By Linda Khoo Hui Li
BANGKOK, Aug 20 (NNN-Bernama) — The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies need to harness cooperation on sustainable tourism to achieve its vision of an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040.
In a statement issued after the 2022 APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting (TMM) here, Thailand as the chair had underscored that the opportunity to build a better and more resilient future in the tourism industry continues to be the region’s main endeavour.
“Significant new uncertainties and challenges have heightened the need to harness our cooperation and advance work on sustainable tourism.
“We will continue to convene inclusive dialogues amongst sustainability champions, and to reflect on the pathways and progress towards rebuilding a stronger and more resilient tourism sector,” read the chair’s statement.
“Our dialogue canvasses the existing challenges that have been exacerbated by COVID-19. Together we will work to rebuild tourism for the future,” it added.
The statement added that APEC economies welcomed the “Policy Recommendations for Tourism of the Future: Regenerative Tourism” which reflects the concerted enthusiasm of all economies in pursuit of a strong, balanced, secure, sustainable, and inclusive growth, outlined in the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040.
“The policy recommendations may serve as guidance for APEC Economies to develop tourism as a key driver to enhance the multi-faceted well-being of the APEC population as a whole,” it said.
APEC Tourism Ministers and senior representatives attended the 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting (TMM) in Bangkok on Friday.
The meeting was chaired by Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, Phiphat said APEC economies are coordinating their policies to revive the tourism and travel industry in the region so it is safe, sustainable, responsible and inclusive.
He said the global tourism industry has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“All relevant departments are working tirelessly for a swift and health recovery as we believe that the lowest point of the economic crisis from COVID-19 is behind us and our economies are starting to get back on track and move towards more positive territory,” he said.
According to World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the travel and tourism industry contributed to almost 11 per cent to the total employment in the region by providing around 162 million jobs in 2019. This number dipped during the height of the pandemic, accounting for just 131 million jobs in 2020 and 138.7 million jobs in 2021.
— NNN-BERNAMA