-border frameworks needed to facilitate travel flows and attract investment. Looking ahead, these leaders will identify pathways for enhanced international cooperation that harness tourism’s transformative potential for shared prosperity.

Moderator:
Anita Mendiratta, Special Advisor to the Secretary General of U.N. Tourism, Founder & President of Anita Mendiratta & Associates

Ministerial-level Speakers:
- Ana Carla Machado Lopes, Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism of Brazil
- Rizki Handayani Mustafa, Deputy Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia
- Dr. Ali-Asghar Shalbafian, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of the Islamic Republic of Iran
- Barbara Rwodzi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe

Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group

Travel & Tourism is on track to contribute US$16.5 trillion to the global economy by 2035, yet reaching this potential requires the sector to navigate a critical inflection point defined by technological disruption, mobility transformation, and rapidly evolving traveller expectations. This session brings together private sector leaders to examine how breakthrough technologies are revolutionizing operations, elevating customer experiences, and driving new levels of productivity, creativity, and growth across the industry.

Leaders will explore how mobility is being fundamentally redefined, from sustainable aviation fuel breakthroughs to digital innovations transforming how travellers move and engage with destinations. With the sector currently supporting over 350 million jobs, contributing US$11 trillion to global GDP, and forecast to create 90 million new jobs by 2035, business innovation has never been more critical to the sector’s resilience. These executives will share strategies for harnessing emerging technologies, capturing new growth opportunities, and positioning their companies to lead in an era of accelerating change and evolving consumer expectations.

Moderator:
Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor of CBS News

CEO-level Speakers:
- Kelly Craighead, Former CEO of Cruise Lines International Association
- Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express, Chief Strategy Officer of Accor Group
- Supaluck Umpujh, Chairwoman of The Mall Group
- Ni Yangping, Party Secretary and Chairman of CYTS Holdings Limited

As global tourism accelerates its recovery and undergoes structural transformation, culture is emerging as a core driver of high-quality development in the industry. From the penetration of digital platforms to cross-sector collaboration, cultural empowerment is profoundly altering destination appeal, business models, and consumption patterns. This session brings together two distinguished guests from a leading digital platform and a major industry association to delve into how culture is redefining – and empowering – the value of tourism in the new era.

Session Keynote Speakers:
- Li Jinfei, Vice President and Head of Hotel Travel of Meituan
- Ji Xiaodong, Chairman of China Chamber of Tourism

Opening Remark
Han Shengjian, Vice Governor of the People's Government of Heilongjiang Province

Guest Remark
- Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of Global Tourism Economy Forum
- Adrian Cheng, Member of The National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Founder and Executive Chairman of K11 by AC of ALMAD Group, Chairman of Mega Arts and Cultural Events Committee

Moderator:
Peter Semone, Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)

Interview Guest:
- Speakers: Hadi Tjahjono, Director of the Education, Culture and Tourism Division of ASEAN-China Center
- Amanda Woo, Group Chief Commercial Officer of AirAsia
- Chua Choon Hwa, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) of Malaysia

Xu Zhongchao, Managing Director of China International Capital Corporation

Chua Seong Yek, Executive Director of Harbin Poseidon Resort

Han Jiecai, President of the Harbin Institute of Technology, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

- Caroline Scheufele, Artistic Director and Co-President of Chopard 
- Helen Huang, President of MSC Cruises China and Explora Journey China
- Alison Grinnell, Chief Operating Officer of Marjan Group and Chief Executive Officer of Marjan Hospitality

Zhang Yimou, Filmmaker

Wang Xingxing, Founder, Chief Executive and Chief Technology Officer of Unitree Robotics

Driven by the deep integration of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data, the tourism industry is transitioning from traditional itinerary planning and service delivery toward an intelligent, personalized, and sustainable ecosystem. These technologies are significantly enhancing immersive and interactive experiences for global travelers by enabling precise insights into visitor needs, optimizing resource allocation, and revitalizing cultural heritage. At the same time, digital intelligence is fueling cross-sector integration under the "tourism+" model, giving rise to new formats such as the ice-snow economy, cultural and sports tourism, digital art, and drone performances — all of which contribute to enhancing both the competitiveness and inclusive growth of urban tourism.

Moderator:
István Ujhelyi, Ambassador of UN Tourism

Speakers:
- Yan Hao, General Manager of Greater Bay Area Public Affairs of Douyin Group, Board Member of the Hong Kong Tourism Board
- Liu Hanbin, Chairman of Shenzhen DAMODA Intelligent Control Technology Co., Ltd. , Director of Technology Innovation Center of Intelligent Drone Swarm for Low-altitude Performance, Ministry of Culture and Tourism

- Winnie Chiu, Chairperson and Executive Director of Dorsett Hospitality International
- Zhou Feng, President of Diaoyutai MGM Hotel Group
- Anthony Leung, Partner & Chief Investment Officer of Archbridge Capital Partners Limited
- Hui Kuok, Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Shangri-La Group

- Wan Fangjiang, Mayor of the People's Government of Yichun City
- Guo Hongwei, Party Secretary and Chairman of Harbin Ice-Snow World Co., Ltd.
- Xu Wei, Director and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of the Yabuli Management Committee of Harbin City
- Gong Kai, Director of the Heihe Wudalianchi Management Committee
- E Yanjuan, Director of Mudanjiang Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism

- Kim Jones, Creative Director of Kim Jones Studio
- Gao Dekang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bosideng

The Beijing Winter Olympics created a rich Olympic legacy, from inspiring 300 million people to participate in winter sports to presenting China's solutions for post-Games venue utilization and regional collaborative development — all of which have injected lasting vitality into the global ice and snow economy. Following this, the Harbin Asian Winter Games established a new paradigm for low-carbon event management with its 100% green power supply and low-carbon operations. Looking ahead to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, this session will draw on the examples of Beijing and Harbin to explore future pathways for winter sports events in promoting cultural exchange, technological innovation, and low-carbon transition.

