Connecting global and regional institutions, government ministries, diplomatic missions, and tourism leaders through strategic programme development, transparent speaker engagement, and international cooperation.
18 October 2026 | Hämeenlinna, Finland
As preparations advance for the Global Tourism Forum (GTF) Annual Meeting 2026, taking place on 9–10 November at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels, GapEdu – Global Consultancy on Development Policy & Practice continues to contribute to international tourism cooperation through the active leadership and engagement of its Founding Board, whose members also serve on the Executive Board of the World Tourism Forum Institute (WTFI).
Under the theme “Investment and Security,” the Forum will bring together government representatives, diplomatic missions, international institutions, investors, and tourism industry leaders to address key priorities shaping the future of global tourism.
GapEdu’s contribution to the preparations reflects its commitment to connecting development policy with practical implementation through diplomatic engagement, strategic programme development, high-level speaker outreach, and international stakeholder cooperation.
Strengthening Global, Regional, and National Connections
International tourism development requires cooperation across different levels of governance, from global markets and regional institutions to national ministries and diplomatic missions.
Through the direct international engagement of Hanni Tran, Founder of GapEdu and Executive Board Member of the World Tourism Forum Institute, connections have been facilitated with high-level government and institutional representatives as part of the preparations for Brussels 2026.
These engagements include China, one of the world’s most influential tourism markets, and Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), reflecting the importance of Asia and Southeast Asia in international tourism cooperation.
At the regional diplomatic level, engagement has also extended to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), through its diplomatic representation to the European Union in Brussels, reinforcing dialogue between regional institutions and international tourism stakeholders.
At the national level, further coordination has involved the relevant government ministries and diplomatic missions of Zambia, Kenya, Jordan, and Equatorial Guinea, supporting their engagement with the Forum and its international programme.
These efforts demonstrate the importance of respecting diplomatic protocols, understanding national development priorities, and recognising the distinct institutional perspectives that different countries and regions bring to international dialogue.
For GapEdu, meaningful international engagement is not defined by the prominence of a country or institution alone. It is built upon mutual respect, institutional understanding, and the identification of shared development opportunities.
Contributing to Programme Concepts and Strategic Content
Beyond international outreach, GapEdu’s Founding Board has contributed to the development of programme concept notes, thematic discussions, and speaker engagement for the Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2026.
This contribution includes identifying relevant policy and industry issues, supporting the development of discussion themes, and connecting appropriate institutional expertise with the Forum’s programme.
Under the overarching theme of Investment and Security, the programme addresses tourism investment readiness, hospitality and destination development, infrastructure and connectivity, blended finance, secure and seamless borders, cybersecurity, crisis management, and tourism resilience.
These discussions reflect the growing relationship between economic development, institutional confidence, security, and international mobility.
Through its involvement, GapEdu seeks to support a programme that moves beyond general policy statements and encourages practical dialogue on how tourism development priorities can be translated into investment opportunities, stronger institutional cooperation, and sustainable outcomes.
Transparency and Balance in International Speaker Selection
A central principle guiding GapEdu’s contribution is the importance of transparent, context-sensitive, and balanced speaker selection and allocation.
The quality of an international forum depends not only on the seniority or visibility of its speakers, but also on their expertise, institutional responsibilities, the development contexts they represent, and their relevance to the subjects being discussed.
For GapEdu, speaker allocation should recognise the diversity of national experiences while encouraging constructive dialogue among representatives of different countries, institutions, and sectors.
Hanni Tran, Founder of GapEdu and Executive Board Member of the World Tourism Forum Institute, shares her perspective:
“I believe the quality of an international forum begins with transparency in speaker selection and allocation. We should look beyond the size or influence of a country and consider its development context, institutional perspective, and the value it brings to a shared discussion.
Every country has a voice. Our responsibility is to create balanced and meaningful dialogue, where different national experiences complement rather than compete with one another.
Tourism should bring nations closer, not divide them. It should help build peace, mutual understanding, and more seamless connections across borders. This is the harmony of tourism development I believe we should work towards — tourism for all, through cooperation, respect, and shared opportunity.”
This philosophy highlights the importance of professional relevance, institutional balance, and mutual respect in creating meaningful international discussions.
It also reflects GapEdu’s belief that the development challenges and opportunities of countries should be understood within their respective economic, institutional, and regional contexts.
Bringing the Right Speakers and International Audiences Together
In addition to programme development, GapEdu’s Founding Board has actively contributed to identifying, approaching, and engaging prospective speakers and participants from government institutions, diplomatic missions, international organisations, tourism authorities, investment stakeholders, and the private sector.
This work includes facilitating communication with relevant institutions, supporting high-level invitations, aligning speaker expertise with programme themes, and encouraging participation from international stakeholders whose perspectives can enrich the Forum’s discussions.
Equally important is the engagement of an international audience that brings together different areas of expertise and decision-making responsibility.
For GapEdu, a successful international forum should not be measured solely by the number of speakers or participants.
Its quality should also be reflected in the relevance of its themes, the transparency of its programme, the diversity and complementarity of its participants, and the opportunities for meaningful cooperation that follow.
The objective is to bring together the right institutions, the right expertise, and the right perspectives around shared development priorities.
Tourism as a Bridge for Peace, Connectivity, and Shared Development
Tourism has a distinctive ability to connect people, cultures, economies, and institutions across national boundaries.
Yet its contribution to international understanding and economic development depends on supportive policies, institutional trust, accessible connectivity, secure mobility, and constructive relationships between countries.
For GapEdu, the principles of tourism diplomacy extend beyond formal meetings and international representation.
They include promoting mutual understanding, reducing unnecessary barriers to travel, encouraging secure and seamless cross-border mobility, and recognising tourism as a positive contributor to peace and shared prosperity.
This approach is particularly relevant in an increasingly complex international environment, where tourism development is influenced by geopolitical uncertainty, investment confidence, security considerations, and changing patterns of global mobility.
By encouraging balanced international dialogue, GapEdu seeks to contribute to a tourism development environment in which countries can learn from one another, respect their differences, and identify opportunities for common progress.
From Diplomatic Dialogue to Development Partnerships
GapEdu’s contribution to the preparations for Brussels 2026 reflects its three strategic pillars:
Tourism Development & Policy Implementation
Supporting the connection between national and institutional development priorities, policy frameworks, and practical implementation approaches.
Market Access & Growth
Facilitating international connections and market opportunities for destinations, tourism businesses, and institutions seeking sustainable growth.
Strategic Partnerships & Investment Facilitation
Connecting government institutions, international organisations, investors, and industry stakeholders to explore opportunities for cooperation and development.
Together, these pillars reflect GapEdu’s approach to bridging development policy and on-the-ground practice.
The preparations for the Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2026 demonstrate how international relationships, policy understanding, strategic programme development, and stakeholder engagement can contribute to a common development platform.
As Brussels 2026 approaches, GapEdu looks forward to continuing its contribution alongside the World Tourism Forum Institute and international counterparts, with a shared commitment to constructive dialogue and meaningful international cooperation.
Because the true value of international tourism cooperation is not measured simply by who sits at the table, but by how respectfully different perspectives are brought together — and what meaningful development can follow.
About GapEdu
GapEdu – Global Consultancy on Development Policy & Practice is a Finland-based international consultancy working at the intersection of tourism development, policy implementation, market access, strategic partnerships, and investment facilitation.
Through its integrated approach to policy and practice, GapEdu supports governments, institutions, destinations, and businesses in connecting development ambitions with practical opportunities for sustainable growth.
Website: https://gapedu.net