The Global Tourism Forum is set to host its flagship Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Brussels, bringing together an exceptional assembly of global leaders, policymakers, and industry pioneers at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
Taking place on 26 and 27 October 2026, the Annual Meeting will welcome five heads of state, more than 40 ministers, and over 1,000 high-level delegates from across the globe. The event is positioned as one of the most influential gatherings in the international tourism calendar, serving as a strategic platform for shaping the future of travel, investment, and sustainable destination development.
“The Brussels edition will focus on unlocking tourism-driven economic growth, fostering cross-border investment, and accelerating innovation across the sector. Our discussions will address key priorities such as infrastructure development, aviation expansion, digital transformation, and the evolving expectations of global travellers,” said President of the World Tourism Forum Institute.
With participation from government leaders, global investors, destination authorities, and private sector executives, the forum will address critical topics including infrastructure development, digital transformation, aviation expansion, and the evolving expectations of global travellers.
Set against the cultural and artistic backdrop of one of Europe’s most iconic institutions, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium provides a fitting venue for high-level dialogue and collaboration. The event will feature keynote speeches, ministerial panels, investment sessions, and exclusive networking opportunities designed to drive partnerships and actionable outcomes.
World Tourism Awards 2026 to take place alongside forum
The event will take place in parallel with the World Tourism Awards 2026 on 26 October, further strengthening Brussels’ position as a key hub for the international travel and tourism industry.
As reported by Travel Tomorrow, the awards will bring together ministers, investors, hospitality executives, destination leaders, tourism innovators, and global brands for a high-level gathering focused on excellence, influence, and the future direction of travel. More than a celebration of achievement, the ceremony reflects a broader shift in the industry, where success is increasingly measured through resilience, innovation, and long-term value creation.
The growing prestige of the awards is reflected in the calibre and diversity of its recent honourees. At the 2025 edition in Brussels, recognition was given to destinations such as France, Egypt, Angola, Singapore, and Maldives, alongside major institutions and brands including Turkish Airlines, Marriott International, Dubai World Trade Center, The Red Sea Project, and GetYourGuide, underlining the awards’ global reach.
This year, the presence of Angola as the host country of the forum adds further strategic depth to the gathering. Under the leadership of Márcio Daniel, the country has been actively positioning tourism as a driver of economic diversification and international investment, bringing a forward-looking perspective to discussions in Brussels.
As the Global Tourism Forum continues to expand its global footprint, the Brussels Annual Meeting reinforces its mission to connect public and private sector leaders, catalyse investment flows, and position tourism as a key driver of global economic resilience and growth.
