The 19th UN Tourism Asia-Pacific Executive Training Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy

The 19th UN Tourism Asia-Pacific Executive Training Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy organized by UN Tourism will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 19 – 22 May 2025.

Since 2006, UN Tourism has convened the Asia-Pacific Executive Training Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy annually, thanks to the sponsorship of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea. This Executive Training Programme is the only programme of its kind in the region and is renowned for its engaging content and thought-provoking discussions. The theme of the Programme changes each year, addressing key trends and challenges in tourism policy. Over the years, this initiative has had far-reaching impacts on both host destinations and participants.

The Executive Training Programme is attended by high-level officials from governments across Asia and the Pacific region. Through a series of lectures, discussions, debates, and presentations, the Programme offers a collaborative platform where public sector tourism executives can deepen their understanding of the latest trends in tourism policy. In addition to facilitating knowledge exchange and experience-sharing, the Programme highlights successful practices in policy and strategy formulation and implementation. It also provides participants with the opportunity to enhance their strategic tourism skills and build a strong regional network, enabling them to continue developing these competencies beyond the training. After eighteen years of steadfast support from the Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK), this Programme has become a landmark initiative of UN Tourism in the region, playing a pivotal role in tourism policy development and capacity-building.

The overall theme for the 19th UN Tourism Asia-Pacific Executive Training Programme this year will focus on Tourism and Culture. Tourism and culture are deeply intertwined, as cultural heritage, traditions, and arts often serve as primary attractions for travelers. According to UN Tourism research, around 40% of travelers now identify themselves as 'cultural travelers'. Tourism and culture are crucial to the Asia-Pacific region as they drive economic growth, create jobs, and showcase the area's rich diversity of traditions, heritage, and natural wonders, and many countries in the Asia-Pacific region can be the best places for these cultural travelers. The growing demand and interest in cultural tourism presents many opportunities and challenges for policy makers and practitioners in this region.

The Asia-Pacific region's rich cultural and historical attractions have the potential to draw millions of visitors, fostering cross-cultural exchange and deeper mutual understanding. At the same time, sustainable tourism initiatives play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage and promoting environmental conservation. Tourism contributes to the protection and promotion of cultural practices by generating economic benefits and instilling a sense of pride among local communities. However, the rapid growth of tourism also presents challenges. The commercialization of cultural traditions to accommodate tourist expectations can lead to cultural commodification and loss of authenticity in local rituals, customs, and practices. Additionally, over-tourism can place significant pressure on cultural heritage sites, causing physical degradation and diminishing their historical significance.

Recognizing the need for a balanced and sustainable approach, this year's Executive Training Programme will explore key issues at the intersection of tourism and culture, providing participants with strategies to effectively manage and optimize this dynamic relationship.

Since it is necessary to manage the dynamic relationship between tourism and culture well, this year's Executive Training Programme will examine various issues related to tourism and culture and seek ways to manage them effectively.

This year, the main objectives of 19th Executive Training Programme are to:

Examine the overview of tourism and culture, and understand its economic and social importance.
Look at the current status of Asia-Pacific region in relation to tourism and culture, and analyze its strengths and weaknesses.
Share success stories of cultural tourism in the Asia-Pacific region.

Discuss the role of the government and the public sector for developing cultural tourism in this region and discuss ways to cooperate with various stakeholders.

Contact Information:

Mr. Sinyoung An
Senior Officer
Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific, World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism)
Email: san@unwto.org, yli@unwto.org

Documentation (to be uploaded)