The Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities (TPO, Secretary-General Kang Da-eun) announced that the 1st Global City Tourism Summit (GCTS), held from October 27 to 29 at Paradise Hotel Haeundae and various venues throughout Busan, concluded successfully.
A total of more than 1,200 participants, including mayoral delegations from 22 cities across 13 countries, as well as high-level representatives from international organizations, academia, and the tourism industry, took part in the event, marking a new turning point in global urban tourism policy.
This first Global City Tourism Summit was co-hosted and co-organized by Busan Metropolitan City, the Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities (TPO), and the Busan Tourism Organization (BTO) under the main theme of “Local Tourism and Culture: Innovation and Collaboration.” The summit was recognized for establishing a new paradigm in urban tourism policy while strengthening TPO’s role as a global platform in city-to-city tourism cooperation.
During the Mayor’s Roundtable, delegations from 13 cities adopted a Joint Statement reaffirming their commitment to strengthening city-to-city collaboration. The statement outlines four core principles: implementation of global tourism policies, integration of innovation and technology, promotion of cooperative networks, and pursuit of sustainable tourism, along with four action plans to put these principles into practice.
Looking ahead, the TPO plans to expand its city-to-city network and strengthen the foundation for tourism data and policy exchange, taking the lead in building a sustainable urban tourism ecosystem.
The Thematic Session offered insights into the future direction of urban tourism development.
In Session I, global companies such as Mastercard and Agoda participated in discussions on a new vision for urban tourism, focusing on the role of cities and governments in enhancing tourism experiences through digital transformation and in promoting local culture as a tourism asset. In Session II, tourism leaders from major global cities and academic experts gathered to discuss “Good Tourism” — a sustainable tourism philosophy that harmonizes people, place, and the environment. The session featured the founder of the Good Tourism Institute (Netherlands) and representatives from Mori Memorial Foundation (Japan, publisher of the Global Power City Index), who presented insights on the correlation between tourism competitiveness and urban competitiveness, as well as innovative models based on the Good Tourism framework.
The 1st Global City Tourism Summit served as a turning point beyond policy discussions, practically expanding TPO’s global network and establishing a concrete foundation for cooperation among member cities. The event brought together international organizations, city governments, and private companies in one place to explore new possibilities for tourism collaboration, while strengthening TPO’s role through strategic partnerships and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs).
Expanding City Partnerships and Global Network
The summit served as a dynamic platform for expanding city-to-city partnerships and fostering collaboration between local governments, international organizations, and private sector players across the tourism industry. A total of 27 bilateral meetings were held, facilitating exchanges and concrete steps toward future cooperation.
Busan Metropolitan City signed an MOU with Agoda, a global OTA, covering integrated global marketing, joint development of themed and customized tourism products, and collaborative tourist attraction efforts. This partnership establishes a strategic channel to showcase Busan’s tourism offerings to potential visitors worldwide.
TPO also signed an MOU with the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea to promote tourism exchange between TPO member cities and Silk Road heritage destinations such as Samarkand. Through bilateral meetings, Kigali (Rwanda) expressed interest in joining TPO as the organization’s first African member, while discussions with Nice (France), Copenhagen (Denmark), Guatemala, and other cities laid groundwork for expansion across Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
Private Sector Partnerships: Achieving Tangible Business Outcomes
During the Business Meet-up (B2B Meetings), two online travel agencies (OTAs), 22 tourism companies, and seven venture investment firms participated in a total of 123 consultations. Through networking sessions with global travel and investment companies, tourism organizations and enterprises from member cities explored investment opportunities, joint tourism product development, and collaborative marketing strategies, creating a platform for practical business exchange and fostering real opportunities for cooperation.
Educational Cooperation: Launch of the Global Tourism Open University Network
The Global Tourism Open University Network—the world’s first cooperative model uniting cities, international organizations, and universities—was officially launched with the participation of Busan Metropolitan City, the Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities (TPO), the Asia Pacific Tourism Association (APTA), and 21 universities in Busan. This collaboration marked a major step toward jointly nurturing future global tourism professionals and driving innovation in tourism education, positioning Busan as a platform for developing the next generation of tourism policy experts.
In addition, the first cohort of the TPO Youth Ambassadors was launched, with participation from Dong-Eui University, Dong-A University, Dongseo University, and Youngsan University. Around 70 students, including both Korean and international participants, will promote the tourism assets of TPO member cities over the course of one year, establishing a practical global communication channel that transcends language barriers.
The TPO Youth Ambassador Program is expected to serve as a key driver in expanding the TPO network across policy, business, and education, reinforcing TPO’s role as a sustainable cooperation platform rather than a one-time event.
In addition, the Summit was recognized for going beyond an international policy forum by offering a variety of interactive programs that encouraged the active participation of citizens and youth, thereby strengthening its connection with the local community.
The experiential global street festival “Global City Tourism Roadshow,” held from October 27 to 28 along Gunam-ro in Haeundae, featured city promotion booths, traditional performances, a multicultural food zone, a lighting lounge, and a “Slow Mailbox” experience, attracting around 5,000 visitors over two days and drawing enthusiastic participation from the public.
Building on the success of these citizen programs, Gunam-ro was transformed into a true “festival of tourism” where citizens and international visitors came together, presenting a new model in which an international conference is integrated with the local community. Through this.
Summarizing the significance of the summit, TPO Secretary-General Kang Da-eun stated, “This summit was a starting point for redefining urban tourism. City-to-city cooperation is not a choice but a survival strategy, and we will build a global tourism ecosystem driven by digital innovation, regional specialization, and international collaboration.”
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