JOHOR BARU: Asean countries should find a balance between tourism and growth as they emerge from the shadows of the Covid-19 pandemic, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He said this approach will help address over-tourism.
“Addressing the challenges of over-tourism is critical to maintaining the balance between tourism growth and the public good.“It is imperative that tourism in post-pandemic Asean focuses not only on recovery but also on transitioning to a sustainable and quality-driven business model,” said Fadillah at the Asean Tourism Forum here on Saturday.
He said the region can lead global efforts in sustainable tourism by promoting aviation decarbonisation, renewable energy integration, and innovative approaches.
“These initiatives aim to ensure equitable benefits for local communities while preserving cultural authenticity and protecting the environment,” he said.
He said the Action Roadmap for Sustainable Tourism Development in Asean outlines strategies to promote sustainable and inclusive tourism in the region.
Fadillah also called on Asean nations to focus on quality investments as they recover from the pandemic.
“While tourism investments are recovering with foreign direct investment in the sector increasing from US$1.2bil (RM5.41bil) in 2022 to US$2.8bil (RM12.61bil) in 2023, this is still far below the pre-pandemic peak of US$24.5bil (RM110.37bil) in 2019.
“To address this gap, Asean must prioritise quality investments that diversify destinations, redistribute tourist flows, and leverage technology to reduce pressure on existing hotspots.
“By doing so, Asean can position itself as a vital platform for promoting inclusive and well-balanced tourism growth in the region,” he said.
Also present at the opening ceremony here was Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.In his speech, Tiong said Asean countries should work together to strengthen their presence on the global stage.
“We should ensure that our tourism industry supports our communities and protects our heritage.
“We should continue to work hand in hand and position Asean with a significant presence on the international stage,” he said.