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DAY1 PROGRAMS DAY2 PROGRAMS EXCHANGE & COOPERATION SIDE EVENT · Opening Ceremony · Keynote Session · High-Level Policy Session · Ambassadors’ Session · [Thematic Session I ] Expert · [Thematic Session II ] City on Marine Tourism · [Thematic Session Ⅲ] Corporate · [Thematic Session Ⅳ ] Youth · [Special Session I ] KF Korea · Central Asia Cooperation · [Special Session II ] GSTC-D Workshop · [Special Session III] City Tourism Presentation · Bilateral Meeting · Business Meetup · Global City Tourism Roadshow · Familiarization Tour INDEX 3
The 2nd Global City Tourism Summit The 2nd Global City Tourism Summit DATE Oct. 26(Mon) - 28(Wed), 2026 VENUE Paradise Hotel Busan and various locations across the city of Busan THEME Local Tourism; Connecting Urban Economies and Tourism Innovation Host/ Organizer Busan Metropolitan City, Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities(TPO), Busan Tourism Organization
DATE Welcome Reception Paradise Hotel, Sicily Room + Outside garden(1F) High-Level Policy Session Paradise Hotel, Grand Ballroom (2F) Opening Ceremony Paradise Hotel, Grand Ballroom (2F) VIP Luncheon Paradise Hotel, Sicily Room (1F) Working-Level Luncheon Yeyije Working-Level Luncheon Yeyije Mayors’ Roundtable Paradise Hotel, Capri Room (2F) Keynote Session Paradise Hotel, Grand Ballroom (2F) Ambassadors’ Session Paradise Hotel, Grand Ballroom (2F) Gala Dinner Paradise Hotel, Grand Ballroom (2F) [Thematic Session I] Expert Paradise Hotel, Grand Ballroom (2F) / 09:30-10:40 [Thematic Session II] City on Marine Tourism Paradise Hotel, Grand Ballroom (2F) / 10:50-12:20 VIP Luncheon cloud mipo, ELBOOS by SOOBLE (3F) Familiarization Tour Busan, Ulsan, Gimhae [Thematic Session III] Corporate Paradise Hotel, Grand Ballroom (2F) [Special Session I] KF Korea · Central Asia Cooperation Paradise Hotel, Capri Room (2F) / 10:50-12:20 [Thematic Session Ⅳ] Youth Paradise Hotel, Grand Ballroom (2F) / 15:20-17:00 [Special Session II] GSTC-D Workshop Paradise Hotel, Capri Room (2F) / 15:40-17:00 PROGRAM 18:00 - 20:00 11:20 - 12:30 Oct. 26 (Mon) DAY 1 Oct.25 (Sun) Oct. 27 (Tue) DAY 2 Oct 28 (Wed) DAY 3 09:00 - 09:45 12:30 - 14:30 16:00 - 17:30 09:00 - 12:20 09:45 - 11:05 14:30 - 15:45 18:00 - 20:00 12:30 - 14:00 14:00 - 15:10 15:20 - 17:00 09:00 - 18:00 5 [Special Session III] City Tourism Presentation Paradise Hotel, Panorama Room (16F)/ 09:00-12:00
The 2nd Global City Tourism Summit Event Layout Sicily roomRegistration DeskInformation DeskCoffee Station Sydney 3 room Sydney 2 room Sydney 1 room Napoli room Venice room Miami room Capri room Grand Ball roomE.V.Prayer RoomPhoto ZoneE.V.E.V. Panorama room 1F 16F 2F 6
The 2nd Sicily Room (1F) Business Meetup Grand Ballroom (2F) Opening Ceremony Keynote Session High-Level Policy Session Ambassadors' Session Thematic Session Capri Room (2F) Mayors’ Roundtable Special Session Venice Room (2F) Bilateral Meeting Sydney Room 1,2 (2F) Secretariat Sydney Room 3 (2F) Media Lounge 7 Panorama Room (16F) Special Session
DAY 1 Oct. 26(Mon), 2026 Opening Ceremony 09:00 - 09:45 14:30 - 15:45 11:20 - 12:30 09:45 - 11:05 Ambassadors’ Session High-Level Policy Session Keynote Session Grand Ballroom (2F) Miami Room (2F) Capri Room (2F) Venice Room (2F) Sicily Room (1F) Panorama Room(16F)
DAY 1DATE October 26 (Mon), 2026 ㅣ 09:00 - 09:45 VENUE Grand Ballroom, Paradise Hotel Busan (2F) PROGRAMS Opening Performance, Welcome & Congratulatory Remarks, Ceremony PARTICIPANTS LANGUAGE Senior government officials, organization executives, and experts English (with simultaneous interpretation in Korean) 10 Opening Ceremony A new beginning for tourism that transforms the city’s future