Keynote Speaker:
Ivana Jelinic, President and CEO of Italian Tourism Board (ENIT)

Dialogue Speakers:
- Jiang Yuhong, Party Secretary and President of Harbin Sport University
- Kenneth Fok, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR, Vice President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China

The ice-snow economy is progressively transcending the traditional boundaries of the four seasons and geographies, evolving from a single-season experience in winter into a year-round, all-region tourism model. Through integrated development approaches with sports, culture and digital, the ice-snow industry is expanding into diverse consumption areas like the nighttime economy, ecological wellness, event-based study tours, and more. The comprehensive stimulation of the industrial chain by ice-snow tourism injects lasting momentum into regional economies, forming a sustainable development framework characterized by ice-snow leadership and all-season synergy.

Session Keynote Speaker:
Edward Xu, Co-CEO of Fosun Group, Chairman of Fosun Tourism

Moderator:
He Yafei, Secretary-General of International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA)

Speakers:
- Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express, Chief Strategy Officer of Accor Group
- Paolo Barletta, CEO of Arsenale S.p.A.

Dong Zhiyi, Chief Expert on the low-altitude economy at the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Senior Economist

Moderator:
Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office

Speakers:
- Philip Cheng, Director of Galaxy Entertainment Group
- Raymond Lo, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Marketing, General Manager of Altira Macau and Mocha Clubs, Melco Resorts & Entertainment
- Kenneth Feng, President and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited
- Wilfred Wong, Executive Vice Chairman of Sands China Ltd.
- Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM Resorts, S.A.
- Linda Chen, President, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of Wynn Resorts Macau, Limited
- Leon Li, Vice President of Public Affairs of Fliggy

Project Introduction:
Zhou Wei, General Manager of Harbin Modern Cultural Tourism Investment Group

Reshaping the Global Tourism Investment Landscape: From Recovery to High-Quality Growth

Following its comprehensive recovery, the global tourism industry is now entering a new phase of development centred on quality enhancement, structural optimization, and long-term value creation. This session brings together industry leaders from the world’s leading tourism investment institutions and global online travel platforms to explore emerging trends in tourism investment worldwide. From shifts in capital flows and technology-driven innovations to growth strategies for tourism enterprises in this new cycle, speakers will share forward-looking insights on future investment priorities, pathways for industrial collaboration, and key drivers for advancing high-quality growth in global tourism.

Moderator:
Maribel Rodriguez, International Senior Advisor of Tourism Development Fund of Saudi Arabia, President and Founder of Women Leading Tourism

Speaker:
Greg O’Hara, Founder and Senior Managing Director of Certares

European destinations are reimagining the travel experience—transforming responsible choices into opportunities for richer, more rewarding journeys. In collaboration with the European Travel Commission (ETC), this session explores how leading destinations are reframing high quality, sustainable tourism, encouraging travellers to explore beyond the crowds, travel outside peak seasons, choose low-carbon transport, and support local businesses. This initiative reframes high quality, sustainable travel as an enhancement rather than a limitation. This shift toward experience-led travel creates deeper cultural connections and more authentic experiences, while AI and other digital tools enable travelers to plan smarter journeys, find better value, and discover off-the-beaten-path locations and activities that suit their evolving preferences.

Together, the panelists will explore what the future holds for tourism in the region. This conversation examines innovative approaches to destination management, the power of behavioral insights in shaping visitor choices, and how Europe is uniting behind a shared vision to build a tourism that remains a force for good for generations to come.

Moderator:
Eduardo Santander, CEO and Executive Director of European Travel Commission (ETC)

Speakers:
- Miguel Sanz, Director General of the Spanish National Tourist Office
- Anne-Laure Tuncer, Regional Director Far East of Atout France

Special Interview: Dialogue with Chef Nic
Nicholas Tse will share the philosophy behind his namesake brand. More than a culinary venture, "Chef Nic” is a cultural bridge, connecting people and traditions across East and West. In this session, we'll explore how food elevates travel, fosters meaningful exchange, and brings the world's finest flavours to the global table.

Moderator:
Wu Chen, Programme Host of Phoenix New Media
Interview Guest:
Nicholas Tse, Founder of Chef Nic Holdings Limited

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Closing Ceremony Emcee:
Xu Jing, Vice Chairman of Global Tourism Economy Research Centre

Thank You Remark:
Liu Shijun, Executive Director of the UN Tourism

Thank You Remark:
Han Shengjian, Vice Governor of the People's Government of Heilongjiang Province

Signing Ceremony

Route A (10:00-13:00) Siberian Tiger Park & Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo

Route B (10:00-13:30) Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo & Siberian Tiger Park

Route C (10:00-19:00) Yabuli Ski Resort

Route D (09:30-16:00) Mao'er Mountain, Shangzhi City