LocationsEnvironmental conservation, economic empowerment among focus of Sustainable Tourism Conference
October 11, 2024
10 October 2024, Putrajaya – UNDP Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and the Tourism Productivity Nexus (TPN) today successfully organised the Sustainable Tourism Conference in conjunction with World Tourism Day (WTD) 2024 at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Putrajaya.
With the theme “Tourism and Peace – Rebuilding Tourism Resilience & Readiness Through Sustainable Tourism”, the conference featured international and local speakers who shared insights, ideas, and expertise on sustainable tourism practices, innovative strategies, and the latest developments in line with digital technology advancements.
Tourism plays a significant role in fostering global understanding, cultural exchange, and economic growth, further supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thus, the conference focused on sustainable tourism practices, which involve environmental conservation, local economic empowerment, and the protection of cultural heritage, contributing to global peace.
Knowledge-sharing sessions at the conference covered topics such as Community-Based Tourism, urban and rural tourism, and their connections to peace, as well as the latest tourism-related policies. The experiences gained from each session aimed to raise participants' awareness of the importance of sustainable tourism practices.
Panel sessions covered on topics such as Community-Based Tourism, urban and rural tourism, and their connections to peace, as well as the latest tourism-related policies. From top to bottom right: Ms. Fiza Shafie, Mr. Tendi Sherpa and Mr. Asfazam Kasbani.
Dr Yasmeen Yasim, Deputy Secretary General (Tourism) of MOTAC said, “Among the initiatives Malaysia has taken to foster sustainable tourism is the development of UN International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) sites. I am happy to note that MOTAC is working very closely with UNDP in identifying and subsequently developing potential INSTO sites in the country.”
“To better integrate peacebuilding into our nation’s tourism agenda, we also focus on creating tourism experiences that highlight the importance of social harmony and cultural coexistence. At the same time supports local economies, particularly marginalised communities. The Homestay Experience Program is a great example of how tourism empowers the local communities by uplifting their income and quality of life while maintaining their rich cultural heritage,” she continued.
Manon Bernier, Resident Representative a.i. of UNDP Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam said, “While numbers of tourists in Malaysia is almost back to pre-pandemic levels, if we want to build a more resilient tourism sector – we must set our sights higher than just increasing tourist numbers. We need to reimagine tourism as a driver of sustainable growth, placing the preservation of natural assets at the forefront. It’s about creating innovative, low-impact tourism products and fostering deep collaboration—between governments, NGOs, the private sector, and communities.
“By revitalizing tourism together, we can create not only economic prosperity but also strengthen peace and social cohesion. Working in silos is no longer an option. Sustainability must be at the heart of all our strategies, with local actions and strong governance ensuring that we respond dynamically to challenges. A whole-of-industry approach is essential to shaping a resilient and inclusive future for tourism.”
From top: Ms. Manon Bernier, Resident Representative a.i. for UNDP in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam; Dr Yasmeen Yasim, Deputy Secretary General (Tourism) of MOTAC (bottom left) and Mr Rohizam Md Yusoff Champion, Tourism Productivity Nexus, Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) under the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI), giving their welcoming addresses at the Sustainable Tourism Conference 2024.
The conference successfully attracted over 300 participants, including representatives from various ministries, government agencies, industry players, and relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The strong turnout reflects the general awareness and sensitivity towards the importance of sustainability practices in every link of the national tourism industry’s value chain.
Certificates are presented to representatives from various ministries, government agencies, industry players, and relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The close collaboration between MOTAC, UNDP Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam, and TPN in organising the WTD2024 Conference demonstrates Malaysia’s commitment to driving the sustainable development agenda on an international level, especially in anticipation of its Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 and the Visit Malaysia Campaign 2026, in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.
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