Asean Sees Rise In Number Of Tourists
By M K Anwar

Bandar Seri Begawan - There was an eight per cent increase in the number of tourists coming into Asean in 2006 as compared to 2005 with 49 per cent coming from intra-Asean travel.

This was noted during the recently concluded 10tAsean Tourism Minister Meeting (10-ATM) and the Asean Tourism Minister Meeting with the Ministers of Tourism of China, Japan and Korea (ATM+3) held in Singapore from January 29 to February 5. Representing Brunei Darussalam at the meeting was the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Dato Dr Awang Hj Ahmad bin Hj Jumat.

The meeting itself was co-chaired by Mr S Iswaran, Singapore Minister of State for Trade and Industry, and Dr Suvit Yodmani, Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports.

Brunei welcomed the development achieved by Asean especially by the taskforce of senior tourism official.

Pehin Dato Dr Awang Hj Ahmad said cooperation between government and non-government bodies in Asean as well as Asean's dialogue partners in developing and implementing tourism activities inAsean is important for the success and development of the Asean tourism industry.

The minister also believed that the meeting has given an opportunity for Asean countries and its dialogue partners to exchange views, experiences and procedures in their efforts to make Asean an interesting collective destination for tourists.

Brunei further welcomed the efforts and development that were achieved in the meeting including the preparation of Asean Communication Manual to face crisis, cooperation with non-governmental bodies like Asean-Japan Centre and ASEANTA in developing Asean tourism.

Brunei has also extended invitations to senior officials from China and Korea to participate in the Asean Tourism Forum 2008 for joint discussion with Asean to accelerate the establishment of the Asean-China Centre and the Asean Republic of Korea Centre.

At the same time on February 5, the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources made a working visit to the Singapore Tourism Board and to the office of the Singapore Hotel Association as well as conducting discussions with these bodies for a possible cooperation.

Meanwhile, in relation to tourist increase, the ministers at the meeting voiced their continuing commitment to the Asean Roadmap for Tourism Integration in strengthening Asean's attraction as a tourist destination.

Towards this, the ministers requested every party, government or non-government, who have interest in the tourism industry to cooperate in developing this Industry further.

Also noted during the meeting were several improvements done by National Tourism Organisation at senior official level in the branding and joint promotion of Asean as well as improving the connectivity within Asean, cooperation in crisis communication, youth exchange and capability and quality assurance.

Understanding the importance of cooperation with dialogue partners such as China, Japan, Korea, India and Russia, the ministers also welcomed the efforts to establish the Asean-People's Republic of China and the Asean Republic of Korea centres as a focal point to improve tourism for both the region and country. This has already been implemented by the Asean-Japan Centre.

Ministers also welcomed continuing consultation with India and Russia, which can contribute to the easy connectivity and at the same time increase the inflow of tourists from the two countries.

Senior Asean Tourism officials were further called upon by the ministers to prepare the main elements of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for Asean professional tourism expected to be signed in Bangkok in 2008. MRA is expected to expedite the movement of professional tourists among the Asean region and also increase the quality of human resources in the tourism industry.

The next Asean Tourism Ministers meeting will take place in Bangkok, Thailand in January 2008 while Vietnam is expected to be the host of the meeting in 2009. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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