- Introduction
The ICA-AP Committee on Trade & Business in collaboration with ICA-AP Committee on Cooperatives in Educational Institutions (ICEI), is pleased to announce the ICA-AP Regional Immersion Programme on Cooperative Tourism, scheduled from 22–26 July 2026 in Pahang and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
To formally launch this flagship regional event and build momentum among prospective participants, the Committees plans to jointly host a Pre-Event Webinar on 15th May 2026 (Friday). This virtual gathering will serve as a preparatory platform to introduce the programme, share cooperative tourism experiences from across the Asia-Pacific region, and mobilise participation from member organisations in India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia and beyond.
The webinar aligns with the programme’s overarching theme “Coop Tourism-Unlocking Business Potential” and reflects the committee’s commitment to positioning cooperative tourism as both an educational endeavour and a commercially viable enterprise.
- Purpose
The Pre-Event Webinar is designed to:
- Formally launch the ICA-AP Regional Immersion Programme on Cooperative Tourism
- Generate awareness and participation among ICEI and Trade & Business Committee members across Asia-Pacific
- Showcase cooperative tourism models and experiences from diverse national contexts
- Provide prospective participants with a comprehensive preview of the July 2026 immersion programme in Malaysia
- Facilitate early dialogue among cooperatives on replicable tourism business models
- Objectives
By the conclusion of the Pre-Event Webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand the rationale, structure, and expected outcomes of the Regional Immersion Programme
- Gain insights into cooperative tourism practices from India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Malaysia
- Appreciate the business potential of cooperative tourism in generating income, youth employment, and community enterprise
- Connect with fellow cooperative leaders and identify potential areas for cross-border collaboration
- Make informed decisions on participation and institutional engagement in the July 2026 immersion event
- Activity Plan – Webinar Programme
Date & Time: 15 May 2026 | Time: 12:30 PM IST | Virtual Platform
|
|
Session |
Details |
Presenter/Host |
Time (TBC) |
|
Opening: Introduction |
Welcome of the Participants and Introduction of experts |
Brief welcome of the participants, introduction to the webinar, and introduction of the expert speakers. |
Secretary ICA-AP T & B Committee / Secretary, ICA-AP ICEI (TBC) |
12:00 – 12:05 PM IST |
|
Opening: Context Setting |
Context Setting & Opening Remarks |
Introduction to the Pre-event for the Regional Immersion Programme on Cooperative Tourism |
Prof. Takagawa, Chairperson, ICEI |
12:05 – 12:15 PM IST |
|
Session 1 |
Speaker 1 – India |
Cooperative Tourism Practice & School Cooperative Models: Experience from ULCCS, India |
Mr. Kishore Kumar, ULCCS, India TBC |
12:15 – 12:30 PM IST |
|
Session 2 |
Speaker 2 – Sri Lanka |
Cooperative Tourism as a Business Opportunity: National Cooperative Perspectives |
Mr. Asanka Thilakarathna, CEO/General Secretary, NCCSL, Sri Lanka |
12:30 – 12:45 PM IST |
|
Session 3 |
Speaker 3 – Philippines |
Community-Based Cooperative Tourism: Insights from the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives |
Dr. Divina Quemi, Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives, Philippines TBC |
12:45 – 1:00 PM IST |
|
Session 4 |
Speaker 4 – Malaysia (Host) |
Malaysia’s Cooperative Tourism Ecosystem – ANGKASA’s Homestay & Eco-Tourism Models; Preview of July 2026 Programme Sites |
Mr. Amran Hj. Husin |
1:00 – 1:15 PM IST |
|
Session 5 |
Programme Introduction |
Introduction to the ICA-AP Regional Immersion Programme on Cooperative Tourism – Objectives, structure, itinerary (22–26 July 2026, Malaysia) |
Dato’ Kamaruddin Ismail, Vice-Chair, ICEI
|
1:15 – 1:25 PM IST |
|
Open Forum |
Q&A and Discussion |
Participant questions, cross-country dialogue, and expressions of interest for July 2026 immersion |
All Speakers / Moderator |
1:25 – 1:35 PM IST |
|
Closing |
Vote of Thanks & Next Steps |
Summary of key highlights; Call for registration; Announcement of follow-up communication |
Datuk Seri Dr Hj Abdul Fattah bin Hj Abdullah President of ANGKASA
Chair of the ICA-AP Trade and Business Committee
|
1:35 – 1:45 PM IST |
Note: Moderator: Secretary ICA-AP T & B Committee / Secretary, ICA-AP ICEI (TBC)
- Date, Format & Logistics
|
Date |
15th May 2026 (Friday) |
|
Format |
Virtual Webinar (Zoom or equivalent platform) |
|
Duration |
Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes (TBC) |
|
Language |
English |
|
Registration |
Open to all, though link will be provided for registration |
|
Recording |
Session will be recorded and shared with registered participants |
- Target Participants
The Pre-Event Webinar is open to:
- Members of the ICA-AP Committee on Cooperatives in Educational Institutions (ICEI)
- Members of the ICA-AP Committee on Trade & Business
- Cooperative leaders, managers and educators from ICA-AP member organisations across Asia-Pacific
- Representatives of school cooperatives, apex cooperative bodies, and cooperative tourism operators
- National Cooperative Councils and Apex Bodies from the Asia-Pacific region
- Potential Speakers
The following distinguished speakers have been tentatively identified for the Pre-Event Webinar:
|
|
Speaker |
Organisation & Country |
Session Focus |
|
1 |
Mr. Kishore Kumar |
ULCCS (Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society) – India |
India Perspective on cooperative tourism ecosystem |
|
2 |
Mr. Asanka Thilakarathna, CEO / General Secretary |
National Cooperative Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) – Sri Lanka |
Sri Lanka Perspective on cooperative tourism ecosystem |
|
3 |
Dr. Divina Quemi |
Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives – Philippines |
Philippines Perspectives on cooperative tourism ecosystem |
|
4 |
Mr. Amran Hj. Husin |
Host Organisations of the July 2026 Main Event (To be coordinated by ANGKASA) |
Malaysia cooperative tourism ecosystem & preview of the immersion programme |
- Expected Outcomes
The Pre-Event Webinar is expected to achieve the following outcomes:
- Formal launch of the ICA-AP Regional Immersion Programme on Cooperative Tourism among Asia-Pacific cooperative networks
- Increased awareness and confirmed participation of at least 30–40 individuals from ICEI and Trade & Business Committee member organisations
- Cross-country sharing of cooperative tourism best practices and business models across four Asia-Pacific countries
- Clear understanding among participants of the July 2026 immersion programme’s logistics, costs (RM 570 / USD 150 per participant) and registration process
- Follow-Up Actions
Following the Pre-Event Webinar, the ICEI Secretariat will:
- Circulate the webinar recording and speaker presentations to all registered participants
- Issue formal invitation letters and registration forms for the July 2026 Immersion Programme
- Share detailed logistics information, including fees, accommodation, transportation, and programme itinerary
- Establish a coordination channel (email group or messaging platform) for registered participants
- Conclusion
The Pre-Event Webinar on 15th May 2026 marks the formal commencement of a milestone initiative for the ICA-AP cooperative movement. By bringing together cooperative leaders and practitioners from Asia-Pacific on a single virtual platform, the Committees aims to catalyse regional collaboration, inspire action, and collectively unlock the vast business potential that cooperative tourism holds across the region.
