ASEAN Tourism: A Destination for Every Dream

About the Artist Hello! My name is Bobby Satya Ramadhan, but you can call me Bobby. I am a cartoonist and illustrator from Jakarta. I like to draw what I see in my everyday life, taking mundane things and turning them into something new. I am currently working on a comic book project that illustrates the life of legendary Indonesian artist and performer from the 1960s, Benyamin Sueb. I am also part of Lazy Sunday Zine Club (@lzsun.zine). You can see my work on Instagram at @bobbysatyar.

The 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings marked the culmination of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025. Under the theme, “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” Malaysia prioritised strengthening ASEAN Centrality, enhancing ASEAN intra-trade and investment, and embedding inclusivity and sustainability in regional Community- building efforts. The summit witnessed a historic milestone as ASEAN Leaders formally signed the accession instrument to welcome Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s 11th Member State. During t

In a historic occasion for the region, the Signing of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN took place at the Opening Ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, held on 26 October 2025. The Declaration was signed by ASEAN Leaders together with the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, marking the ASEAN Leaders’ consent to accept Timor-Leste as the 11th Member State of ASEAN. This achievement is the result of years of close cooperation between ASEAN and Timor-Leste.

The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, participated in an interface session with regional media ahead of the opening of the 9th ASEAN Media Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 6 November 2025. During this interactive session, SG Dr. Kao shared insights on ASEAN’s major milestones and key deliverables achieved under Malaysia’s Chairmanship in 2025, while highlighting the region’s collective efforts to advance ASEAN’s priorities and address emerging challenges. The discussion provided

The ASEAN Media Forum (AMF) was initially convened on 4 August 2017 in Manila, Philippines, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN. Since that inaugural meeting, the AMF has evolved into a well-established regional platform that fosters connections among journalists, media leaders, and policymakers. Its mission is clearly defi ned: to facilitate the exchange of critical insights, enhance collaboration, and articulate the ongoing development of the ASEAN Community. The organisation of the A

And now, the end is here. It seems only yesterday we assumed our ASEAN Chairmanship 2025. Malaysia hosted over 20 meetings and events under my ministry, while leading pillar coordination and reporting of more than 140 programs across 15 sectoral bodies. As the 2025 ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Chair for the past year, we have gained many valuable insights. The experience has been phenomenal.

Inclusivity is not just rhetoric in ASEAN’s new 20-year vision; it is written into the political, economic, and socio-cultural strategic plans that will shape Southeast Asia through 2045.

Goa, India, where easy days drift into lively nights, has attracted countless travellers for generations, making it a perfect place to gather young minds. It was fi tting that this storied destination hosted the 5th ASEAN-India Youth Summit in the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism. Held from 27 to 31 August 2025, the summit was organised by India Foundation in collaboration with the ASEAN Foundation and supported by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the State Government of Goa, an

The past few years have tested the very foundations of global tourism. For the Philippines, an archipelagic nation whose lifeblood is travel, hospitality, and human connection, the challenges have been both profound and transformative. We faced not only closed borders and halted flights, but also the deeper question of how tourism must evolve—to be more resilient, more purposeful, and more human-centred in a rapidly changing world.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global disruptions, Brunei Darussalam responded by realigning its tourism strategy toward sustainable practices including regenerative tourism that emphasises environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and community- based experiences. The pandemic signifi cantly altered tourists’ expectations, with growing demand and tourist preferences for nature-based, community-based, cultural, and niche experiences.

The COVID-19 pandemic and recent geopolitical disruptions have signifi cantly impacted Cambodia’s tourism sector, leading to notable shifts and trends within the tourism industry. In recent years, despite these challenges, Cambodia has shown strong resilience, with tourist arrivals rebounding signifi cantly in 2023 and keeping pace in 2024 and 2025. In 2024, Cambodia welcomed 6.7 million international visitors. Domestic tourism has seen remarkable growth, serving as a buffer against internationa

Indonesia has come a long way in reviving its tourism sector after the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. From a crisis that demanded drastic changes, Indonesia renewed its commitment to building an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient tourism ecosystem.

Malaysia stands out as a beacon of resilience and transformation in the evolving global tourism landscape. With travellers increasingly seeking meaningful, sustainable, and immersive experiences, the country has responded with a bold reimagining of its tourism sector. Emphasising sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, Malaysia is positioning itself as a premier destination that is culturally rich, environmentally conscious, and attuned to the expectations of today’s global travellers. Stre

The nature of tourism has traditionally focused on international tourists who travel beyond their usual environment for leisure, business, or cultural experiences. This cross-border movement is a key driver of the global tourism economy, as international visitors contribute signifi cantly to host countries through spending on transportation, accommodation, food, attractions, and other services.

Singapore has unveiled tourism 2040, a bold vision for its tourism sector to become a global hub for innovation and sustainable tourism growth. as part of this vision, the city-state projects tourism receipts to reach between 47 billion and 50 billion Singapore dollars by 2040— 1.7 times the amount achieved in 2024.

Tourism is recognised as one of the sectors that has been dramatically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has profoundly reshaped tourist behaviour, giving rise to several emerging trends that are likely to defi ne the future of the tourism sector. These include a growing preference for shorter trips to nearby destinations, rising demand for deeper engagement with the local culture, history, and lifestyle, as well as a shift towards sustainable and responsible tourism as tourists be

As Timor-Leste formally accedes to ASEAN as the organisation’s 11th member, tourism stands as a cornerstone of our nation’s economic transformation. Our vision is clear: to develop a sustainable, inclusive, and well-managed tourism sector that leverages our extraordinary natural assets, vibrant cultural heritage, and strategic location in Southeast Asia’s most biodiverse region.

Viet Nam’s tourism sector has staged a remarkable post-pandemic recovery, emerging as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing destinations. Following the reopening in 2022, international arrivals rose from 3.7 million in 2022 to approximately 17.6 million in 2024, equivalent to 98 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. Momentum continued into 2025, with around 15.4 million international visitors in the fi rst nine months of the year, while domestic travel remained strong at 119 million trips. Tourism

Tourism has always been more than leisure—it is about discovery, cultural exchange, and building connections that endure long after the journey ends. This spirit lies at the heart of the ASEAN–India Year of Tourism 2025, an initiative designed to strengthen people-to-people ties, deepen cultural appreciation, and enhance economic collaboration between ASEAN and India.

The annual ASEAN Tourism Awards, presented at the ASEAN Tourism Forum, recognise top tourism performers based on standards developed by ASEAN. The recipients of the 2025 ASEAN Tourism Awards were as follows: 30 establishments for the ASEAN Homestay Award; 41 communities for the ASEAN Community-Based Tourism; 41 venues for the ASEAN Public Toilet Award; and 42 establishments for the ASEAN Spa Services Award. Here, we feature some of the 2024 and 2025 recipients of the ASEAN Tourism Awards.

Walking on foreign soil, breathing the air, and taking in scents so different from home once felt like an experience only a privileged few could afford. Over the last decade, however, access to information has opened doors and made travel possible for many. Daunting visa applications and gaps in infrastructure still stand in the way, yet the appetite for discovering the colours of the wider world continues to grow among ASEAN citizens. The ASEAN speaks with Chandra and Titik Badudu, an Indonesia

Founded in 2009 in the heritage town of Hoi An, Viet Nam, STREETS International is a 14-month culinary and hospitality training programme that opens doors for disadvantaged youth aged 17 to 25. The programme is entirely free and goes well beyond technical training. Each trainee receives classroom lessons paired with hands-on practice in professional kitchens and hospitality services, along with nutritious meals, supervised housing, uniforms, a modest monthly allowance, basic healthcare, and a su