World Tourism Conference Malaysia 2025
In the wake of the global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, UN Tourism’s call to “Rethink Tourism – From Crisis to Transformation” set the stage for a fundamental paradigm shift. As of 2024, international tourism rebounded impressively with 1.4 billion arrivals globally—an increase of 115% from 2023. The Asia-Pacific region saw strong momentum, reaching 87% of pre-pandemic numbers.
This global resurgence has paved the way for a renewed vision: a tourism sector that leads in sustainable, inclusive, and resilient transformation. This is reflected in the 2025 World Tourism Day theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”, a timely and necessary call to reimagine tourism not only as a growth engine but also as a platform for equitable development, cultural and heritage preservation, protection of flora and fauna, environmental integrity and community resilience.
Sunday, 28 September 2025 | World Tourism Conference (Venue: Level 13, Grand Ballroom DoubleTree by Hilton, Melaka) | |
| 09:00 – 09:15 | Opening Remarks:
|
| 09:15 – 09:30 | SESSION 1: EMPOWERING ECONOMIES THROUGH INCLUSIVE TOURISM
|
| 09:30 – 10:00 | Keynote Address 1:
|
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 11:00 | Panel Discussion 1 |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | SESSION 2: FROM POLICY TO PRACTICE: SCALING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
|
| 11:30 – 12:30 | Panel Discussion 2 |
| 12:30 – 14:30 | Lunch / Break |
| 15:00 – 15:30 | SESSION 3: TOURISM IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND INNOVATION
|
| 15:30 – 15:45 | Coffee Break |
| 15:45 – 16:45 | Panel Discussion 3 |
| 16:45 – 17:00 | Closing Ceremony
|
| 20:00 – 22:00 | Hosted Dinner (TBC)* |
* (by invitation only)
Monday, 29 September 2025 | Technical Programme/Other Arrangement | |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | ASEAN Tourism Minister’s Summit (session I)* Venue: Level 13, Grand Ballroom DoubleTree by Hilton, Melaka)
|
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Coffee Break |
| 10:30 – 12:00 | ASEAN Tourism Minister’s Summit (session II)*
|
Technical Tour Arrangement | Monday, 29 September 2025 | |
| Option 1: Eco Cruise Melaka, Sungai Linggi | |
| 08:00 | Assemble (registered international participants only)
|
| 11:30 – 12:30 | Depart to Sungai Linggi, Melaka |
| Option 2: Dutch & Heritage Trail | |
| 14:30 | Assemble (registered international participants only)
|
| 15:00 – 19:00 | Depart to Jonker/ Bandar Hilir |
| Ministers’ Tour: Rasa-rasa Melaka - Culinary & Heritage Food Experience | |
| 15:00 | Assemble (Ministers only)
|
| 15:15 | Depart to Donald & Lily’s Kitchen @The Bendahari |
* (by invitation only)