Tourexpi
Empowering Innovation and Inclusion: UN Tourism Leads Global Dialogue at Expo 2025 Japan
Welcoming
around 28 million visitors from more than 150 countries, the Expo serves as a
leading global platform for ideas and solutions, with an emphasis on the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development. In Osaka, UN Tourism hosted two official
forums, uniting public and private sector leaders to focus on key priorities
for the sector.
UN
Tourism Director of Innovation, Education and Investment Antonio López De Ávila
Said: “At Expo 25, we are proud to show that tourism is more than a sector—it
is a catalyst for sustainable development, social inclusion, and tech
advancement. At UN Tourism, we are placing women’s talent at the heart of this
journey, supporting the creativity, leadership, and resilience of women across
the globe. We also prioritize investments. We work to ensure every dollar
invested contributes to a greener, fairer, and more resilient future.”
Women’s
empowerment in tourism
The
“Celebrating Female Founders Forum” (April 28) was dedicated to highlighting
female-led innovation, promoting inclusion in tourism technology, and
emphasizing the importance of mentorship networks. The event made clear the
critical role women play in the tech startup ecosystem, exploring strategies
for overcoming challenges and leveraging opportunities to create a more
inclusive and diverse tech industry.
The
programme featured opening remarks from representatives of the United Nations
at Expo 2025, the Japan Tourism Agency, and UN Tourism. A key panel gathered
senior female executives from leading travel groups, digital tourism platforms,
and international hospitality companies. The discussion explored how
innovation, inclusion, and strategic leadership are transforming the tourism
sector, with a particular focus on advancing diversity, equity, and market
access.
In
a vibrant pitching round, female founders from Japan (ByFood), Korea
(NomadHer), the United Arab Emirates (Xenios Academy), SAR, China (Shake to
Win), and the United States (Greether) presented forward-looking business
models, showcasing how women are connecting technology with sustainable growth
and social impact.
Investments
for the future
Between
2019 and 2024, the Asia-Pacific region attracted a total of 442 foreign direct
investment (FDI) projects in the tourism sector, with an estimated capital
expenditure of USD 37.55 billion. These investments resulted in over 77,000
direct jobs and involved 274 companies across various destinations. Japan
accounted for 33 FDI projects, totalling an investment of USD 2.57 billion.
Recognizing
this potential, UN Tourism hosted the “Global Tourism Investment Forum –
Co-creating Culture for the Future” (April 29). The forum emphasized on key
investment trends and strategies for sustainable, community-centred tourism
growth. As well as a “Fireside Chat” moderated by Nikkei Inc, platforming local
voices such as Kiraku Inc or a community led initiative from Vanuatu, a
high-level dialogue emphasized the role of investment as a driver of
sustainable and inclusive growth. The discussions benefitted from the
participation of private sector leaders, including executives from JTB, Kansai
Airports, Plug and Play Japan, Hyatt, Destination Capital and Dossen and guided
by Travel Voice Japan.
As
the Forum came to a close, participants were reminded that tourism investment
goes beyond infrastructure and capital—it is fundamentally about people,
culture, and long-term impact. From heritage-led models to innovation-driven
partnerships, the sessions demonstrated that shaping the future of tourism
demands vision, collaboration, and a shared commitment to inclusive and
sustainable development.
Image
Credit: © UN Tourism
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