The Meetings Industry will be in focus of the UNWTO Asia Pacific Executive Training Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy (Bali, Indonesia, 28 April - 1 May 2014).

The Meetings industry, one of the fundamental segments of the tourism sector, is widely recognized for its benefits to the broader economy as it generates on average a higher spending level, reduces tourism seasonality, while expanding knowledge and enhancing innovation and creativity.

In the light of increased globalization and the sustained expansion of the tourism sector, the importance of the Meetings industry is growing and it is seen as one of the key areas for destinations looking to diversify their tourism offer. Asia and the Pacific is currently one of the fastest developing regions in the world in this segment -  Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore are all among the top destinations in terms of number of international association congresses held.

Against this backdrop, the 8^th UNWTO Executive Training Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy is gathering policy makers from Asia and the Pacific to address the current status and future development of the Meetings industry in the region, covering topics such as capacity building and destination marketing.

Comprised of three days of workshops and a one-day technical visit, the Training aims at strengthening the participants’ capacity to develop policies and strategies for this segment while providing an important platform for knowledge exchange and regional cooperation between National Tourism Administrations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Supported by the government of the Republic of Korea, the 8^th Annual Training Programme is attended by 23 representatives from 20 UNWTO Member States from Asia-Pacific, the highest number of participants to date.

Note to editors:

In 2013, international tourist arrivals grew by 5%, reaching a record of 1,087 million worldwide. Growth was strongest in Asia and the Pacific, where the number of international tourists grew by 14 million to reach 248 million (+6%). According to UNWTO’s long-term forecasts, international tourist arrivals are expect to reach 1.8 billion in 2030, out of which 535 million will be in Asia and the Pacific.

Useful links:

The 8^th UNWTO Asia/Pacific Executive Training Programme

UNWTO Regional Programme for Asia and the Pacific

UNWTO Affiliate Members' Global Report on the Meetings Industry

Contacts:

UNWTO Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60 
 

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218