Leaders of NTOs taking souvenir photo

In her opening remarks, Philippines Undersecretary for Tourism Verna Esmeralda Buensuceso underscored that high-level coordination among ASEAN member states is critical to ensuring tourism continues to serve as a driver of inclusive and sustainable growth, rather than being measured solely by visitor numbers. “The decisions and coordination at meetings such as this will directly shape the visitor journey, the competitiveness of destinations, the resilience of businesses, and the livelihoods of communities,” she emphasized.

VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the 63rd Meeting of ASEAN National Tourism Organizations (NTOs)

According to Undersecretary Buensuceso, the meeting comes at a pivotal moment for regional tourism, as ASEAN seeks to balance growth with sustainability, accelerate digital transformation, and advance community-centered tourism development. She called on member states to deliver “concrete, forward-looking outcomes,” particularly solutions that promote sustainability without constraining growth, fast-track digitalization while safeguarding safety and trust, and ensure tourism benefits are shared with local communities.

She also highlighted the historical significance of Cebu as the host city. In 1990, Cebu was the site of the signing of the ASEAN Ministerial Agreement on Tourism Cooperation - one of the early milestones affirming Southeast Asia’s potential to develop as a cooperative region rather than a collection of competing destinations. She warmly welcomed Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s 11th member state, noting that its accession strengthens the foundation of trust, friendship, and shared commitment to regional development.

Philippines Undersecretary for Tourism Verna Esmeralda Buensuceso speaking at the Meeting

As leaders of National Tourism Organizations, the delegates, she said, are in a “pivotal position to translate vision into action,” with policy decisions having direct impacts on businesses, workers, and destination communities across the region.

VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh speaking at the Meeting

Speaking at the meeting, VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh shared updates on Vietnam tourism performance. He noted that 2025 marked a year of strong recovery and consolidation for the sector. Vietnam welcomed 21.2 million international visitor arrivals, while domestic tourism reached 137 million trips, generating an estimated USD 40 billion in tourism receipts.

These positive results, he said, reflect sustained efforts to facilitate travel, expand air connectivity, diversify tourism products, and accelerate digital transformation. ASEAN remains a key source market, and Vietnam places particular emphasis on strengthening regional cooperation to boost intra-ASEAN travel flows.

Delegates from Vietnam National Authority of Tourism

VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh commended the active and constructive engagement of the Philippines and other ASEAN member states, as well as the effective coordinating role of the ASEAN Secretariat in implementing the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025. Thanks to collective efforts, numerous important projects, activities, and documents have been completed, laying a solid foundation for the implementation of the 2026-2030 plan.

Vietnam reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat to effectively implement the new plan, while standing ready to share experience and best practices in areas of strength such as ecotourism, rural tourism, gastronomy, and cultural tourism.

On this occasion, VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh also provided preliminary information on upcoming tourism meetings under subregional cooperation frameworks. Vietnam plans to host the 7th ACMECS Tourism Ministers Meeting, the 8th CLMV Tourism Ministers Meeting, and the 1st CLV Tourism Ministers Meeting in late August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, on the sidelines of the International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) 2026. Detailed information on the programs and organizational arrangements will be communicated to member countries through official invitations in due course, with a request for coordination in informing ministers upon issuance.

Vietnam plans to host the 7th ACMECS Tourism Ministers Meeting, the 8th CLMV Tourism Ministers Meeting, and the 1st CLV Tourism Ministers Meeting in late August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, on the sidelines of the International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) 2026

Also addressing the meeting, Mr. Oliver Chong, Deputy Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, stressed that the conference takes place at a particularly important juncture, as ASEAN countries continue to deepen cooperation and advance a shared vision of positioning Southeast Asia as a unified and compelling destination. Current challenges and opportunities, he noted, require a regional approach that leverages the collective strengths of 11 diverse, culturally rich destinations bound by shared values and aspirations.

He described the meeting as a valuable opportunity to build on past achievements while charting an innovation-driven pathway for sustainable tourism development, with a focus on enhanced travel facilitation, seamless connectivity, and the promotion of responsible tourism practices. Through these efforts, ASEAN member states will continue to strengthen partnerships and align actions toward a dynamic, resilient, and future-ready ASEAN tourism space.

Overview of the Meeting

The meeting reviewed reports from four ASEAN tourism cooperation bodies: (1) the ASEAN Tourism Competitiveness Committee, (2) the ASEAN Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism Development Committee, (3) the ASEAN Tourism Professional Monitoring Committee, and (4) the ASEAN Tourism Resources, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee. Under the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2026-2030, these committees will be dissolved and consolidated into the ASEAN Tourism Working Group (ATWG), which will be responsible for implementing, coordinating, and monitoring tourism cooperation activities and projects across ASEAN.

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