ITOP Events

ITOP Forum 2026

ITOP Forum 2026

Event

The 27th Inter-Island Tourism Policy (ITOP) Forum

Overview

A high-level island policy summit bridging together leaders and experts to discuss sustainable growth of island destinations, and business collaboration.

Date

October 28 (Wed.) - 30 (Fri.), 2026

Venue

Seolmundae Exhibition Hall, Jeju Stone Park, Republic of Korea

Host/Organizer

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province / Jeju Tourism Organization (ITOP Secretariat)

Theme

BEYOND ISLANDS: Empowering the Innovative Future Through Tourism
  ㆍA declarative theme that seeks to redefine the status of islands beyond their spatial limitations as tourism destinations, positioning islands as leading actors in global innovation and future industries.
  ㆍ This year, the islands around the world unite at the forefront of climate crisis response and sustainable development to lead concrete action and change on global challenges through tourism.

ITOP poster

Overall Forum Schedule (Tentative) ※As of September 18, 2026

Oct 28 (Wed.) Oct 29 (Thu.) Oct 30 (Fri.)
Morning


Opening Ceremony (09:30-10:20)


World Island Festival Performance (10:30-11:20)
Lunch ITOP Heads of Delegation (HoD) Field Trip
(including lunch)
(11:50-16:00)		 Lunch & World Island Festival Experience
(11:30-13:00)		 ITOP Island Travel Mart
(09:00-17:00)
(B2B)		 Field Trip
(09:00-15:00)
*For all participants
Afternoon ITOP Leaders Roundtable
(15:00-17:30)
(Jeju Stone Park)		 Global Island Tourism Policy Forum
(13:30-17:00)
Evening Welcome Dinner
(18:30-20:00)
(Heritage Jeju)		 Gala Dinner
(18:00-20:00) (Jeju Folk Village)






Detailed Programs

1) Wednesday, October 28

(1) ITOP Leaders Roundtable (15:00-17:30)

  • VenueSeolmundae Exhibition Hall
  • Background and Purpose - A high-level meeting to establish the future vision of the ITOP Forum and lead global island policies - A platform for policy discussions on joint cooperation projects with international UN Tourism
  • ParticipantsHeads of ITOP Delegations(12), ITOP Secretariat(1), UN Tourism (1)

2) Thursday, October 29

(3) Opening Ceremony (09:30-10:20)

  • VenueSeolmundae Exhibition Hall (Prologue)
  • ParticipantsApproximately 300 people (all ITOP Forum participants)

(4) ITOP Heads of Delegation (HoD) Field Trip (11:50-16:00)

  • ParticipantsHeads of Delegation from ITOP member regions
  • PurposeTo share Jeju’s future values and best practices through a field visit to Jeju’s sustainable energy policy sites and a premium culinary dining experience based on Haenyeo culture.

(5) Global Island Tourism Policy Forum (13:30-17:00)

  • VenueSeolmundae Exhibition Hall (Prologue & Special Seminar Room)
  • ParticipantsApproximately 200 people (all ITOP Forum participants)
  • ProgramA comprehensive forum consisting of sessions for sharing administrative and policy practices for sustainable island tourism development, deriving tourism insights based on big data from global OTAs, and seeking customized policy solutions for member regions in response to the climate crisis.

[Detailed Session Information]

Session 1: Our Shared Promise for Sustainable Islands

  • - Date / VenueOctober 29 (Thu.), 13:30-14:30 (60 min.) / Prologue
  • - Main ContentSharing specific roles and actual administrative/policy practices of international organizations and new ITOP members (Galapagos, South Aegean) in pursuing and implementing sustainable tourism

Session 2: A New Paradigm in Island Tourism: Secrets to Booming Island Destinations

  • - Date / VenueOctober 29 (Thu.), 14:30-15:20 (50 min.) / Prologue
  • - Main Content · Global island tourism trends and changes in search and booking patterns based on data · Successful cases of joint marketing between global platforms and island local governments, including off-season specialized promotions utilizing seasonal demand data, visitor dispersion marketing, and successful cases of attracting target visitors through new direct flight routes

Sub Program: Islands Connect(MICE) Annual Meeting

  • - Date/Venue : October 29 (Thu.), 13:30 - 14:30 (60 min.) / Seolmundae Exhibition Hall, Special Seminar Room
  • - Format : General Meeting
  • - Participants : Islands Connect members
  • - Details : To be determined
  • - Special Note : Chaired by the MICE Bureau of Jeju Tourism Organization

Session 3: Future of Island Tourism Policy: Navigating Climate Change

  • - Date / VenueOctober 29 (Thu.), 15:00-16:30 (90 min.) / Seolmundae Exhibition Hall, Special Seminar Room
  • - Main ContentBased on actual cases from ITOP member regions, small-group discussions to identify different forms of climate-related crises faced by island regions and seek and share diverse, field-specific policy response systems

(6) ITOP Island Travel Mart
(09:00-17:00)

  • VenueExhibition Hall, Seolmundae Exhibition Hall
  • Participants Approximately 80 people ※ 30 sellers from tourism industry companies in ITOP member regions and approximately 30 buyers
  • Format1:1 business meetings between tourism industry companies(sellers) from ITOP member regions and buyers
  • Program (First introduced by ITOP) ※ In cooperation with PATA - A B2B business meeting aimed at promoting practical tourism industry exchange and business development among island regions, moving beyond the existing exchanges centered on policies itself

3) Friday, October 30

(9) Field Trip (09:00-15:00)

  • ParticipantsApprox. 80 people (ITOP member regions, international organizations, B2B program participants, etc.)
  • ContentThematic courses covering oreum, marine resources, culture (UNESCO), villages, gastronomy, etc.