Towards a more prosperous and sustainable tourism future

Approximately 50% of tourists visiting Peru come from APEC member countries.

The power of tourism in APEC countries is undeniable. Prior to the pandemic, the APEC region boasted the world’s largest tourism market, welcoming over 800 million international visitors and generating 8.3% of total GDP. While a strong recovery has been observed, the impact of the pandemic is still evident.

As APEC economies grapple with the ongoing tourism recovery, the APEC Tourism Working Group has identified two key priorities for 2024:

Firstly, it aims to foster innovation to help informal tourism businesses transition to the formal economy. It will directly support APEC 2024’s digitalisation focus through workshops examining digital tools and best practices, and contribute to the APEC roadmap for facilitating the transition to the formal and global economy.

Second, we are prioritizing inclusivity and sustainable development. Guided by Bangkok’s Bio-Circular Green Economy goals, we are looking at approaches towards reducing carbon emissions, promoting sustainable tourism management and empowering rural youth. This is fully aligned with APEC 2024’s focus on inclusive growth and sustainable development, and contributes to initiatives such as the APEC Principles on Preventing and Reducing Food Loss and Waste and the La Serena Roadmap for Women and Inclusive Growth. These efforts will help unlock the full potential of tourism towards a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future.

These priorities – innovation and inclusion – are woven into the fabric of our work.

Our combined expertise and passion will enable us to take great strides towards a more prosperous and sustainable tourism future in Asia Pacific.

We leverage digitalization, empower the workforce and support the transition to the formal economy. We integrate these themes with travel facilitation and sustainable tourism practices to deliver a truly holistic approach.

Working together, the Tourism Working Group will continue to implement projects that directly support the overarching objectives of the APEC Tourism Strategic Plan 2020-2024, and will also delve deeper into these areas by sharing best practices and identifying opportunities for collaboration in developing the next APEC Tourism Strategic Plan.

The breathtaking city of Cusco, with its rich cultural heritage and outstanding natural beauty, is a powerful reminder of the treasures that draw visitors to the APEC region. In fact, Machu Picchu, a World Heritage Site and major tourist destination, attracts approximately 50% of tourists from APEC member countries to Peru.

This underlines our responsibility to ensure that tourism contributes to preserving these wonders for future generations, setting an example of cooperation, sustainability and resilience.

With a spirit of cooperation and a shared vision, let us bring home beautiful memories of Peru and use this platform to maximize the tourism potential of the APEC region, boost economic growth, foster cultural exchange, and create a more sustainable future for all.

/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author may be out of date and has been edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take any organizational stance or position and all views, positions and conclusions expressed here are solely those of the authors. Read the full article here.



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