Local Tourism; Connecting Urban Economies and Tourism Innovation In 2026, Busan will shape the future of urban tourism. Cities around the world are seeking new strategies for sustainable growth and regional economic revitalization, with tourism emerging as a key driver of urban innovation and global collaboration. The inaugural Global City Tourism Summit, held last year, brought together approximately 1,000 participants from 13 countries and 22 cities, while more than 5,000 visitors participated in the Global City Tourism Roadshow, marking a successful first step. Building on this achievement, the Summit will return to Busan in October, bringing together tourism organizations, industry experts, and global partners once again. The 2nd Global City Tourism Summit will explore how local tourism can create new value for cities through sustainable policies, innovation, and global collaboration. Through this Summit, Busan will further strengthen its meaningful partnerships and collaborative efforts, creating a global platform for practical action and working together to build a more sustainable and resilient future for connected urban tourism. 11
DAY 112 DATE October 26 (Mon), 2026 ㅣ 09:45 - 11:05 VENUE TOPIC Grand Ballroom, Paradise Hotel Busan (2F) The Future Urban Economy Shaped by Local Tourism and Digital Innovation KEY INSIGHTS Connecting Urban Economies and Tourism Innovation through Local Tourism : Driving Sustainable Urban Growth and Global Collaboration PARTICIPANTS CONTENT LANGUAGE Government Delegations and Institutional Representatives Keynote Speech and Panel Discussion on the Theme English (with simultaneous interpretation in Korean) Local Tourism in Support of Urban Economies What sets cities that attract tourists apart from those that generate greater economic value from tourism? This session explores the key drivers of urban tourism competitiveness and strategies to increase visitor spending, extend stays, and spread tourism benefits across local economies. It highlights how local tourism can become a powerful engine for urban growth. Keynote Session
Jay Lee North Asia Senior Director, AGODA Travel Data to Local Economic Value : How Digital Platforms Are Reshaping Urban Tourism Dirk Glaesser Director of Sustainable Development, UN Tourism Randy Durband CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Local Tourism in Support of Urban Economies Speakers Jung-Won Kang Deputy Minister, Tourism Policy, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism 13 Speaker Speaker Moderator Kaye Chon Dean and Chair Professor, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Panelist Panelist Panelist Panelist
DAY 114 DATE October 26 (Mon), 2026 ㅣ 11:20 - 12:30 VENUE Grand Ballroom, Paradise Hotel Busan (2F) KEY INSIGHTS City leaders share tourism policy directions and local best practices, offering participants direct benchmarking insights into how cities can drive tourism innovation, strengthen local economies, and foster global city cooperation PARTICIPANTS TOPIC LANGUAGE City leaders from participating cities, senior government officials, and tourism and urban policy representatives Shaping the Future of Cities Through Tourism: From Policy Vision to Collective Action English (with simultaneous interpretation in Korean and Spanish) CONTENT Sharing Insights from Global Cities How are cities turning tourism into economic growth? City leaders share policies and practical experiences in tourism development, sustainability, and smart tourism. Through diverse city perspectives, the session highlights strategies for attracting investment, creating jobs, and unlocking new opportunities for local economies. High-Level Policy Session Shaping the Future of Cities through Tourism – Finding Answers Together
