REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MACAO - The Tourism Ministers from APEC's 21 economies have adopted a set of measures that ensures the Asia-Pacific travel and leisure industry keeps pace with changing consumer trends and advances in technology, a statement has said. As more tourists use the internet, mobile phone apps, and other online tools to make travel plans, consumers have become technology-savvy.

New initiatives from facilitating tourist travel and promoting smart digital technologies in modern tourism management to developing sustainable, low-carbon tourism destinations are outlined in the Macao Declaration, adopted last Saturday (Sept 13) by the 8th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, chaired by Shao Qiwei, Chairperson of the China National Tourism Administration, press release from the regional organization received on Sunday said.

"By removing barriers and improving the integration of the Asia-Pacific tourism market, APEC can meet its new target of 800 million tourists by 2025," said Vice Premier Wang Yang of China's State Council, in his opening remarks.

"We welcome promoting the tourism sector as a key pillar in APEC's work," said Mari Pangestu, Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, in her remarks on behalf of APEC Ministers at the opening ceremony.

According to her tourism sector is critical economically for the region with the Asia-Pacific enjoying the largest tourism market in the world. Globally, the tourism industry was the third largest sector, providing one in eleven jobs worldwide, Minister Pangestu said.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika