Asean Remains A Favourite Tourist Destination

KUCHING (Sarawak, Malaysia), Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Asean continues to remain an attractive destination for both regional and international tourists as it recorded 90.2 million tourists in 2013, a 12 per cent increase over the 2012 figure. Asean tourism ministers gathered here also welcomed the good progress to date in the implementation of the Asean Tourism Strategic Plan 2011-2015, noting that 75 per cent of the measures for 2013 had been duly completed. "We will continue to monitor the completion of the remaining measures to support the timely realisation of the Asean Economic Community by 2015," they said in a joint statement. It was issued at the conclusion of the 17th Asean Tourism Ministers Meeting and the 13th Meeting of Asean Plus Three Tourism Ministers with China, Japan and South Korea. The meetings were held in conjunction with the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2014 here. Reading out the joint statement at a press conference Monday, Malaysian Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Aziz said the ministers endorsed the implementation of the Asean Tourism Framework in responding to climate change to ensure the sustainable development of tourism in the region. The ministers adopted the Asean Joint Declaration on the implementation of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Global Code of Ethics for Tourism to recognise the tourism sector's contribution to economic and social development in the region, namely in improving people's quality of life. They further said that the officials would continue to work closely with the relevant agencies to facilitate the development of the Asean Common Visa for non-Asean nationals and its possible implications on the tourism sector. In addition, the Asean ministers expressed appreciation to Malaysia for its support in completing the publication of 'The Magical Gardens of Asean' to promote parks and gardens in the region. They took note of the progress made in developing the Asean Ecotourism Strategic Plan that would serve as an effective tool in promoting sustainable economic development through the conservation of nature-based tourism in the region. The tourism ministers also took the opportunity to express sympathy to the government and people of the Philippines that was hit by the devastating Typhoon Haiyan last year. ATF 2015 will be held in Nay Pyi Daw, Myanmar in January 2015 with the theme, "Asean Tourism Towards Peace, Prosperity and Partnership". The Philipines will be the host nation for ATF 2016. -- BERNAMA