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This gathering of global leaders, investors, and innovators aims to foster innovative financing mechanisms and strategies that enhance investment opportunities and maximize sector-wide impact.

【Reflection】
UN Tourism featured prominently at EXPO 2025 in Osaka through the organisation of its flagship event. This high-level gathering placed tourism at the very heart of EXPO 2025’s narrative, showcasing its central role in shaping inclusive, sustainable, and culturally enriching futures.
The event brought together diverse stakeholders, including representatives from the UN World Tourism Organization, Japanese government officials, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, hotel operators, and startup support organisations. UN Tourism demonstrated clear leadership by convening these stakeholders to explore how investment in tourism can contribute to building more resilient, equitable, and future-ready societies.

A key focus was placed on promoting “smart tourism” and “impact investment” that integrate digital transformation and climate change responses, while emphasising community participation and cultural preservation. Specific case studies from Japan, such as regional revitalisation projects, digital transformation (DX) in tourism, and sustainable hotel operations adopting EDGE certification, were highlighted to illustrate the multi-dimensional value and socio-economic impact of tourism investment. Additionally, data demonstrating the leadership of the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions in foreign direct investment (FDI) in tourism further emphasised the global growth potential of the sector.

This forum served as a vital opportunity to reaffirm that tourism goes beyond being a driver of economic growth—it is also a key to social inclusion, cultural protection, environmental regeneration, and collaborative stakeholder engagement for a sustainable future.


【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Following the momentum generated at EXPO 2025, UN Tourism has intensified efforts to translate this into concrete action. Building on the success of the flagship event, the organisation has launched a series of initiatives aimed at mobilising investment in sustainable tourism, strengthening public-private partnerships, and promoting innovation and digital transformation across the sector.
In particular, UN Tourism is focusing on supporting community participation through targeted financial aid and capacity-building programmes, helping to revitalise regional economies while preserving local culture, thereby enhancing resilience.

Efforts are also underway to promote the adoption of smart tourism technologies and green infrastructure to address climate change, alongside encouraging sustainable operational models in the hotel sector through support for EDGE certification and climate tech.

UN Tourism continues to foster collaboration with startups and innovators to accelerate new technologies and business models, aiming to strengthen the tourism industry's competitiveness and sustainability.

Moreover, initiatives to promote emerging travel styles, such as multi-generational and slow tourism, are being advanced to enhance tourism quality and reduce overtourism.

International cooperation remains a priority, with emphasis on strengthening networks and knowledge sharing in the Asia-Pacific region to promote cultural and economic exchange through tourism.
Through these ongoing efforts, UN Tourism is committed to turning the vision shared at EXPO 2025 into practical outcomes that support a sustainable, resilient, and diverse tourism future.