The International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific will host a regional pre-event webinar titled “Coop Tourism, Unlocking Business Potential” on May 15, 2026, ahead of its Regional Immersion Programme on Cooperative Tourism scheduled to be held in Pahang and Kuala Lumpur from July 22 to 26.
The webinar is being organised by ICA-AP’s Committee on Cooperatives in Educational Institutions (ICEI) in collaboration with the Committee on Trade and Business. The virtual session will bring together cooperative leaders, educators, and tourism stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss how cooperative tourism can support community enterprises, local livelihoods, and youth engagement.
According to organisers, the webinar will serve as a formal launch platform for the immersion programme and provide participants with an overview of successful cooperative tourism initiatives from different countries. Speakers from India, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Malaysia will share country experiences and business models that combine tourism with cooperative development.
Opening remarks will be delivered by Shogo Takegawa. Presentations are expected from representatives of the ULCCS, National Council for Cooperatives in Sri Lanka, the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives, and Malaysia’s cooperative sector.
The session will also feature an introduction to the immersion programme by Kamaruddin Ismail, while closing remarks will be delivered by Abdul Fattah bin Hj Abdullah. Organisers said the initiative reflects growing interest in cooperative tourism as a sustainable model for regional economic development and cultural exchange.