Bangkok, August 20, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, delivered a statement to the tourism ministers of the 21 APEC member countries reflecting the results of the APEC Tourism Ministers Meeting.

Minister Phiphat outlines the members' assessment of the tourism industry following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region, as well as initiatives for the short- and long-term revitalization and rehabilitation of the sector. His statement is entitled "Tourism of the Future: Regenerative Tourism".

At the meeting in Bangkok on Friday, the ministers approved a set of guidelines for rebuilding the tourism industry across the region through investment, job creation, human resource development, professional standards and support for small businesses.

The guidelines, which update recommendations from the pre-COVID-19 era, address the need to remove barriers that directly impact tourism and visitor flows in the region. They comprise seven guiding principles:

– Respect local resource owners, traditions, and culture – Promote sustainable and responsible tourism – Encourage information exchange and open dialogue – Strengthen human resource development, training, and professional standards for a stronger workforce, including people with disabilities – Utilize innovative technologies to improve economic, social, cultural, and environmental well-being and build partnerships – Identify synergies and leverage resources through public-private partnerships to promote tourism investment in the APEC region – Strengthen the resilience of tourism to be prepared for future crises

Read the updated APEC guidelines for stakeholders in the tourism sector.

The ministers looked beyond the recovery phase and focused on the long-term perspective. They agreed that the tourism of the future must contribute to all aspects of well-being – not only for travelers, but also for local businesses and their employees. They welcomed the introduction of the “Policy Recommendations for the Tourism of the Future: Regenerative Tourism.” These recommendations include concrete measures that member states can consider when shaping this next phase of the industry.

They envision a regenerative tourism that causes no harm but makes a positive contribution by promoting sustainable practices. The ministers want to build an industry that can respond to change and survive future crises.

Read the policy recommendations for the tourism of the future: Regenerative tourism

The results of the APEC Tourism Ministers' Meeting, as expressed in the Chairman's statement, show that tourism officials in the region are aware that those most affected by the current challenges and any disruptions that may occur in the future are the smallest players in the industry operating at the local level – such as small businesses and their predominantly female employees, who have been most affected by the pandemic.

Under the motto of the APEC summit 2022, “Open. Connecting. Balanced,” they envisioned an inclusive and sustainable future for tourism.

Peru, the chair state of APEC 2024, will host the next APEC Ministerial Meeting on Tourism.