Vang Vieng, Lao PDR

Thailand Successfully Hosted the 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting in August 2022

Tourism Ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) countries convened in-person for the first time since 2018 at the 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting on 19 August 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Meeting was chaired by His Excellency Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand.

During the 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, participants discussed the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global tourism sector, APEC’s cooperation guidelines to accelerate tourism recovery, and the role of the tourism sector in promoting the well-being of the people in the region. The Meeting commended the APEC Tourism Working Group for its efforts towards implementing various activities and initiatives under the APEC Tourism Strategic Plan 2020 – 2024, which focuses on four pillars: digital transformation, human capital development, travel facilitation and competitiveness, and sustainable tourism and economic growth.

The Meeting also reached a consensus for two documents including the “Policy Recommendations on Tourism of the Future: Regenerative Tourism”, which reflects the concerted enthusiasm of all APEC Economies in pursuit of a strong, balanced, secure, sustainable, and inclusive growth, outlined in the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040; and the “Updated APEC Guidelines for Tourism Stakeholders” that aims to improve cooperation and coordination mechanisms across all APEC economies to optimize the benefits of tourism based on the core values of sustainability, inclusivity, respect, responsibility, openness, innovation and partnership.

“Significant new uncertainties and challenges have heightened the need to harness our cooperation and advance work on sustainable tourism, to achieve our vision of an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040,” according to the Chair’s Statement that was issued after the Meeting.

Prior to the Ministerial Meeting, several joint meetings and activities took place from 14 – 18 August, including the 60th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting that focused on the regenerative tourism concept, followed by two technical visits featuring Bangkok’s historic Talat Noi neighborhood, and Nakhon Pathom’s Sampran model showcasing successful community-based ecotourism. The series of events attracted approximately 200 delegates, which then concluded with a delightful Thai-themed gala dinner at the spectacular landmark of Nai Lert Park Heritage Home.

“The gala dinner for the APEC delegates was purposely designed to showcase the kingdom’s soft-power foundations in the forms of Thai arts and culture, and the Regenerative Tourism concept that is leading Thailand’s tourism resurgence and in line with the Royal Thai Government’s Bio-Circular-Green or BCG Economy Model that conforms to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs,” said H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand.

Sources: TAT News

All photos courtesy of Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Share It:

Other News

0L3zSqUV

WWF Greater Mekong’s Jedsada Taweekan: “Sustainability is no longer a niche topic”

Fresh off the relaunch of the Travel Ivory Free Campaign in Bangkok, Thailand last...
Read More
Golden Rock of Myanmar

Yangon Getaways: from Myanmar’s Metropolis to Countryside Culture and Nature

The former national capital of Myanmar exerts a gravitational pull all its own, with...
Read More