By Sim YH –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, SEPT 27 – The Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, the Honorable Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin led a delegation from Brunei Darussalam to the 7th Japan Tourism Expo (TEJ) Tourism Ministers Round Table Meeting with the collaboration of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) which took place at TEJ on September 26 to 29.
According to a statement issued by the Tourism Development Department, here, also present during the meeting were the Acting Second Permanent Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (KSSUP), Dayang Noralinda binti Haji Ibrahim and officials from the Tourism Development Department.
The panelists for the round table consisted of the Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, UN Tourism, Hae Guk Hwang; Managing Director Asia Pacific, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Liz Ortiguera and Executive Director, European Tourism Commission (ETC), Eduardo Santander.
The round table discussion focused on the theme, Generate A New Adventure Trip with a focus on involving young people in shaping the future of tourism.
The discussion highlighted the important role of the younger generation in driving innovation and transformation in a rapidly changing industry.
It highlights the importance of inspiring young people to consider how digitalisation, sustainability and changing travel habits can shape the future of tourism, and calls for their active involvement in reimagining the travel landscape.
The round table then discussed strategies to raise the quality and value of tourism offers, with the aim of generating a more meaningful experience for visitors.
Emphasis is also placed on the shift towards a value-based tourism model that delivers structured and distinctive experiences, enhances the tourist experience, promotes the conservation of local ecosystems and culture, ensures that tourism development is sustainable while at the same time instilling long-term economic stability and fostering relationships that deeper between tourists and places visited.
Another main area discussed is the importance of cultural tourism, especially through the lens of gastronomic tourism. Culinary experiences are identified as powerful mediators for fostering deeper cultural understanding, offering visitors the opportunity to engage with a destination through its rich food traditions.
Gastronomic tourism not only enhances the overall visitor experience but also plays an important role in supporting the local economy by highlighting regional dishes and empowering local food producers.
In his statement during the 7th TEJ Ministers Round Table Meeting, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf highlighted the important role played by young people as the main workforce and potential future leaders in the tourism industry.
Engaging young people as the new champions of future tourism, he explained, is essential to foster high-value tourism where their collective commitment to sustainability as well as the conservation of culture and nature across the region will shape the future of the industry.
