The ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) participated in the 25th Meeting of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers on 19 January.

※ Cambodia, as the Chair country, maintained to be the host of the meeting (ATF 2021 and 2022). The meeting was held in a hybrid format (offline and online), and AKC participated in the virtual session for the ‘Meeting with External Entities’.

Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, the meeting was held in Sihanoukville under the theme of “Responsibly Reopening Tourism”. The meeting provided a platform to share information, exchange ideas and discuss ASEAN-wide tourism policies and strategies, especially those that will facilitate the reopening and reinvigorating of ASEAN tourism after COVID-19.

The AKC was officially invited to the meeting to make presentations on the activities of FY2021 and planned programs for FY2022. The AKC emphasized that it will continue its efforts to invigorate cultural exchanges and support the development of reopening ASEAN tourism after COVID-19, by aligning its programs with ASEAN tourism priorities and enhancing its contactless activities, such as online seminars, and adopt hybrid format utilizing various medium both offline and online.

The ASEAN Ministers expressed their appreciation for AKC in continuing its effort to promote and enhance cultural conversation and tourism exchanges between ASEAN and Korea despite the difficult circumstances of COVID-19, while they looked forward to AKC’s future activities.

Throughout the meeting, the AKC was further updated on the latest developments and issues related to ASEAN tourism, and strengthening its network with tourism stakeholders (UNWTO, ERIA, ASEANTA, PATA, US-ASEAN Business Council) of ASEAN and global.