CEBU CITY – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Thursday formally sealed and signed into force the regional bloc’s five-year successor tourism blueprint in a bid to boost regional cooperation and transformation in the post-pandemic period.

The launch of the blueprint, dubbed the ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan (ATSP) 2026–2030, was held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026, which forms part of the Philippines’ ASEAN chairship this year.

The ATSP 2026–2030 succeeds the ATSP 2016–2025, marking renewed regional tourism cooperation and development, with the Philippines serving as lead country coordinator.

“The ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan will serve as the framework for sustainable tourism development across the region from 2026 to 2030. The Philippines was privileged to have been selected as lead country coordinator in taking the surveys for the plan, devising the plan in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and the ASEAN Secretariat,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, chair of ATF 2026, said in a media interview.

The ATSP 2026–2030 outlines the region’s collective vision and plans for a sustainable and inclusive tourism industry, structured around five interrelated focus areas: resilient tourism, empowerment of the tourism workforce, accessible and seamless travel, digital tourism, product and market diversification, and sustainable tourism.

Frasco said applying these pillars would allow ASEAN to be marketed as a unified tourism destination while improving accessibility by air and sea for travelers.

“There is so much that can be learned as well as so much that can be beneficial to our communities, with the ASEAN member states working together. And our region boasts some of the most mega-biodiverse destinations in the world. And so, the nature, adventure, culture, heritage, gastronomic, as well as leisurely experiences that the ASEAN region offers really are quite unparalleled,” she said.

She added that discussions would also focus on improving route connectivity across ASEAN destinations by air, as well as further expanding these links.

In terms of cruise tourism development, ASEAN tourism ministers said prioritizing diversification and digitalization would help ensure destinations are not plagued by overtourism, which can lead to the degradation of natural assets. Instead, destinations “are opened up to opportunities to highlight the other assets of their destination such as our diverse and rich culture our beautiful gastronomy, as well as our indigenous heritage and the stories that pervade our destinations as can be gained from our community-based tourism enterprises.”

Moreover, Frasco said ASEAN member states would continue to work together on human capital development through the exchange of best practices, including training sessions focused on tourism skills and innovations to ensure the sustainability of tourism workers’ livelihoods.

ASEAN member states will also pursue the development of sports tourism circuits, leveraging the region’s portfolio of globally competitive experiences.