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The 29th ASEAN Tourism Ministerial Meeting will focus on developing the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals and the ASEAN Sustainable and Resilient Tourism Investment Outlook. Annie Perez

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PH supports ASEAN recognition for tourism professionals, pushes for more investments in the region

Annie Perez

CEBU — Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the Philippines supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations  (ASEAN) in the mutual recognition arrangement on tourism professionals.Frasco, as chair of the ASEAN Tourism Forum, opened the 29th ASEAN Tourism Forum meeting of ministers. “When skills are recognized and standards are aligned, we elevate service quality, protect the dignity of workers, strengthen trust across our borders,” said Frasco.Another way for the ASEAN region to achieve its tourism goals is to mobilize investment. “The Philippines will advance the resilience tourism investment outlook. We need investment-ready projects, credible pipelines closed dialogue,” added Frasco.One of the areas discussed was boosting gastronomy tourism or using food as a marketing strategy, which is distinct among the member states. “It is our identity and livelihood — sustaining farmer/fisher artisans and small artisans,” Frasco further said.<div> </div><div>ASEAN TOURISM SECTORAL PLAN 2026-2030</div><div> </div>During the ASEAN Tourism Conference, the ministers launched the ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan 2026-2030. It is a framework for accessible and seamless travel while using digital tourism strategies. This plan is part of the region’s 2045 vision to become a “global leader in quality and high-value tourism”.ASEAN Secretariat Deputy Secretary General Satvinder Singh said that the tourism sector in the region generated over $400 billion or 9.4 percent of the gross domestic product.“It contributes millions of jobs. Our count is 42.5 million today,” Singh added. Singh also mentioned that there were 127 million international arrivals to Southeast Asia as of 2024. “ASEAN tourism now operates in an environment which is rapidly changing in globally landscape,” added Singh. The ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan has five focus areas in the plan: resilient tourism, empowerment of the tourism workforce, accessible and seamless travel, digital tourism and market diversification, and sustainability.Different ministers shared their experiences on how to further boost their tourism during the conference.As for the Philippines, Tourism Secretary Frasco shared digital strategies.“We partnered with digital platforms and banks,” she shared with the panel.Indonesian Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana shared the use of artificial intelligence.“Our [Indonesia.Travel website] is now equipped with AI-based travel planner and digital companion,” shared Wardhana.Other countries also shared strategies in entertainment tourism and nature tourism, among others.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said that the Philippines is supporting the ASEAN in the mutual recognition arrangement on tourism professionals.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said that the Philippines is supporting the ASEAN in the mutual recognition arrangement on tourism professionals.