The 65th meeting of the tourism working group (TWG) of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation from July 28-31 is being held at the convention facility Songdo Convensia in Incheon's Yeonsu-gu District. Shown is a workshop on sustainable tourism on July 26 at the same venue. (APEC 2025's official Flickr account)

By Margareth Theresia

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on July 28 announced its hosting of the 65th meeting of the tourism working group (TWG) of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) at the convention center Songdo Convensia in Incheon's Yeonsu-gu District jointly with the Korea Tourism Organization.

The event is part of the third APEC Senior Officials' Meeting and Related Meetings to feature tourism ministries from APEC's 21 member states, international organizations and stakeholders in the industry to discuss cooperation in the travel sector.

The meeting began on July 28 with a joint workshop on tourism and artificial intelligence (AI) to discuss AI's potential in the sector as a follow-up to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)-Korea Forum on AI and Tourism.

About 80 figures including Chua Choon Hwa, deputy secretary general from the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and related officials from 18 APEC member states will attend the plenary session from July 29-31.

The meeting will discuss innovation in tourism based on digital technology and sustainable growth strategies focused on APEC's three key priorities for this year: connectivity, innovation and prosperity.

TWG participants will also experience tourism in Korea. On July 30, they will visit the National Museum of Korea and Seoul's trendy Seongsu-dong neighborhood, both of which are popular among foreign tourists.

A ministry official for policy said, "As vice chair of the TWG, the ministry will continue leading discussions on innovative and sustainable economic growth linked to tourism."

margareth@korea.kr