Impact of Creative Economies on the Future of Tourism in the APEC Region

ECONOMIESON THE FUTURE OF TOURISMIN THE APEC REGION APEC Tourism Working GroupFebruary2025 Impact of Creative Economieson the Future of Tourism inthe APECRegion APEC Tourism Working Group February 2025 APEC Project:TWG 01 2023 Produced by:Senior ConsultantALEX PAREDES LAZOalex@planeas.com Supported by:Vice Ministry of Tourism of the Ministry of ForeignTrade and Tourism of Peru (MINCETUR) ForAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Secretariat35 Heng Mui Keng TerraceSingapore 119616Tel: (65) 68919 600Fax: (65) 68919 690Email: info@apec.orgWebsite: www.apec.org ©2025APEC Secretariat APEC#225-TO-01.1 Cover image:Image generated by artificial intelligence@MINCETUR EXECUTIVESUMMARY The Handbook of Training Materials, whichaims to design and develop a TrainingMaterials Manual to include and promote thedevelopment of creative economies in thecontext of tourism, share existing experiencesand best practices.2 This handbook is a document commissioned byAPEC on the impact of creative economies on thefuture of tourism, a research project that began inDecember 2023. This research and handbook were led by ÁlexParedes Lazo, a senior consultant in creativeeconomies and territories, together withElayne Bione and Antonio Iturra as the contentdevelopment team. To achieve this, a series of actions were carried out,including a survey of 91 agents from 12 economies,interviews with 6 experts in creative economies andthe tourism industry, a forum with 14 presentationsby speakers and authorities, and a workshop for thedevelopment of initiatives with 53 APEC agents. This document is subdivided into two parts: Research on the ways in which creativeindustries contribute to the growth anddevelopment of tourism and identifystrategies to enhance the symbioticrelationship between them. For this purpose,the research investigated how creativeindustries contribute to the growth anddevelopment of tourism and identifiedstrategies to improve their symbioticrelationship. This research focused on twokey materials:1 Among the main conclusions, it is highlightedthat; creative economies are the primary sourceof innovation for tourism; there are greateropportunities for women’s leadership at theintersection of both industries; when localcommunities manage cultural heritage, they achievethe social cohesion necessary for sustainabledevelopment; and early education is essential forfostering environmental awareness, with creativeeducational content becoming tools for futurechange. •25 case studies, which analyze the roleof cultural heritage, the impact on womenin relation to creative economies, creativetourism initiatives, events, festivals, andtechnological innovation to enhancevisitor experiences. •15 application toolsthat facilitate thedevelopment and implementation in thetourism industry where creativity plays aprominent role. INDEX EXECUTIVE SUMMARYINTRODUCTIONRESEARCH WORKMETHODOLOGICAL DESIGNTHEORETICAL FRAMEWORKCREATIVE ECONOMYTOURISM INDUSTRYGENDER EQUALITY IN TOURISM AND CREATIVE ECONOMIESSTRENGTHENING OF WOMEN IN TOURISMGENDER EQUALITY GAPS IN CREATIVE INDUSTRYIMPACT OF CREATIVE ECONOMIES ON THE FUTURE OF TOURISMRECOMMENDATIONS FOR DECISION MAKERS ON PUBLIC POLICIESHANDBOOK OF TRAINING MATERIALSTHE SURVEYPRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF THE SURVEYINTERACTIONS BETWEEN CREATIVE ECONOMIES AND TOURISMCROSS-CUTTING DIMENSIONSSURVEY APPLICATIONKEY CONCEPTS FROM ANSWERSANALYSIS OF INTERACTIONS BETWEEN SECTORSCO-CREATION EVENTAGENDAMAIN CONCLUSIONS OF THE PRESENTATIONINITIATIVE GATHERING WORKSHOP - WORLD CAFÉMAIN CONCLUSIONS FOR THE INITIATIVE GATHERING WORKSHOP48910121213141516202835363638394042444646484958 MAIN CONCLUSIONS OF THE INTERVIEWS WITH SPECIALISTSFINAL CONCLUSIONSANNEXESAPPENDIX 1: CASE STUDIESCOMMON ELEMENTS BETWEEN THE CASE STUDIESAPPENDIX 2: PRACTICAL TOOLS AVAILABLERESUME OF BEST PRACTICES FROM THE PREVIOUS CASESAPPENDIX 3: PRESENTATIONS OF SPEAKERSGREETINGS FROM AUTHORITIESSESSION I: POWER OF THE ARTS IN TOURISM SECTORSESSION II: DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVE ECOSYSTEMS: COLLABORATION BETWEENCREATIVE AND TOURISM SECTORSSESSION III: TECHNOLOGIES, MAKER MOVEMENT AND TOURISM ENTREPRENEURSHIPIN CREATIVE TOURISM: INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGIES IN TOURISMAPPENDIX 4:INTERVIEWS WITH SPECIALISTSSUMMARY OF EXPERT INTERVIEWSBIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES606264657880899192949698100107109 INTRODUCTION Tourism in the economies of the APEC region isundergoing continuous and evolving changes overtime. Creative industries emerge as fundamentalelements for sustainable growth by providinginnovative cultural experiences that enrich visitors’stays. Elements such as urban or traditional art,local or contemporary music, creative design,historical heritage, and unique gastronomyadd special value to tourist destinations, thuscapturing the interest of travelers seeking authenticexperiences. These contributions not only havea positive impact on the visited areas and localcommunities but also promote economic growththroughout the region. The beginning of this stud