By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 9: Sarawak, through the Sarawak Research Society (SRS) and Responsible Borneo (REBORN), continues to demonstrate its leadership in the global responsible tourism movement by co-organising the 5th International Conference on Responsible Tourism and Hospitality (ICRTH) 2025, held in Cavite, Philippines, from June 16 to 20.
Held under the theme “Responsible Tourism for Sustainable Transformation and Inclusive Societies,” the conference brought together over 300 participants from more than 15 countries, including academics, policymakers, industry leaders, and community stakeholders across Southeast Asia and beyond.
According to a media release, the event served as a platform to exchange knowledge, foster cross-sectoral collaboration, and advance sustainable and inclusive tourism development.
The conference was officially opened by Deputy Minister for Tourism, on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Datuk Sebastian Ting.
His presence underscored the Sarawak government’s firm commitment to positioning the State as a regional leader in responsible tourism.
This year’s edition was co-hosted with Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) in Manila and Cavite, and supported by the Philippines Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and the Philippine Association of Researchers for Tourism and Hospitality (PARTH).
The ICRTH 2025 programme featured academic paper presentations, industry panels, post-conference workshops, and the Responsible Tourism Fieldwork that provides participants with immersive experiences in local tourism practiced.
The fieldwork, a hallmark of ICRTH, was designed to deepen delegates’ understanding of the transformative role of tourism in social and environmental sustainability.
Looking ahead, Sarawak will proudly host ICRTH 2026 in Miri in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, further solidifying its position as a regional hub for responsible tourism research, policy, and practice. — DayakDaily
