Asia-Pacific Forum Promotes Sustainable Tourism: Brunei Collaborates with UN to Discuss Development Strategies

(Bandar Seri Begawan, 16th) – Brunei’s Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), yesterday launched the UNWTO Regional Workshop on the Sustainability Assessment of Tourism in the Asia-Pacific Region. The workshop has brought together over 60 participants, including 20 international attendees from across the Asia-Pacific, such as representatives from national tourism boards, national statistics agencies, and other key organizations, as well as international experts. Also present are stakeholders from government, the private sector, tertiary institutions, tourism service providers, and local communities.

The three-day workshop is chaired by Tutiaty, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. In her speech, she emphasized that effective tourism policies must be based on reliable, data-driven insights to support more strategic planning, coordination, and informed decision-making.

She further pointed out that using measurable indicators not only strengthens regulatory frameworks and prevents environmental degradation, but also highlights the real value of social sustainability, economic empowerment, community ownership, and the protection of cultural heritage. The event incorporates high-level dialogues, technical sessions, and participatory meetings to explore the economic, social, and environmental aspects of tourism sustainability.

Participants discussed the use of the statistical framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST) and related tools, including the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) and the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). Through case studies and exercises, they explored ways to enhance institutional coordination between tourism and statistical agencies, improve tourism data governance, and use integrated information systems for evidence-based policy-making and destination management.

The workshop also addressed how to measure tourism employment, community engagement, and tourism’s interaction with the environment. The program serves as a platform for peer-learning and regional cooperation, reaffirming the Asia-Pacific countries’ commitment to advancing measurement in the tourism sector as a crucial foundation for sustainable and resilient tourism development.

As part of the technical study tour, participants will also visit the Tutong District, showcasing sustainable community tourism practices and providing deeper insight into Brunei’s rich cultural heritage and cultural tourism experiences within its natural environment.