Aligning with the call to rebuild the tourism industry in the post-COVID-19 era, ICRTH2021 employed the theme “Rebuilding Tourism for the Future through Sustainable Development” to kickstart academic and professional discourse about responsible tourism.

The virtual conference was formally opened by the Deputy Minister of Tourism in Sarawak and the Director of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in Asia Pacific. It included 3 keynote speeches, 1 expert dialogue, 13 professional forums, and 8 professional workshops with 100 speakers from 28 countries. It was participated by more than 3,500 delegates across 96 countries. The event was also joined by representatives from Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and United Nations University, who shared their views about tourism recovery. The conference ended with a closing ceremony, chaired by the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Sarawak, where the declaration of Sarawak Commitment to Responsible Tourism was made on May 28. The Minister was accompanied by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary and the Conference Chair.