Speakers Sustainable Tourism & Urban Resilience Machu Picchu, Peru (Mayor Elvis Latorre Uñaccori) Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation & Responsible Tourism Management Smart Tourism & Digital Innovation Busan Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea (Vice Mayor Seok-Geun Oh) Smart Tourism: From Visitor Convenience to City Value City Branding & Tourism Experience Colombo, Sri Lanka (Deputy Mayor Rathnayaka Weerakoon Hemantha Kumara) Turning Local Value into Urban Growth: Exploring Tourism Policy Solutions Local Economy & Community Development San Salvador Centro, El Salvador (Mayor Mario Durán) From Urban Revitalization to a New Local Visitor Economy 15 Discussion Topic Eunji Tae Officer, Asia-Pacific, UN Tourism Moderator
DAY 116 DATE October 26 (Mon), 2026 ㅣ 14:30 - 15:45 VENUE Grand Ballroom, Paradise Hotel Busan (2F) TOPIC Hidden Gems from the Diplomatic Frontline : Ambassadors on Tourism City Branding and Urban Economic Revitalization PARTICIPANTS CONTENT LANGUAGE Diplomatic Missions in Korea, Global Tourism Companies, and Relevant Organizations Officials from diplomatic missions in Korea will give presentations and hold discussions on the topics of city branding and the revitalization of local economies English (with simultaneous interpretation in Korean) KEY INSIGHTS Presentations and discussions by Ambassadors on city branding and local economic development from an international perspective Finding New Solutions for Tourism in Global Cities How can cities transform their unique culture, heritage, and local experiences into tourism opportunities? Ambassadors share insights and successful approaches from their countries, highlighting how local identity can create economic value and strengthen tourism competitiveness. The session also explores new opportunities for international tourism cooperation. Ambassadors’ Session
Bruno Jans Embassy of Belgium to the Republic of Korea Enhancing Urban Tourism Competitiveness and Revitalizing Local Economies through Historical and Cultural Heritage Jyri Järviaho Embassy of Finland to the Republic of Korea Advancing Sustainable Urban Tourism through a Balance between Residents and Visitors Speakers Alisher Abdusalomov Embassy of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Korea Revitalizing Historic Cities and Promoting Extended-Stay Tourism through Silk Road Cultural Heritage Hazem Ismail Ibrahim Zaki Embassy of Egypt to the Republic of Korea Cultural Heritage as a Driver of Urban Economic Growth : Egypt’s Tourism and Urban Development Strategies Seoung-Hyun Moon Collaboration Professor, Dongseo University 17 Moderator Panelist Panelist Panelist Panelist
DAY 2 Oct. 27(Tue), 2026 [Thematic Session I] Expert 09:30 - 10:40 15:20 - 17:00 09:00 - 12:00 14:00 - 15:10 15:40 - 17:00 10:50 - 12:20 10:50 - 12:20 [Thematic Session Ⅳ] Youth Special Session III [Thematic Session Ⅲ] Corporate Special Session Ⅱ [Thematic Session II] City on Marine Tourism Special Session Ⅰ Grand Ballroom (2F) Miami Room (2F) Capri Room (2F) Venice Room (2F) Sicily Room (1F) Panorama Room(16F)
DAY 2 20 DATE October 27 (Tue), 2026 ㅣ 09:30 – 10:40 VENUE Grand Ballroom, Paradise Hotel Busan (2F) CONTENT Presentation and Discussion on the Development Direction of the Good Tourism Index (GTI), a Tool for Cities to Diagnose and Improve Their Tourism Policies PARTICIPANTS TOPIC LANGUAGE Academic experts, industry professionals, and the general public Good Tourism: Quality of Tourism as a New Measure of Urban Growth English (with simultaneous interpretation in Korean) Thematic Session I - Expert Session Is tourism success measured only by visitor numbers and revenue? This session explores a broader definition of successful tourism, considering its economic, social, and environmental impacts. Experts discuss data-driven strategies, community participation, and new indicators for tourism that benefits both residents and visitors. Good Tourism
