Beijing - China

This week, Beijing is turning into a global forum for tourist cities, with the launch of the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development 2026 today, Tuesday, September 8, with the participation of representatives, tourism officials and tour operators from more than 50 countries and regions and more than 50 cities, with its work continuing until September 11 under the umbrella of the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF).

While today's activities begin with the registration of delegations, a tour of an international trade zone, and a cultural show, the official opening of the conference will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, at the Shougang International Exhibition and Convention Complex, in conjunction with the China International Fair for Trade in Services.

The city is no longer just hotels and landmarks

The issue raised by the conference goes beyond increasing the number of tourists; Today, the competition has become over the entire identity of the city: ease of access, security, digital payment, culture, food, technology, local neighborhoods, events, and even the quality of life that the visitor experiences for a few days.
The conference will witness the issuance of the World Tourism Cities Development Report 2025-2026, in addition to the evaluation framework for the international ISO standard for “Evaluating the Brand of Tourist Cities,” in a move that makes the comparison between cities more linked to measurable elements, and not to the number of famous landmarks alone.

Artificial intelligence enters the competition

Under a theme focusing on digital innovation and collaboration, the conference showcases applications including generative artificial intelligence, augmented reality simultaneous translation glasses, and 3D digital characters, while business meetings bring together international buyers with companies and tourist destinations.

Beijing shows beyond the wall of China

What is most striking is that Beijing does not want to market itself through the Wall of China and the Forbidden City only; The program takes international travel agents to areas such as Huairou, Yanqing and Changping to discover rural tourism, nature, technology, meeting and business tourism.
For Arab cities, the experience carries a clear message: the famous landmark attracts the tourist once, but the integrated city is what makes him stay longer, spend more, and want to return. In a market crowded with new destinations, a city's identity and daily experience have become an essential part of the competition for the global traveler.