WIPO Academy, the ASEAN Secretariat and the WIPO Singapore Office teamed up to launch a website dedicated to the role of intellectual property (IP) in the tourism sector as an economic driver in the ASEAN region.
Access the Visit Southeast Asia website
The website is for businesses operating in the tourism sector in the ASEAN region, in addition to tourists and local communities interested in exploring how IP can shape travel experiences and sustainably support local economies. In particular, the website acts as a hub of resources, tools and examples from each ASEAN member state, showcasing products protected by geographical indications (GI), heritage-based experiences, innovative vacation destination spots, and traditional crafts that integrate IP rights and strategies into the tourism value chain.
How to use the website?
The website provides tourism industry stakeholders with inspiring and practical examples into ways IP could boost competitiveness and commercial prospects, guiding them on strategies they could employ to enhance IP management practices, increase market and brand value, and support the development of local communities.
Businesses and entrepreneurs in the tourism sector can use the website to discover:
- How IP enhances competitiveness of the local tourism industry and drive sustainable development?
- How creative industries, cultural heritage, and geographical indications (GIs) can add value to tourism?
- How IP can help attract global travelers, and build a more resilient and heritage-driven tourism industry?
Tourists and local communities can explore:
- How IP can shape travel experiences and ensure the authenticity of local products and traditions?
- How travel choices can support local economies and preserve traditions in the context of sustainable tourism?
The website launch event
The website was created in the framework of the WIPO Build Back Fund to help ASEAN countries use IP to enhance their tourism sector which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and forms a cornerstone of their economies.
It launched at a WIPO workshop at the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Johor, Malaysia from January 15 to 17, 2025, where the region’s premier tourism stakeholders and leaders gathered to discuss ways of developing a vibrant, sustainable and successful tourism industry.
The WIPO booth showcasing the website at the ASEAN Tourism Forum drew over 400 visitors who commented on its relevance and practical value.