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Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
Da Nang, Vietnam – As the global tourism industry steadily recovers from the profound impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing multilateral dialogue mechanisms and fostering strategic partnerships has become increasingly imperative. From 2 to 4 July 2025, Duy Tan University—a leading institution in tourism education and research in Vietnam—will host the inaugural ASEAN–Korea Tourism Roundtable (AK-RT).
A Flagship Event within the ASEAN–Korea Cooperation Framework
AK-RT 2025 stands as a landmark initiative within the ASEAN–Korea cooperation program, launched in August 2024 with financial support from the ASEAN–Korea FTA Funds and the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and organized in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) and the Passage to ASEAN (P2A) university network.
The Roundtable is envisioned as a high-level forum bringing together policymakers, business leaders, industry experts, and academics in tourism from the ten ASEAN countries and the Republic of Korea. It provides a crucial platform for stakeholders to share insights, identify challenges, and develop actionable policy recommendations for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism future.
Four Strategic Pillars Guiding the Conference Agenda
AK-RT 2025 focuses on four core strategic pillars that aim to deepen ASEAN–Korea integration in the tourism sector:
Enhancing Security and Facilitating Cross-Border Tourism
Prioritizing visa liberalization, smart border controls, and post-pandemic health safety measures to rebuild traveler confidence.
Improving Systems and Reducing Friction in Travel Experiences
Promoting digitalization of tourism services, technological applications for navigation and feedback, and upgrading infrastructure and destination service quality.
Developing a High-Quality Tourism Workforce
Discussing cross-border education models, soft skill development, digital transformation training, and academic/scholar exchange programs among member countries.
Fostering Cultural Understanding and Respect for Diversity
Enhancing people-to-people exchanges, promoting indigenous cultural values, and raising awareness on sustainable tourism and cultural preservation.
These themes are closely aligned with Article 5 of the ASEAN–Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and its Annex on Tourism, specifically addressing (b) human resource development, (c) standardization and technical support, and (e) information cooperation. The event also supports broader regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN+3 Tourism Cooperation Work Plan 2021–2025, M-ATM+3, and ASEAN NTOs+3.
Duy Tan University: Academic Leadership and Real-World Impact
Hosting the inaugural AK-RT represents a significant milestone for Duy Tan University, underscoring its prominence in international tourism education and research. The event affirms Vietnam’s capacity to organize globally relevant academic and policy dialogues, and reinforces the university’s commitment to bridging academia, government, and industry through sustainable, outcome-driven partnerships.
Additionally, Da Nang City, as one of Vietnam’s leading tourism hubs, will benefit from international exposure, increased investment potential, and strengthened cross-border tourism collaboration.
Expanding the Dialogue: Connecting Policy, Academia, and Industry
AK-RT 2025 is not limited to policy dialogue. It also fosters multiple avenues of engagement:
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Business-Government Engagement
Tourism enterprises will have direct access to policy officials to discuss regulatory barriers and opportunities. -
Academic Exchange and Applied Research
Scholars can present evidence-based research, propose practical solutions, and build transnational research networks. -
Trends and Investment Opportunities
Participants will gain insights into digital transformation, sustainable tourism models, and emerging investment prospects across the region and beyond.
Participation and Registration
The Roundtable is open to a broad range of stakeholders with interests in ASEAN–Korea tourism development, including:
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Tourism businesses, travel agencies, and hospitality enterprises
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Educational and research institutions
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Government agencies and international organizations
🔗 Register now at:: https://www.ak-rt.org/
A Symbol of Multilateral Commitment and Regional Vision
The ASEAN–Korea Tourism Roundtable 2025 is more than an academic-policy forum; it is a symbol of multilateral commitment to building a sustainable, safe, and prosperous tourism future for the region. Hosting the event in Vietnam—a strategic destination—presents a golden opportunity to elevate national visibility while reaffirming the leadership role of institutions like Duy Tan University in international cooperation and sustainable development.
