‘Tourism vital for the economy’

NARA (Japan): Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) member nations must continue to ensure a tourism-friendly business environment in the region as well as in their respective countries to accelerate economic growth. This was one of the points agreed to by the 21-member countries in the Nara Declaration released at the end of the 6th Apec meeting on tourism, which ended in this ancient city yesterday. “We believe that tourism can maximise and protect its assets – including natural, cultural and heritage – through encouraging tourism flows more evenly,” the statement said. “This is also vital towards providing a more stable environment and to allow tourism to grow in a sustainable, balanced and inclusive manner.”

The gist of the declaration was read out by Japan’s Land, Infra-structure, Transport and Tourism Minister Sumio Mabuchi. Malaysia was represented at the meeting, by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen which also saw the participation by Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia and the United States. The declaration said even as member countries advocated an “inbound tourism strategy”, they should also share relevant information and best practices as well as explore opportunities for collaboration within the region.

Towards this, they agreed to exchange information on ways to expand new and emerging types of tourism such as medical and wellness, religious events, sports, cruise, eco tourism and MICE (meetings, incentive travel, convention and exhibition/events). These avenues, they said, could stimulate new demand and tourism-related investments across the region. They agreed that tourism would continue to play an important and relevant role during this period of significant change in the global political and economic order. Yokohama, Japan’s second largest city, will host the 18th Apec Economic Leaders’ meeting on Nov 13 and 14.
-thestar online.