UNWTO and Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) in collaboration with Duy Tan University, organized the 17th UNWTO Asia/Pacific Executive Training Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy. The event had the attendance of H.E. Mr. Doan Van Viet – Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh – Chairman of VNAT; Mr. Harry Hwang – Director of the Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific, UNWTO; Dr. Le Cong, Co-Head of Duy Tan University; Ms. Ji-eun Kang – Director of Tourism Policy Division (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Republic of Korea).
Tourism researchers and Experts from 19 countries in the Asia-Pacific region and leaders of Da Nang City joined a tourism program. H.E. Mr. Doan Van Viet said that tourism is contributing to socio-economic recovery and development after the pandemic. International visitor arrivals in the first 7 months of 2023 reached 700 million, an 84% recovery compared to 2019. However, the Asia-Pacific region is recovering slower than other regions, while the Middle East is welcoming more visitors than before the pandemic. This presents a common challenge, but also many opportunities.
To revive tourism sustainably, we must prioritize green growth and use technology in destination management. Quality human resources, especially at the management level, are also vital. A program called "Human Resource Development in tourism – Navigating Post-Covid Challenges" aims to tackle the challenge of meeting the tourism workforce's quantity and quality requirements.
According to Mr. Harry Hwang, Director of the Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific at UNWTO, the tourism industry is facing a serious shortage of human resources due to the pandemic-induced closures of tourism businesses, mass layoffs, and worker redeployment to other areas of business. This has exacerbated the skills shortage, which has been made worse by the exodus of workers. The UNWTO Panel of Experts shares this concern and believes that it is a major issue that needs to be addressed.
Mr. Tran Chi Cuong, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Da Nang City, said Da Nang City is a major economic and cultural center and the international gateway of Central Vietnam. It has a complete infrastructure system, facilities, and unique tourism products. Da Nang has received various awards, including Asia’s Leading Event and Festival Destination in 2016 and 2022, voted as one of the top three best cities in Southeast Asia in 2022, and My Khe-Da Nang beach being voted as one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in Asia in 2023.
Da Nang City will support UNWTO and other organizations to organize events that enhance destinations' service capacity, innovation, and creativity. The 17th UNWTO Asia/Pacific Executive Training Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy will take place in November, including panel discussions, keynote presentations, Q&A sessions, and country presentations that cover topics such as tourism education, customer expectations, upskilling, and crisis resilience
