Meeting in South Korea for the 27th Inter-Island Tourism Policy Forum from October 28 to 30, 2026, subnational island governments expanded their nearly three-decade-old cooperation network by admitting two new regions and launching a commercial marketplace with the Pacific Asia Travel Association.
The gathering brought approximately 450 participants from 16 countries to Jeju Stone Park for discussions centered on the climate crisis, digital transformation, and responsible travel. Delegations representing 12 member regions adopted a joint statement addressing shared pressures, while organizers announced that Zanzibar will host the following forum in 2027.
Expansion to Europe and South America After Thirteen Years
Founded in 1997 by the administrations of Jeju, Bali, Hainan, and Okinawa, the Inter-Island Tourism Policy Forum connects island regions facing comparable destination choices despite operating within different national systems. The network expanded its footprint by officially admitting Ecuador’s Galápagos Province and Greece’s South Aegean Region. Wang Lei, deputy director-general of the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province, led a delegation to the sessions and met with regional leaders to reinforce high-level exchanges to strengthen high-level exchanges and practical cooperation.
During the visit, Wang paid a courtesy call on Wi Seong-gon, Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and met with representatives from other member regions to build consensus on utilizing the platform. The current membership comprises Jeju in South Korea, Bali in Indonesia, Hainan in China, Okinawa in Japan, Sri Lanka’s Southern Province, Hawai‘i in the United States, Zanzibar in Tanzania, Phuket in Thailand, Cebu in the Philippines, Penang in Malaysia, Ecuador’s Galápagos, and Greece’s South Aegean.
The admissions mark the first time the network has grown since 2013, extending a membership historically concentrated across Asia and the Pacific into South America and Europe. Alongside regional delegations, representatives from UN Tourism participated in leaders’ roundtables and discussions on sustainable development goals.
Commercial Marketplaces and Regional Delegations at Jeju Stone Park
For the first time, the forum integrated a business matchmaking event into its program, collaborating with the Pacific Asia Travel Association to facilitate joint tourism product development and connect island suppliers directly with wider industry networks. The inaugural travel mart featured 30 sellers and 30 buyers.
Member regions utilized the gathering to showcase local destination strategies.
Measurable Results and the Road Ahead for Zanzibar
While the forum maintains a continuous archive of policy seminars, evaluating concrete economic or environmental outcomes remains difficult.
The forum flag was formally handed over during the Jeju opening to representatives of Zanzibar, which is preparing to host the 28th forum in 2027.
