UNWTO in collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan organized a three-day Asia-Pacific Commission Meetings and the UNWTO Asia-Pacific Conference on Metropolitan Tourism in Kobe, Japan from 9-11 June 2008.

The Comission Meetings were held against the backdrop of the Asia-Pacific region as one of world's main international tourism engines.While international arrivals grew more than 6% in 2007, reaching a new record figure of almost 900 million, the region surpassed that rate and outgrew the world average with 10%, totalling 185 million arrivals.International tourism is also leaping forward in host country Japan. With arrivals on the rise since 2004, last year saw a 14% record growth rate with 8.3 million arrivals.

Japan moves ahead

The meetings in Kobe marked a very important moment in the history of tourism in Japan, coinciding with the very year in which the Government reinforced its commitment to the country’s tourism by changing the name of the ministry in charge of tourism affairs from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. As a result, a full-fledged Tourism Agency will be established within the Ministry next October.

This historic moment has been preceded in recent years by Japan’s bold public announcement to build its nation on tourism – reflecting a marked policy adjustment in a country known for the manufacture of cars and electronic products. It is noteworthy that the country’s ambitious Visit Japan Campaign aimed at attracting 10 million inbound international tourists by 2010 shows signs of becoming a reality, according to the above figures.

Increasing efficiency

During the 20th Meeting of the two commissions, one of the main issues of note was a joint proposal to become one single commission. One single voice will facilitate the sharing of experiences in the tourism development of their respective countries for the benefit of the Asia-Pacific region as a whole.

Other items of discussion centred on the Organization’s progress report on its activities in the region, the preparation of our programme of work for 2010-2011 and contemporary issues on tourism at both global and regional levels.

Focus on metropolitan tourism

The Conference on Metropolitan Tourism was a follow-up to the first two international conferences on the same subject which UNWTO organised in Shanghai (China in 2006) and Busan (Republic of Korea in 2007).

These events form part of UNWTO’s pan-Asian research programme on metropolitan tourism and its findings shall be turned into a publication containing case studies on metropolitan tourism in Asia and the Pacific region.

Urban explosion around the world is acute in Asia, where the population of its cities totals over 1 billion, and it is forecast that by 2020, this number will have doubled. Case studies presented at the conference demonstrated that metropolitan tourism is a complex subject which requires coordination by many stakeholders, decisive leadership and clearly outlined strategies for its development. Asian cities are developing new and innovative tourism products and devising the means to increase the quality of life of its citizens to forestall antagonism against the urban growth phenomenon.

The events in Kobe were inaugurated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Tetsuzou Fuyushiba and UNWTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli. The conference drew the participation of over 600 participants 85 of whom were international delegates. There were presentations on Bangkok and New Delhi to show how metropolitan tourism is evolving in one city in East Asia and another in South Asia. These were juxtaposed with a presentation on Madrid representing the European perspective. Participants also heard presentations from renowned Japanese speakers including the Vice Governor of Tokyo and the famous architect Tadao Ando.

Contact information:


Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific

T: +34 91-567-8192 - F: +34 91-571-3733
csa-cap@UNWTO.org

Media Section

Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
T: +34 91-567-8178 /8100 - F: +34 91-567-8218
comm@UNWTO.org - www.UNWTO.org