Myungkeun Song Secretary General, Asia Pacific Tourism Association (APTA) Good Tourism: A New Perspective on Turning Tourism Growth into Value for Cities and Residents Speakers Peter Dustan Research Fellow, Mori Memorial Foundation, Japan Introducing the Good Tourism Index (GTI) : Measuring Better Tourism for Better Cities Simon Moriarty VP of Syndicated Research, MMGY Global Understanding Responsible Tourism Demand and Local Value through Traveler Data Giannina Warren Associate Professor, RMIT University Vietnam City Identity and Residents’ Voices : Building a Tourism Brand with Community Support Yeong-Hyeon Hwang President of the Asia Pacific Tourism Association (APTA) 21 Moderator Speaker Speaker Speaker Panelist Panelist Panelist Panelist
DAY 2 22 DATE October 27 (Tue), 2026 ㅣ 10:50 – 12:20 VENUE Grand Ballroom, Paradise Hotel Busan (2F) CONTENT Presentations and panel discussions on revitalizing tourism through marine resources, fostering regional economic development, and creating urban value PARTICIPANTS TOPIC LANGUAGE Academics, professionals, public audience City on Marine Tourism : Strengthening Tourism Competitiveness through Local Culture and Marine Resources English (with simultaneous interpretation in Korean) Thematic Session II - City on Marine Tourism Session How can coastal cities turn their marine resources into economic opportunities? Drawing on experiences from leading maritime destinations, this session explores strategies connecting coastal attractions, marine leisure, tourism infrastructure, and local culture. It highlights ways to strengthen tourism's economic impact while protecting marine environments and supporting local communities. City on Marine Tourism
Speakers Dong-Yoon Yoo Professor, Department of Hotel and Tourism Management, Youngsan University Key Elements for Creating Value in Stay-Based Urban Tourism and Local Tourism Industries through Marine Tourism Woo-Jeong Cho Professor, Korea Maritime and Ocean University 23 Moderator Emily Wang Director, Overseas Marketing, Sanya Tourism Board Leveraging Marine Resources and Local Culture to Enhance Tourism Competitiveness Speaker Thabet Hassan Al-Nabulsi Commissioner for Tourism & Youth Affairs, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Digital Storytelling: Reimagining the Maritime City Experience Speaker Doane Liu Chief Tourism Officer, City of Los Angeles Advancing Coastal Tourism through Integrated Visitor Experiences Speaker Panelist Panelist Panelist Panelist
DAY 2 24 DATE October 27 (Tue), 2026 ㅣ 14:00 – 15:10 VENUE Grand Ballroom, Paradise Hotel Busan (2F) CONTENT Discussing how emerging tourist demands translate into local and urban economic growth through travel data and regional tourism case studies PARTICIPANTS TOPIC LANGUAGE Academic experts, industry experts, and general attendees, among others Wellness and Local Content : Sustainable Tourism Models for Urban Economic Growth English (with simultaneous interpretation in Korean) Thematic Session III - Corporate Session How can wellness tourism and local experiences create new business opportunities? Global tourism leaders explore emerging travel trends and innovative ways to connect wellness with local culture, nature, and lifestyle. The session highlights how digital platforms and distinctive local experiences can drive visitor spending and sustainable business growth. The Convergence of Wellness and Local Content
Speakers Alex Park Country Director for South Korea, AGODA The Experience Economy in Travel : How Cities Can Turn Local Assets into Global Demand Somsak Boonkam Founder & CEO, Local Alike Developing Healing Local Wellness Experiences : Monetizing village-level local content into wellness tourism assets Wei Li Vice President & Economist, Mastercard Economics Institute Where Do Travelers Spend Money?: New Opportunities for Wellness Tourism Through Consumption and Expenditure Data 25 Speaker Speaker Speaker
