APEC Leaders commit to developing sustainable tourism

The Da Nang Declaration "Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future" reaffirms APEC Leaders' long-standing commitment to APEC's mission of supporting sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific. Recognizing the significant challenges the region's economies face, the Leaders pledge to work together and take the following actions: (i) Promote Innovative Growth, Inclusion and Sustainable Employment; (ii) Create New Drivers for Regional Economic Integration; (iii) Strengthen the Capacity and Innovation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; (iv) EnhanceFood Security and Sustainable Agriculture in Response to Climate Change; and (v) Foster a Shared Future.

In regards to tourism, APEC Leaders "commit to promote sustainable tourism, and explore its potential for development in remote areas as an important part of APEC economic growth strategies andenhancedpeople-to-people connectivity. We are determined to reach the target of 800 millionAPECtourist arrivals by 2025".

The statement showed determination and vision of APEC Leaders about the special role of tourism and the importance of sustainable tourism development. The leaders considered tourism as a part of APEC economic growth strategies, which would be a great signal for tourism to contribute more to economic growth of APEC and Viet Nam in particular.

That sustainable tourism development was integrated into the Da Nang Declaration proved strong commitment of APEC Leaders, being a success of the tourism industry of Viet Nam after hosting the APEC High-level Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Tourism on 19 June 2017 in Ha Long, Quang Ninh. At the Dialogue, APEC's tourism ministers and senior representatives agreed to adopt the APEC High-level Statement on "Promoting Sustainable Tourism for an Inclusive and Interconnected Asia-Pacific". Furthermore, all the delegates agreed to seek APEC Leaders' consideration to include in their 2017 Declaration a statement on the importance of sustainable tourism as a driver for regional economic integration, sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia - Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is the Asia Pacific's premier economic forum. Theprimary goal is to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC includes 21 member economies, representing 39% of the world's population, 57% of its GDP, and 49% of global trade. APEC is a vital source market of Viet Nam tourism, occupying 80% of total international visitors to Viet Nam.

Notably, the 29^th APEC Ministerial Meeting held on 8 November in Da Nang also issued a Joint Ministerial Statement. Accordingly, the Ministers "appreciate the outcomes of the High-level Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Tourism. We underscore the importance of strengthening cooperation to facilitate sustainable tourism development and to highlight best practice in measurement and monitoring methodologies to enhance sustainable tourism. This helps with conserving and managing natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystems and built and living cultural heritages, and adapting to and capitalizing on new technologies to develop tourism and promote cultural exchange. In turn, this connects people in the APEC region and brings social, financial and economic integration of remote areas".

(Source: Truyen Phuong/VietnamTourism Gov)