ASEAN, South Korea Push Tourism Ties in Jakarta
The second ASEAN-Korea Roundtable in Tourism convened in Jakarta to strengthen cooperation between the two regions.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Asia
ASEAN and South Korea held the second ASEAN-Korea Roundtable in Tourism in Jakarta, a four-day forum running November 4 to 7 that brings together policymakers, industry representatives, academics and media. The meeting aims to produce policy recommendations for follow-up action on tourism cooperation.
Why it matters
ASEAN recorded roughly 147 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, and more than 9.6 million South Koreans visit the region each year. The forum seeks to deepen travel ties that matter to travelers and destinations across the region.
ASEAN recorded about 147 million international arrivals in 2025, with nearly 42 per cent from within the region, while the broader ASEAN Plus Three region welcomed around 244 million. The forum's policy recommendations and timeline for reaching the 20 million two-way visit goal remain unannounced.
The players
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
A regional intergovernmental organization of ten Southeast Asian countries that promotes economic, political and cultural cooperation across the region.
The details
Jakarta hosted the second ASEAN-Korea Roundtable in Tourism, where the ASEAN secretary-general delivered remarks by recorded video message. Discussions cover travel safety, tourist trust, workforce skills and cultural diversity under the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Cooperation Work Plan for 2026-2030.
Timeline
2025: ASEAN records about 147 million international tourist arrivals.
November 4-7, 2026: Four-day roundtable held in Jakarta.
November 5, 2026: ASEAN secretary-general delivers recorded video message.
2026-2030: ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Cooperation Work Plan period.
Travel Outlook
The roundtable operates within the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Cooperation Work Plan 2026-2030, which sets a multi-year framework for regional tourism measures. With the region drawing roughly 147 million international arrivals, the forum reflects a push to sustain that growth through intra-regional and bilateral cooperation.
Travelers planning trips between South Korea and Southeast Asia may see future policy changes on travel safety and tourist trust as the forum's recommendations are implemented. Those considering Asian travel can monitor announcements on visa and transit cooperation as the 2026-2030 work plan progresses.
The takeaway
Stronger regional tourism cooperation can make intra-Asian travel easier and more trusted, which benefits visitors and destinations alike. Watch for the forum's policy recommendations as a signal of how these goals will be pursued.
Further reading
For broader regional context, explore more Asia travel destinations coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TTG Asia.
