ASEAN Tourism Ministers and Dialogue Partners Reaffirm Tourism as Key Economic Driver
Tourism ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their dialogue partners from Japan, India, China, the Republic of Korea, and Russia have collectively reaffirmed the critical role of tourism as a primary driver of economic growth, investment, and regional resilience. The meetings, held recently, emphasized the sector's importance in fostering stability and prosperity across the region.
Japan's Call for Collective Action and New Cooperation Plan
On Friday, January 30, 2026, Japan's Parliamentary Vice Minister for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Manabu Nagai, stressed the urgent need for collective action to sustain tourism-led growth in the ASEAN region. Nagai highlighted that this gathering marked the first ASEAN tourism ministers' meeting since Timor-Leste officially joined the bloc, describing this expansion as a significant boost to ASEAN's long-term cooperation and prosperity.
He further announced that ASEAN Plus Three ministers are poised to adopt a new tourism cooperation action plan. This strategic framework will guide future collaboration among ASEAN, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, addressing shared challenges and enhancing the effectiveness of regional tourism initiatives.
Philippines' Emphasis on Economic Significance and Partnerships
For her part, Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco underscored that ASEAN's partnerships with its dialogue partners remain among the most economically significant tourism relationships globally. These partnerships actively support employment, enterprise growth, and investment across the entire tourism value chain.
Frasco pointed to sustained air connectivity and long-standing cooperation with Japan, reinforced by the momentum of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, as key factors that have strengthened capacity building, quality standards, and tourism development throughout ASEAN.
ASEAN-India Tourism Partnership Highlights Growing Economic Importance
In a separate session, ASEAN and India emphasized the growing economic importance of their tourism partnership during the ASEAN–India tourism ministers' meeting, which was co-chaired by the Philippines and India. India's Minister of Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who participated virtually, stated that tourism has emerged as a powerful driver of economic integration and people-to-people ties between India and ASEAN.
Shekhawat provided compelling statistics: in 2024, 5.24 million Indian travelers visited ASEAN, while 0.87 million visitors from ASEAN traveled to India. This positive momentum continued into 2025, with 5.2 million Indian travelers and 0.81 million ASEAN visitors recorded from January to October, underscoring robust two-way tourism demand.
He added that a majority of these travelers fall within the 25–35 age group, motivated by leisure, business, education, and medical travel. This demographic trend presents significant opportunities for developing youth-focused and experience-driven tourism products.
Frasco highlighted tangible gains for the Philippines from deeper engagement with India, citing the country's visa-free initiative for Indian nationals and the launch of direct flights. These measures coincided with a notable increase in Indian visitor arrivals during the last quarter of 2025.
She emphasized that ASEAN–India cooperation remains firmly anchored on sustainable tourism, connectivity, and human capital development. This alignment is consistent with the ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan 2026–2030 and the ASEAN–India Tourism Work Plan 2023–2027.
"Tourism cooperation is not pursued in isolation," Frasco remarked. "It is part of a broader effort to strengthen connectivity, deepen economic integration, and ensure growth that is resilient, inclusive, and aligned with long-term economic value."
ASEAN-Russia Focus on Reliability and Skills Development
The Philippines also called for stronger reliability, skills development, and seamless travel standards to support tourism recovery and long-term growth between ASEAN and the Russian Federation during the fifth ASEAN-Russia Tourism Ministers' Meeting.
Frasco asserted that tourism remains a powerful form of people-to-people diplomacy when visitors are welcomed with dignity and return home with respect for host communities.
"Recent years have shown that for tourism to truly flourish, confidence in travel must be built — through reliable routes, clear information, consistent standards, and human capital that delivers world-class experiences," she explained.
She cited concrete Philippine initiatives aimed at attracting and better serving Russian visitors. These include chartered flights with direct access to Kalibo, Russian-language training for tour guides, and the development of study-tour programs that combine leisure travel with practical learning.
Nikita Kondratyev, Director General for the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects, welcomed progress on the ASEAN–Russia Tourism Work Plan for 2026–2030. He stated that this plan would help promote more accessible and seamless travel, as ASEAN destinations continue to be popular among Russian tourists.
Kondratyev noted that 2026 will mark 35 years of ASEAN–Russia relations and 50 years of diplomatic ties between Russia and the Philippines. Tourism cooperation is expected to form a significant part of a broader action plan under the Philippines' ASEAN chairmanship.
Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Stability
The series of meetings successfully brought together tourism ministers and senior officials from ASEAN member states and their dialogue partners. These gatherings reinforced tourism's established role as a fundamental pillar of regional economic cooperation and stability, setting a collaborative path forward for the industry's sustainable growth.
