Meeting in Manila on 29 September 2026, ASEAN’s tourism ministers set out a shared direction for a sector still growing, yet increasingly exposed to disruption. Their joint statement brings energy costs, climate preparedness, investment, skills and regional travel into one conversation: how to build tourism that can withstand uncertainty and deliver lasting benefits to the communities behind it.

For a small tourism business, developments far beyond its destination can quickly become personal. A rise in aviation fuel costs can affect demand; an extreme weather event can interrupt trading; changing technology can reshape how visitors find and book an experience.

These connections run through the joint statement issued at the Second ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Retreat in the Philippines. While acknowledging the region’s continuing tourism recovery and expansion, ministers recognised that growth remains exposed to geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, climate risks, natural hazards and rapid technological change.

Their response places greater emphasis on collective preparedness, with regional coordination intended to help destinations anticipate disruption and recover when it occurs.

A closer regional market in an uncertain world

Continuing tensions in the Middle East, and the resulting volatility in global energy markets, were a particular concern. Ministers noted the consequences for aviation fuel and transport costs, travel demand, connectivity, tourism businesses and investor confidence.

They called for close monitoring and stronger coordination with ASEAN bodies responsible for energy and transport. Alongside that response, they highlighted the importance of strengthening travel links between member states.

Ministers also agreed on the value of directing greater marketing investment towards emerging second- and third-tier destinations across the region. The intention is to help cushion tourism against any decline in long-haul arrivals driven by higher fuel prices.

For destinations with a smaller international profile, this points towards a potentially valuable role within a more closely connected regional tourism economy. Bringing them into greater view could broaden the places travellers consider while helping ASEAN respond to changes in distant source markets.

Resilience begins before disruption

The statement gives climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction a clear place in tourism cooperation. Ministers stressed the need for stronger business continuity planning, preparedness and coordinated crisis communication, together with measures to support the timely recovery of affected destinations and tourism-dependent communities.

These are practical concerns for a sector whose livelihoods depend on visitors being able, and willing, to travel. Preparation influences how businesses respond during an interruption; coordination helps destinations communicate clearly and organise their recovery.

The retreat also considered how to turn the ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan 2026–2030 into concrete outcomes. National tourism organisations were tasked with advancing a review of the ASEAN Tourism Agreement, reflecting developments in digitalisation, sustainability, connectivity and traveller expectations.

Giving investment a longer horizon

Ministers discussed the development of the ASEAN Sustainable and Resilient Tourism Investment Outlook, acknowledging support from the Asian Development Bank.

The ambition is to mobilise quality, sustainable investment that strengthens infrastructure, improves destination resilience and enhances competitiveness. Engagement with private businesses, financial institutions and development partners is intended to help prepare investment-ready projects and expand opportunities for destinations and enterprises, including micro, small and medium-sized businesses.

Better information forms another part of this approach. Ministers welcomed the Philippines’ ASEAN Tourism Intelligence initiative and considered how stronger regional data, analytics and demand forecasting could support more informed decisions and timely responses to changing conditions.

The proposal remains subject to further study: ASEAN’s national tourism organisations, supported by the ASEAN Secretariat, were asked to examine it and recommend a way forward.

The people who make adaptation possible

A resilient tourism economy also needs a workforce able to navigate change. Ministers encouraged closer cooperation on education, skills development, upskilling and reskilling, with particular attention to digital and sustainability-related capabilities.

Their statement emphasises inclusive opportunities for women, young people and local communities throughout the tourism value chain. It also recognises that regional initiatives must respond to the different levels of tourism development among member states and bring tangible benefits to communities and smaller enterprises.

Delivering that ambition will require cooperation beyond tourism ministries. Transport, energy, trade, investment and the digital economy all shape a destination’s ability to compete and adapt. Ministers also reaffirmed their intention to deepen cooperation with ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners, international organisations and financial institutions where it supports regional priorities.

Source: Joint Statement of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers, Second ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Retreat, Manila, 29 September 2026.