Tourexpi
According to UN Tourism’s data, the sector is
experiencing a rapid recovery in Asia and the Pacific, with arrivals reaching
82% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2024, boosted by the
re-opening of many destinations throughout 2023. Now, with full recovery on the
horizon, the latest joint meeting of UN Tourism’s Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (CAP) and its Commission of South Asia (CSA), focused on the challenges
and opportunities for creating a positive and lasting transformation.
Guiding transformation and building resilience
The 36th meeting of the CAP-CSA welcomed more than
130 delegates from 25 countries and territories. All Members were provided with
a comprehensive overview of UN Tourism’s work and achievements since the last
meeting, with key priorities then presented for the years ahead.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili
said: “As our data shows, tourism’s recovery is close to complete here in Asia
and Pacific. We worked together to face the crisis head on. And now we must
work together to focus on our priorities for the future. That means supporting
education, driving investments into our sector and further strengthening the
ties between public and private to build resilience and advance sustainability
and inclusive growth.”
Education the top-level tourism priority
Reflecting the high-level support given to tourism
and to UN Tourism’s mission to guide the sector forward, Commission host the
Philippines was represented by President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, at the meeting.
In his opening remarks President Marcos commended UN Tourism’s focus on
education and training for the sector and stressed his commitment to wider
sustainability efforts. “Education is always going to make any industry better
and certainly tourism is no different,” President Marcos said. “We need to raise
the standards and practices in this crucial sector by investing in education,
training, and skills upgrading of all the personnel who are working in this
industry.”
Emphasising his Government’s recognition of the
importance of education, President Ferdinand Marcos expressed interest in
opening a new Academy in Collaboration with UN Tourism in the Philippines. The
institution would add to UN Tourism’s growing network of Academies, with
education centres focusing on the specific needs of regions or on key skills
needed for the future of tourism.
Resilience via green transformation
Within the framework of the joint Commission
meeting, Member States in the region tabled a thematic discussion on product
development emphasizing the need for green transformation to enhance the
tourism sector’s competitiveness, while bolstering its resilience through the
promotion of innovative and green solutions.
Untapping Gastronomy Tourism’s Potential
In Cebu, the spotlight was put on gastronomy
tourism as one of the sure routes to progress product diversification to add
value to the sector and accelerate recovery in the region. Here, UN
Tourism hosted its first Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the
Pacific, connecting public and private sector leaders with top entrepreneurs
and leading chefs from the region and beyond. Discussions concluded with the
Cebu Call to Action on Gastronomy Tourism, urging public and private leaders to
integrate gastronomy tourism into policy, foster cross-sector cooperation,
namely with agriculture and creative industries, support small businesses, and
promote sustainable practices.
Secretary-General Polikashvili challenged tourism
players to further capitalize on the region’s growing reputation as both a
destination and leader in the field of gastronomy tourism. “My proposal is to
leave a legacy… to create something an education center or gastronomic center
here in Cebu,” he said.
Looking ahead to Indonesia
The meetings concluded with Members agreeing to
accept Indonesia’s offer to host the 37th Joint Meeting of UN Tourism’s 2 Asian
Commissions in 2025. The exact dates will be confirmed in due course.
Image Credit:
© UN Tourism
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