SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 - UN Tourism unites 17 nations in Jakarta to boost recovery, foster innovation, and channel investments into sustainable tourism.
Tourism sector in Asia and the Pacific bounces back
UN Tourism has brought together its Member States from across Asia and the Pacific to guide the sector’s development beyond recovery and towards greater resilience and sustainability. In Jakarta, the Commission for Asia and the Pacific, alongside the Commission for South Asia, met jointly for the 37th time, with 17 countries represented.
According to UN Tourism’s data, after an initial slow recovery from the impacts of the pandemic, Asia and the Pacific has been rapidly returning to full strength. In 2024, destinations in the region welcomed 316 million international arrivals between them, equivalent to 87% of pre-pandemic numbers, and up from 66% at the end of 2023.
South Asia leads regional recovery
South Asia saw the best results by sub-region, with a 92% recovery. Maldives posted the highest growth in the region, welcoming 20% more tourists than in 2019, followed by Japan with 16%, Fiji with 10%, and Sri Lanka with 7% more compared to 2019. The Commission’s host this year, Indonesia, welcomed 13.9 million tourists in 2024, recovering 86% of 2019 levels.
UN Tourism highlights key development pillars
Member States in Jakarta were updated on the sector’s development in the region. The Report of the Secretary-General outlined progress made over the past year, most notably in the priority areas of Tourism Insights, Knowhow, Investments and Innovation, Education, and UN Tourism’s support on the ground for its Members.
“Our shared priorities will lay the foundations for a more resilient and sustainable tourism sector for Asia and the Pacific. At the heart of it all, however, is innovation and youth empowerment through training and education. Asia and the Pacific is one of the most dynamic regions on Earth. It is a hub of digital transformation, new ideas and innovators. And the future looks very bright indeed,” said UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.
Investment surges drive sustainable tourism
Between 2018 and 2024, Asia and the Pacific attracted over 640 greenfield tourism projects, worth a collective US$66 billion—more than one-third of global capital expenditure in tourism-related investment. UN Tourism emphasized the importance of further increasing investment and directing FDI towards projects that enhance sustainability and resilience.
Sustainable practices take center stage
In Jakarta, UN Tourism hosted its first Regional Conference on “Tourism Policy on Circular Economy.” The event brought together public and private sector leaders to address key challenges, including reducing waste, enhancing resource efficiency, and rethinking supply chains across the tourism sector.
Strengthening regional capabilities and education
UN Tourism is also focused on human capital development in the region. Progress shared with Member States includes the development of a first Co-branded Master’s in Tourism Management with Beijing International Studies University, offering 15 full scholarships annually, and a Co-branded Master’s in Digital Marketing and Analytics with the Macao University of Tourism.
The organization is working to strengthen the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Nara, Japan, positioning it as a hub for a wide-reaching Tourism Resilience Programme.
Future leadership and events
In Jakarta, statutory obligations were fulfilled with elections for upcoming roles. The Philippines and Maldives were nominated as Vice-Presidents for the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly. The Philippines was also nominated to Chair the Commission for South Asia, while the Maldives will Chair the Commission for East Asia and the Pacific. Japan and Fiji were nominated as Vice-Chairs for East Asia and the Pacific, and India and Bhutan as Vice-Chairs of South Asia. Iran and India were nominated to represent the region on the UN Tourism Executive Council.
UN Tourism will return to the region in September for World Tourism Day 2025, hosted by Malaysia.
For more information, visit unwto.org.