Tourism

The APEC Tourism Working Group (TWG) was formed in 1991 as a platform for tourism administrators of APEC economies to share information, exchange views and develop areas of cooperation in tourism, trade and policies to support growth in the region through travel and tourism.

The APEC Tourism Working Group (TWG) was formed in 1991 as a platform for tourism administrators of APEC economies to share information, exchange views and develop areas of cooperation in tourism, trade and policies to support growth in the region through travel and tourism.

The tourism sector is one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in the world. Although it was severely impacted by the pandemic, it is now recovering rapidly and showing signs of becoming stronger than ever. The total number of global tourist arrivals achieved a record high in 2024 at 1.46 billion people, returning to pre-Covid level. The Asia-Pacific region recorded the highest growth in terms of tourist arrivals and tourism receipts:

• 317.54 million international tourist arrivals in 2024 – up 34 per cent compared to the previous year and accounting for 21.7 per cent of global tourism arrivals.
• USD422.9billion in receipts in 2024 – up 24 per cent compared to the previous year and accounting for 20.6 per cent of global tourism receipts.

In 2025, the TWG endorsed its APEC TWG Strategic Plan 2025-2029, covering four priority areas with the following objectives:

1. Digital transformation: Facilitate the uptake of digital and innovative technologies, including digital platforms, across the travel and tourism supply chain to meet and exceed visitor expectations, increase competitiveness, and expand the benefits of travel and tourism to the entire community.
2. Human capital development: Support the development of skills and capabilities (including digital literacy) of employers and employees to deliver high quality visitor experiences and create career pathways.
3. Travel facilitation and competitiveness: Support the strengthening of transport connectivity to meet visitor demand and enhance regional access; work with relevant authorities to provide secure, efficient and positive visitor experiences at entry and exit.
4. Sustainable tourism and economic growth
• Communicate the importance of travel and tourism as an economic driver in APEC economies; and promote better understanding and recognition of travel and tourism as an engine for growth in the APEC region.
• Maximize the travel and tourism sector’s contribution to employment, economic growth, environmental protection and resilience, cultural and natural heritage preservation and inclusiveness to create economic and social benefits for all, including MSMEs, women, Indigenous Peoples as appropriate, people with disabilities and those from remote and rural communities, as well as formal growth.

Last page update: September 2025

Contacts

Current Activities

TWG65 Plenary Meeting

The TWG65 Plenary Meeting was held on 28 - 31 July 2025 within SOM3 cluster in Incheon, Korea.

TWG members are committed to promoting sustainable growth and broad tourism development in the APEC region. Members shared their best practices both individual and collective actions, foster a collaborative environment and move towards a shared understanding of how actions by TWG members can contribute to common goals. In terms of administrative matters, TWG discussed about the development of Terms of Reference and officially endorsed the Strategic Plan 2025 - 2029 to set the action priorities in the upcoming years. The Matrix, annexed with the Strategic Plan, will serve as a tracking tool for TWG to assess the TSP implementation progress.

The meeting had the participation of other external stakeholders, including the OECD, Tourism Promotion Organisation for Global Cities, World Tourism and Travel Council, World Tourism Alliance, Colombia, Macao, China, and Booking.com.

TWG66 Plenary Meeting

The TWG66 Plenary Meeting will be held on 14 - 16 October 2025 in Qingdao, China.

Publications in 2025

1. Impact of Creative Economies on the Future of Tourism in the APEC Region | APEC
2. Identification and Analysis of Guidelines Implemented for the Development of the Meetings Industry in the APEC Region | APEC
3. Study to Generate Digital Tools for the Transition to Formal Economy of Tourism Businesses in the Asia-Pacific Region | APEC
4. Emissions Reduction in Tourism for the Protection of Natural and Cultural Heritage | APEC
5. The Handbook on Sustainable Tourism Management in Conservation, Fragile and Protected Areas | APEC