The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 8th Tourism Ministerial Meeting (TMM8), hosted by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and organized by the Macao Special Administration Region, will be held in Macao on 13 September.

Delegates attending the event are arriving in Macao, and preparations have been completed regarding venue arrangements, hospitality for visiting delegations, media coverage and security work.

A total of 152 attendees, including the tourism ministers or representatives of 21 APEC economies, delegates from the APEC Secretariat, the United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the Asia Pacific Travel Association (PATA), and the APEC Center for International Sustainable Tourism, have already registered for the event.

Some 300 journalists from local, mainland China and overseas media organizations have also registered to cover the meeting.

Prior to the opening of the TMM8, the APEC Tourism Working Group will hold a tourism workshop and the 45th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting (TWG45).

During the Tourism Workshop held in the morning of 9 September, delegates from APEC economies will discuss topics related to integrated development of tourism and other industries, the use of technology for smart tourism, and connectivity issues.

The TWG45 will be held on 10 and 11 September, during which China will brief delegates on its preparations for the TMM8, and exchange views with the attendees on issues of common concern.

The Macao SAR Government will host the “Macao Night” – Welcome Dinner for the delegates from around the world on 12 September.

The TMM8 will officially open at the Macao East Asian Games Dome in the morning of 13 September, and the Press Conference for Meeting Achievements will be held in the same afternoon.

With the theme "Exploration of Asia Pacific Tourism Cooperation and Future Development", the five main topics for discussion during the meeting are related to exchanges between and discussions concerning integration of Asia Pacific tourism markets, facilitating transformation and growth of the tourism industry, promoting intelligent tourism with modern technology and interconnection of Asia Pacific travel, and encouraging low-carbon development and co-operation between tourism operators.

The ministerial meeting will conclude with the announcement of "Macao Declaration", the event’s key achievement.