Cruise Tourism, Latest Focus In Asean Tourism Cooperation

By Ahmad Fuad Yahya MANADO (North Sulawesi), Jan 12 (Bernama) -- Cruise Tourism, a multi-billion ringgit industry has now become the latest focus of tourism cooperation among Asean countries. Malaysia's Minister of Tourism Dr Ng Yen Yen said the idea to develop the new product which had high potential to contribute to the national economies of member countries had been agreed to by Asean tourism ministers. Cruise tourism generates economic returns in providing related services especially in food supply and water at the ports of call. It is very popular in Carribean island countries and the Mediteranean, where the industry is well developed. "In Asean, we do not have a network of connectivity for this product. The time has come for Asean countries to develop this segment of the tourism industry for the benefit of the region," Ng told reporters after attending the Asean Tourism Ministers meeting here Wednesday. Ng, who is scheduled to be here till Sunday, will be taking part in the Asean Tourism Forum here Thursday. At Wednesday's meeting, Asean Tourism Ministers attended a briefing by a representative of the Royal Carribean Cruise, which is based in Miami, Florida, United States. The briefing focused on the potential of cruise tourism in Asean. The meeting Wednesday also saw how China was working to develop this industry in the northern provinces of the country. Ng sadi she was confident Asean countries could also capitalise on opportunities from the cruise tourism offered by China by providing ports of call. "We must understand a cruise ship will stop at various ports of call. Therefore there will be benefits as transit centres for these ships and the opportunities should be grabbed by Asean countries," she said. Malaysia, said the minister, had the desire to develop this segment of tourism and a programme was being studied by Malaysia's Economic Planning Unit (EPU) as the idea had been listed as a key economic driver. At the meeting Wednesday, the Ministers of Tourism also pledged to promote the region as a tourism brand especially with the introduction of destinations based on world heritage in member countries as recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). Ng also held a meeting with the Governor of North Sulawesi Dr S.H. Sarundajang on the sidelines of the meeting at a separate location. -- BERNAMA