APEC Economies Gather in Incheon to Advance Tourism Cooperation through Innovation and Sustainability
Date Jul 28, 2025
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65th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting takes place
July 28–31 at Songdo Convensia
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea (Minister YU In Chon, MCST), in cooperation with the Korea Tourism Organization (Acting President SEO Young Chung), is hosting the 65th APEC Tourism Working Group (TWG) Meeting from July 28 (Monday) to July 31 (Thursday) at Songdo Convensia, Incheon, as part of the Third APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM3) and Related Meetings.
Established in 1991, the APEC TWG has served as a key platform for tourism officials from 21 member economies to share insights, align policies, and foster growth through travel and tourism cooperation.
The 65th TWG Meeting will feature the adoption of the APEC Tourism Strategic Plan 2025–2029, setting priorities in digital transformation, human capital development, travel facilitation, and sustainable tourism growth. Around 80 delegates from 18 economies are expected to attend. Officials will also review the draft Terms of Reference for 2026–2029, which outline the scope and working arrangements of the Tourism Working Group.
Notable participants include Mr. Choon Hwa Chua, Deputy Secretary General (Tourism) at Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Mr. Seksan Ngawsuwan, Assistant Permanent Secretary at Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports; and Mr. Oliver Chong, Assistant Chief Executive (Designate) at the Singapore Tourism Board.
Ahead of the meeting, Korea and the OECD are co-hosting a workshop on July 28 titled “AI and Tourism: Boosting Innovation, Enhancing Sustainability in APEC Economies.” The event builds on the outcomes of a joint forum held in Gyeongju earlier this year and focuses on turning policy discussions into actionable strategies.
Speakers include Ms. Jane Stacey (OECD), representatives from Expedia Group, Booking.com, Agoda, Google, Microsoft, and Korean startups Globaleur and Tripbtoz. Government officials will also share AI case studies and explore public-private collaboration in tourism.
On July 30, delegates will take part in a technical tour organized as part of the TWG program, visiting the National Museum of Korea and Seongsu-dong. These sites offer insight into Korea’s approach to cultural tourism development and the integration of K-content into destination branding. A Korea Tourism Promotion Booth is also open at Songdo Convensia throughout SOM3 (July 26–August 15), showcasing regional content and interactive tourism experiences.
An official at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism remarked, “As the host of the first APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, Korea has played a pioneering role in shaping tourism cooperation within the region. As Deputy Lead Shepherd of the Tourism Working Group, we remain committed to driving forward dialogue on sustainable and innovative economic development through tourism.”