Tourism policymakers, researchers, academics and industry leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region will gather in Guilin, China, from 19–21 October 2026 for the 20th UN Tourism/PATA Forum on Tourism Trends and Outlook, one of the region’s leading platforms for tourism intelligence, policy dialogue and strategic foresight. The milestone edition marks the twentieth anniversary of the forum, which has become a key reference point for tourism trend analysis and destination development in Asia and the Pacific.
Jointly organized by UN Tourism, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the Guilin Municipal People’s Government, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the forum has been held annually in Guilin since its launch in 2007. Over the years, it has evolved into a major international gathering where government officials, tourism experts and industry practitioners exchange insights on emerging trends, market developments and future challenges facing the tourism sector.
The 2026 edition will be held under the theme “AI and Digital Transformation in Tourism.” Organizers aim to explore how artificial intelligence, digital technologies and data-driven innovation are reshaping tourism planning, destination management, visitor experiences and business operations. Discussions are expected to focus on the opportunities and challenges associated with technological change and the growing importance of digital transformation across the tourism ecosystem.
According to UN Tourism and PATA, the forum will provide a high-level platform for presenting and analyzing global and regional tourism trends, facilitating policy dialogue among member states, and strengthening evidence-based decision-making in the tourism sector. The event is expected to bring together representatives from governments, tourism organizations, universities, research institutions and private-sector companies throughout the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
The organizers note that previous editions have addressed issues such as sustainable tourism development, post-pandemic recovery, smart tourism, destination resilience, innovation and capacity management. The 2026 anniversary edition is expected to build on these discussions while placing particular emphasis on the transformative role of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in shaping the future of travel.
The forum’s long-standing partnership between UN Tourism, PATA, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the City of Guilin has helped establish the event as one of the most influential tourism knowledge-sharing platforms in the Asia-Pacific region. Organizers expect the twentieth edition to further strengthen regional cooperation and contribute to the development of more resilient, innovative and sustainable tourism destinations.
Conference at a Glance
Event: 20th UN Tourism/PATA Forum on Tourism Trends and Outlook
Dates: 19–21 October 2026
Location: Guilin, China
Theme:AI and Digital Transformation in Tourism
Organizers: UN Tourism, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Guilin Municipal People’s Government, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Participants: Policymakers, academics, researchers, tourism professionals and industry leaders
Focus Areas: Artificial intelligence, digital transformation, tourism intelligence, destination management, tourism trends and policy development.
