Representatives of member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met up with their counterparts from China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea at the 48th ASEAN Plus Three National Tourism Organisations Meeting on Tuesday, 27th January.
Held at the Nustar Hotel Cebu, this year’s meeting cast the spotlight on the growing impact of cooperation between ASEAN member states and their Northeast Asian partners on regional tourism.
The 48th ASEAN Plus Three National Tourism Organizations meeting is part of the ASEAN Tourism Forum, which aims to strengthen ASEAN Plus Three tourism cooperation and support the sector’s continued recovery and growth.
Hironobu Nara, deputy commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency, chaired the meeting which was attended by tourism officials from ASEAN member states, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
Collaboration is key
Verna C Buensuceso, undersecretary at the Philippine Department of Tourism and head of the Philippine National Tourism Organization, underscored the value of sustained tourism collaboration among the participating countries.
She declared in her opening remarks: “Our partnership is not just a collaboration. It is a vital alliance that highlights the profound role of tourism as a catalyst for unity and mutual prosperity.”
The undersecretary further urged member states to use the meeting to reinforce their commitment to tourism cooperation and to protect and promote the region’s cultural heritage and natural assets.
North Asian travellers boost tourism recovery in Southeast Asia
Buensuceso reported that consistent growth in terms of visitor arrivals from China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea throughout 2024 was instrumental to Southeast Asian tourism’s post-pandemic recovery.
As of end-2024, ASEAN member-states welcomed over 20 million arrivals from China, more than nine million from the Republic of Korea, as well as three million from Japan.
Buensuceso added that tourism remains one of the most dynamic sectors driving the ASEAN economy, as well as a key towards cultural interaction and interregional diplomacy.
Central to this cooperation is the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Cooperation Work Plan, an important framework for dialogue and joint action.
It was pointed out that the work plan has helped member-states address shared challenges, enabling them to take advantage of the sector’s emerging opportunities.
Buensuceso also acknowledged the contributions of the ASEAN-China Center, ASEAN-Japan Center, and ASEAN-Korea Center in advancing common tourism goals across the region.
Looking ahead, she called for a tourism sector that is not only competitive, but also resilient and inclusive.
She concluded by saying: “By strengthening our partnerships, we can champion cultural exchange and foster innovation in travel experiences, thereby enhancing the appeal of our destinations to travelers from every corner of the globe.”
