About UN Tourism
UN Tourism is a specialized UN agency headquartered in Madrid. Its mission is to promote responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. The agency has been central to supporting destinations during post-pandemic recovery, launching initiatives such as the International Code for the Protection of Tourists
About PATA
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a non-profit membership-based association headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. PATA was founded in 1951 to promote responsible and sustainable travel across the Asia-Pacific region. PATA is widely recognized for its role in conducting tourism research, hosting industry events, and fostering collaboration among Asia-Pacific destinations. Its programs provide insight into visitor trends, digital transformation in travel, and sustainable destination management.
Themes of the 19th Forum
The 19th edition focused on pressing issues facing the global tourism sector, including:
- Sustainable Tourism Development – Discussions on reducing environmental impacts, encouraging green initiatives, and promoting eco-friendly travel experiences.
- Tourism Recovery and Resilience – Strategies for destinations still navigating post-pandemic recovery and adapting to shifting travel behaviors.
- Regional Cooperation – Highlighting how Asia-Pacific destinations can collaborate on tourism policies, cultural exchange, and crisis management.
Themes of the 19th Forum
This year’s edition of the UN Tourism/PATA Forum centered on some of the most pressing issues shaping the global tourism landscape.
Sustainable Tourism Development
Speakers emphasized the urgent need to minimize tourism’s environmental footprint. Discussions included green initiatives, eco-friendly travel experiences, and strategies for destinations to balance visitor demand with conservation. Destinations were encouraged to adopt carbon-neutral policies, invest in renewable energy, and engage local communities to ensure tourism benefits are broadly shared.
Tourism Recovery and Resilience
Although international travel has largely rebounded after the pandemic, the forum highlighted that challenges remain, particularly for smaller economies and developing nations. Presentations explored adaptive strategies for destinations, shifting travel behaviors such as the rise in nature-based tourism, and the growing importance of health and safety standards.
Regional Cooperation
The forum also underscored the importance of collaboration across Asia-Pacific destinations. Shared policies, regional tourism corridors, crisis response mechanisms, and cultural exchange programs were identified as key tools for building resilience and ensuring that the benefits of tourism extend across borders.
Why Guilin Matters
Guilin has become synonymous with the UN Tourism/PATA Forum, not just as a host but as a symbol of sustainable development.
Its unique landscapes, make Guilin a global attraction, while its role as host city underscores China’s broader ambition to position itself at the center of international tourism dialogue.
Human Side of the Forum
For local communities and participants, the forum is more than a policy event—it is a chance to share experiences and shape the human aspect of travel. For Guilin’s residents, hosting leaders from around the globe is both an honor and an opportunity to showcase their city’s cultural heritage and hospitality.
Shaping the Future of Global Travel
The 19th UN Tourism/PATA Forum on Tourism Trends and Outlook reaffirmed the value of tourism as a driver of economic growth, cultural exchange, and sustainable development. With UN Tourism and PATA jointly leading the conversation, the forum emphasized that the future of travel depends on innovation, inclusivity, and international cooperation.
As the world looks ahead, the lessons drawn from Guilin extend far beyond policy discussions. They remind us that tourism is not only an economic pillar but also a bridge between people, cultures, and nations. By prioritizing sustainability and resilience, the global tourism sector can ensure that travel continues to bring the world closer together — responsibly, inclusively, and sustainably.
Image Credit:- Pacific Asia Travel Association
