ADB lines up $3B tourism investment pipeline for ASEAN

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a $3 billion funding pipeline for various investments across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

The announcement was made by ADB Vice President for East and Southeast Asia Scott Morris during the ASEAN Tourism Forum held Thursday at NUSTAR Resort and Casino.

“Looking ahead, ADB has a $3 billion pipeline in new tourism and tourism-enabling investments across ASEAN through 2030, underscoring our confidence in the sector’s continued relevance to development outcomes,” Morris said.

Since the early 2000s, Morris said the ADB has mobilized more than $4 billion in tourism-related financing across the region, supporting destination infrastructure, product development, skills upgrading, and overall sector growth.

He added that the ADB has also backed strategic infrastructure investments alongside policy reform, capacity building, and private sector mobilization, “delivering measurable results in improved connectivity, higher quality tourism offerings, stronger local value chains and increased resilience of destinations and communities to natural disasters, climate change and market vulnerabilities.”

Morris further said the ADB is working with subregional programs within ASEAN to enhance the economic, social, and environmental benefits of tourism at the community level.

“Looking ahead, ASEAN has articulated a clear and ambitious vision for the future of its tourism sector. By 2045, ASEAN aims to be a global leader in quality and high-value tourism, one that delivers sustainable and resilient outcomes while generating meaningful employment for its people,” he said.

“This vision has translated into action through the ASEAN tourism strategic plan 2026, through 2030, providing a coordinated regional framework to guide the next phase of tourism development,” he added.

Morris said tourism remains one of ASEAN’s most powerful economic and social engines.

“With the right policies, investments and partnerships, it can also continue to drive inclusive, resilient and sustainable growth across the region. The ASEAN tourism sectoral plan provides a strong foundation for ADB and ASEAN member countries to pursue an integrated and holistic approach to tourism, one that creates jobs, safeguards the environment, and strengthens economic resilience across the region,” he said.