ASEAN announces joint tourism campaigns

NAY PYI TAW, January 26 (TNA) - Member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have announced their collaborative and sustainable tourism promotional campaigns to boost international tourist arrivals in the region. Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul told journalists of the update on Monday, after a meeting of ASEAN tourism ministers, the 18th of its kind, held in Nay Pyi Taw, as part of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2015 (ATF 2015), organized at the Myanmar's capital from January 22-29. Kobkarn said as the ASEAN Community (AC) is scheduled to be formed by the end of this year, ASEAN member states have worked out and agreed on the 10-year regional tourism plan to be jointly implemented from 2016-2025. Kobkarn revealed that the plan promotes inclusive tourism in ASEAN, in which all parties will receive good care and incomes will be distributed and sustainable tourism will be guaranteed. According to the Thai minister, about 97 million international tourists have visited ASEAN member states, a 3 per cent growth, and 53 of them are ASEAN citizens. In case of Thailand, the minister acknowledged, Thailand has attracted quality intra-ASEAN tourists and will use online media to reach young travelers. Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports Suwat Sidthilaw then told journalists that a secretariat will be established in Indonesia to coordinate ASEAN tourism promotion and the establishment should be sealed at the next ASEAN tourism ministers' meeting in April 2015. Meanwhile, the Pacific Asia Travel Association reported that its surveys have found ASEAN teenagers now like to visit communities and share local activities, rather than going to luxury destinations. (TNA)