DAY 2 26 DATE October 27 (Tue), 2026 ㅣ 15:20 – 17:00 VENUE Grand Ballroom, Paradise Hotel Busan (2F) CONTENT Strengthening practical skills through conversations with tourism industry leaders, sharing young people's perspectives, and building industry-academia networks PARTICIPANTS TOPIC LANGUAGE All young people in the region seeking work and new opportunities Finding My Path Through Local Tourism : Young People’s Work and Challenges Korean (with simultaneous interpretation in English) Thematic Session IV - Youth Session & Contest Awards Ceremony Can everyday local experiences become the next tourism attraction? Young creators share how they discover hidden local gems and transform them into engaging digital content. Through their stories, the session highlights how fresh perspectives can inspire travel, attract visitors, and create new opportunities for local communities. New Possibilities in Local Tourism Through the Eyes of Youth
Sung-Jun Jung CEO, Mr.Mention Beyond Travel to Staying : How Accommodations Create New Value for Cities Speakers Young-Sun Beak CEO, Flying Whale Local Tourism: Traces of New Work Kirim Kim CEO, April’s Moby Dic Local Sustainability and Innovation Dong-Hyeok Son KBS Busan Regional Reporter and Youth MC MC 27 Speaker Speaker Speaker Panelist Panelist Panelist
DAY 2 DATE October 27 (Tue), 2026 ㅣ 10:50 -12:20 VENUE Capri Room, Paradise Hotel Busan (2F) CONTENT Presentations and discussions by domestic experts and representatives of tourism-related organizations from the five Central Asian countries PARTICIPANTS TOPIC LANGUAGE Approximately 100 participants, including regional tourism officials from the five Central Asian countries, experts from relevant domestic organizations, private-sector practitioners from travel agencies and airlines, Secretariat staff including Resident Fellows, and representatives from Central Asian and tourism-related organizations in Busan Regional Tourism Cooperation and Business Opportunities Linking Korea and Central Asia Korean (with simultaneous interpretation in Russian) 28 Special Session Ⅰ - KF Korea · Central Asia Cooperation Forum Forging New Connections Through Tourism: South Korea and Central Asia
DATE October 27 (Tue), 2026 ㅣ 09:00 -12:00 VENUE Panorama Room, Paradise Hotel Busan (16F) CONTENT Introduction of Tourism Resources and Content in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City, followed by G2B consultations and networking to discuss cooperation opportunities in the tourism sector PARTICIPANTS TOPIC LANGUAGE City delegates, tourism industry stakeholders from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and participants interested in the Vietnamese market Introduction to Tourism in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Exploration of Tourism Business Cooperation Opportunities English DATE October 27 (Tue), 2026 ㅣ 15:40 – 17:00 VENUE Capri Room, Paradise Hotel Busan (2F) CONTENT Presentation on the GSTC Destination Standard (GSTC-D) and its proposed revisions, followed by a Q&A session PARTICIPANTS TOPIC LANGUAGE Approximately 40 participants, including GSTC representatives and interested Summit attendees Discussion on the proposed revisions to the GSTC Destination Standard English Special Session II - GSTC Destination Workshop Special Session III - City Tourism Presentation Discussing Sustainable Tourism Standards in Urban Practice Connecting the city’s new possibilities through tourism
EXCHANGE & COOPERATION Bilateral Meetings October 26(Mon) - 27 (Tue) October 26(Mon) - 27 (Tue)Business Meetup Grand Ballroom (2F) Miami Room (2F) Capri Room (2F) Venice Room (2F) Sicily Room (1F) Panorama Room(16F)
