Asia-Pacific countries focus on restart of tourism
Travel Biz News —-
Tourism leaders of Asia-Pacific countries have stressed on coordination of policy measures and strategies to accelerate the recovery of tourism activities in the region.
The Asia- Pacific countries met to plan the sector’s restart and recovery even as borders remain closed throughout the region during 33rd Joint meeting of the World Tourism Organization’s Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and its Commission for South Asia on Tuesday (14 September).
With UNWTO data also showing that this region continues to have the largest proportion of destinations closed to tourists, the member states taking part, in the virtual meetings, discussed on phased lifting on travel restrictions and the introduction of travel corridors.
They also agreed on upgrading the skills of the tourism labour force, as well as embracing innovation and digital transformation.
“With the right policy measures and strong coordination, destinations can start safely welcoming back international visitors, thereby allowing tourism to deliver on its potential as a driver of recovery and inclusive growth,” read a statement issued by UNWTO.
The meetings attracted around 120 participants from 25 of UNWTO’s 29 Member States in the region under the chairmanship of Malaysia and the Maldives.
The tourism sector of Asia and the Pacific has been hardest hit due to COVID pandemic, recording a 95 per cent fall in international arrivals in the first five months of 2021
Elections ahead of General Assembly
Ahead of the 24th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly (30 November – 3 December 2021, Marrakesh, Morocco) the meeting concluded with elections and nominations for positions within key UNWTO bodies.
India and Iran were nominated to represent South Asia on the UNWTO Executive Council; Cambodia and Maldives were nominated to represent the region as Vice-Presidents of the 24th General Assembly, while Samoa and Bhutan will serve the members on the Credentials Committee.
Malaysia and the Maldives were nominated as Chairpersons to serve their Commissions for a second term, with Fiji and Japan appointed to play the role of Vice-Chairs for the Commission for East Asia and the Pacific, while Bangladesh and Iran will serve as Vice-Chairs for the Commission for South Asia.
Similarly, Maldives was nominated as the venue for the next Joint Meeting of the two Commissions (CAP and CSA) in 2022, and Indonesia was endorsed as the host of World Tourism Day 2022.
Sept 16 , 2021
