No Longer Mainstream Destinations, ASEAN-Russia Charts New Tourism Course
Source: Antara/Yoseph Boli Bataona
The 5th ASEAN-Russia Tourism Ministers' Meeting agreed on joint measures to promote exploration of lesser-known destinations as part of efforts to expand Tourism Product diversification.
This agreement was reached during the 5th M-ATM Plus Russia in Cebu, Philippines, on Friday, January 30, 2026.
The meeting was chaired by Philippines Tourism Minister Christina Garcia Frasco and co-chaired by Director of Russia's Department of Economic Cooperation, Nikita Kondratyev.
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"Recognizing the importance of diversifying Tourism Products, the meeting encourages exploring ASEAN-Russian Federation thematic linkages, including lesser-known destinations, sub-regional Travel routes, and tourism experiences with longer stays," stated the joint declaration quoted in Jakarta on Friday.
During the meeting, Ministers noted significant potential in leveraging public-private partnerships and digital platforms to support market diversification while enhancing added value of tourism products from both regions.
ASEAN Tourism and Russian Ministers also reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN-Russia tourism cooperation in strengthening Cultural Exchange, deepening people-to-people connectivity, and supporting sustainable economic growth.
Tourist Visit data was reviewed during the meeting. ASEAN member state visitors to Russia reached 54,000 during January-September 2025.
Meanwhile, approximately 2.1 million Russian Federation citizens traveled to ASEAN countries through Q3 2025.
ASEAN and Russia also acknowledged successful implementation of the 2022-2025 ASEAN-Russian Federation Tourism Cooperation Work Plan, which facilitated productive cooperation in tourism exchanges, capacity building, and joint promotional activities.
Furthermore, Tourism Ministers welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN-Russian Federation Tourism Cooperation Work Plan 2026–2030.
This plan emphasizes strengthening tourism resilience, improving travel facilitation, developing digital and Sustainable Tourism, and enhancing tourism workforce development.
The meeting also noted the introduction of new cooperation areas, including digital tourism skills training for MSMEs, enhanced tourism analytics, and promotion of sustainable and inclusive tourism products and destinations.