EXCHANGE & COOPERATION 32 DATE October 26 (Mon) – 27 (Tue), 2026 VENUE Venice and Miami Rooms, Paradise Hotel Busan (2F) PARTICIPANTS City delegations (pre-registered) LANGUAGE Participating Cities and Companies Discussions on mutual cooperation and key issues such as tourism and cultural exchange between cities, and investment consultations between global companies and cities English (Consecutive and escort interpretation can be provided upon request) · Busan · Gimhae · Ulsan · Geoje · Gyeongsangnam-do · Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City · Hyuga City · Wakayama Prefecture · San Salvador Centro · Colombo · Machupicchu · Aqaba (ASEZA) · Kampar · Kota Bharu · Agoda · HANATOUR · Mastercard · Taiping · Manjung · Kota Kinabalu · Ipoh · Victoria · Lusaka · Los Angeles · Sanya · Ho Chi Minh City · Hue · Kaohsiung · Samarkand · Bishkek · Ashgabat · Umnugovi Province · Cultural Heritage Creativity Lab (CHL) · Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) CONTENT Bilateral Meetings Discussions on cooperation and exchange between cities and companies
33 DATE October 26 (Mon) – 27 (Tue), 2026 VENUE Sicily Room, Paradise Hotel Busan (1F) PARTICIPANTS Companies or organizations pre-registered through the official website CONTENT Participating Companies and Organizations Tourism Startup–Investor–OTA, City-Tourism Companies 1:1 Business Meet-up Reverse Pitching Session for Startups to Propose Solutions that Meet the Needs of Major Companies by Presenting Required Technologies and Areas for Collaboration · Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) · Sanya Tourism Board · Scaleup Ventures · KRYPTON · BUSAN UNITED HOLDINGS (BUH) · TUI Group · SERIES VENTURES · Frip · Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency · BUSAN TORISM ORGANIZATION · GKL (SEVENLUCK CASINO) · Klook · Alibaba · Trip.com Group · kkday · HANATOUR Business Meetup Identifying business and cooperation opportunities in the tourism sector
SIDE EVENTS Global City Tourism Roadshow October 27(Tue) October 28 (Wed)Familiarization Tour
SIDE EVENTS 36 DATE October 27 (Tue), 2026 | 11:00 – 17:00 VENUE Gunam-ro, Haeundae, Busan PARTICIPANTS Overseas government and affiliated organizations from major tourism cities, and general participants PROGRAM Promotion Booths & Exhibitions by Global Cities, Photo Zone, and Performance · Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Korea · Ho Chi Minh City · Dong-gu, Ulsan · Ulju-gun, Ulsan · Hyuga City · Embassy of Greece in the Republic of Korea · Hue · Busan Tourism Promotion Center (Busan Tourism Organization) · Dong-gu, Busan · Sanya Tourism Board · Korea · Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat · Gunsan · Alliance Française de Busan · Gimhae List of Booth Participants Global City Tourism Roadshow Expansion of tourism exchanges and networks among global cities
EMAIL WEBSITE QR Homepage Pre-registration gctsbusan@gmail.com www.gctsbusan.org DATE October 28 (Wed), 2026 | 09:00 – 18:00 (Time varies by course) TOUR COURSE Busan Marine Tour (Dadaepo Beach / Busan Museum of Contemporary Art Biennale) Ulsan Industrial Tour ( Petroglyphs of Bangudae Terrace / Hyundai Motor Ulsan Plant / Fe01 Upcycled Complex Cultural Space) Gimhae Cultural Experience (Ancient Tombs in Daeseong-dong, Gimhae and Museum of the Ancient Tombs in Daseong-dong / Tomb of King Suro and Gimhae Hanok Experience Center / Gimhae Gaya History Park) PARTICIPANTS Approximately 25 city delegates and invited guests per tour course CONTENT Tailored Themed Tour Programs 37 CONTACT POINT Official Instagram Account Familiarization Tour Discovering the Unique Tourism Assets and Local Charm of Busan, Ulsan, and Gimhae