ASEAN tourism ministers express their satisfaction

KUCHING - Sarawak capital Kuching had probably not seen such an international crowd from the tourism world for a long time. Some 1,800 delegates have flown into Kuching to participate to the newest edition of the ASEAN Travel Forum, ATF at both ministerial level and during the coming travel show. During the Travex which will open from tomorrow at the brand new Borneo Convention Centre, some 500 ASEAN exhibitors will meet over 500 buyers. “This is an absolute record for ASEAN which demonstrates how important the ATF remains for our entire tourism industry”, stressed Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who officially opened on Monday night the 31st ATF.

ASEAN continues to remain an attractive destination for both regional and international tourists; recording an increase of 14.51% and 9.9% arrivals respectively over 2012. In 2013, 90.2 million tourists visited ASEAN, reflecting a 12% increase as compared to 2012. If the three Asian partners of ASEAN (China PRC, Japan and South Korea) are included into the calculation, ASEAN + 3 recorded 230 million international arrivals, up by 4.4%. All the figures were provided by Mohammed Nazri Abdul Aziz, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia as the host and co-chairman of the ATF 2014.

The Minister stressed that ASEAN was continuing to progress successfully in implementing the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2011-2015 which prepares tourism stakeholders to the ASEAN Economic Community, which is due to start at the end of 2015. “We are pleased to announce that 75% of the measures for 2013 have been duly completed. We will continue to monitor the completion of the remaining measures to support the timely realisation of the AEC”, said Mohammed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

One of the most important tasks is the standardization of qualified personal and standards in the industry. “This will help to set qualification procedures to allow free movements of workers in the tourism sector. 32 standards have already adopted for professional workers”, indicated Indonesia Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Mari Pangestu. This will increase mobility in all the sectors of the tourism industry.

The ASEAN Tourism Qualifications Equivalent Matrix will serve as key references for the tourism industry and training institutions in delivering the programme under the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on tourism professionals. New training projects and activities will be implemented during the year. They include the implementation of the ASEAN Tourism Professional Registration System, a toolbox Development for Travel Agencies and Tour Operators, training of ASEAN Master Trainers and Master Assessors for Front Office, Food and Beverage Services and a pilot project for housekeeping under the MRA. A regional secretariat will be created with the support of Australia to watch out the implementation of the Mutual Recognition Agreement. Some nuances have been introduced in qualification standards for developed and developing countries. “For a country such as Myanmar which is still catch up to establish proper tourism standards, there will be a minimum competency standard at start”, indicated Htay Aung, Minister for hotels and tourism for the Union of Myanmar.

Progress were also noticed in further developing common ASEAN standards for green hotels, homestay, spa services, public toilets, clean tourist cities and also for community-based tourism. “A certification process is also due to enhance the quality of human resources, services and facilities in the region”, added Malaysia Minister of Tourism.

Another important issue –which is also linked to quality of tourism - is the improvement of land connectivity. With free movements of goods and people, ASEAN will experience from 2015 a sharp increase in mobility. Especially at land borders which need to improve the experience’s quality for the traveller. “We recognize a need to improve land connectivity in a bid to facilitate movements. Many countries have already signed bilateral, trilateral or even regional agreements to let private vehicles or tourist busses freely circulating from one country to another. We now need to expand it to the whole ASEAN and also turn some borders into multi-transportation checkpoints. We could then combine land and water means of transportation together“, acknowledged ASEAN Secretary General Le Luang Minh.

Another sensitive issue is how ASEAN will continue to deal with climate change and the natural catastrophes they generate. Over the last decade, ASEAN members have been more than ever affected by the climate warming. “Most countries are implementing policies to cut emissions. In Indonesia we are now committed to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 26% until 2020. But we also have to cope with various types of catastrophes. Japan is helping us to work on prevention for tsunamis and earthquakes- also flashfloods as we experienced recently in Manado and Jakarta are almost unpredictable or only in a very short time span”, indicated Indonesia Minister of Tourism Mari Pangestu.

Ministers are stressing the need to further implement transparency of information and a pedagogic work to explain where catastrophes take place and why they do not affect an entire country. “Of course, islands are more vulnerable. In the Philippines for example, a catastrophe affecting the central part of an island is likely to ruin most of the island. A catastrophe can meanwhile have a positive side. It forces us to rethink our development in a more sustainable way. For example, reconstructed houses will now be 40 meters away from the sea for a better protection of its inhabitants,” said Ramon Jimenez, State Secretary to the Philippines Department of Tourism.
The coming AEC in 2015 is also pushing ASEAN to become more efficient on its marketing. “We applaud progress made with ASEAN partners in jointly promoting and marketing ASEAN tourism activities, amongst others, social media marketing of ASEAN tourism on Sinaweibo website to tap the Chinese market. We also express appreciation to PATA and Travel Channel new initiative “PATA Love Campaign” which will promote ASEAN tourism destinations and tourism products through ASEAN Member States.”, added Mohammed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

The website revamps with a more attractive offer, the promotion of multi-country packages, the study of specialized tourism activities such as business travel , adventure tourism or a survey on ASEAN brand awareness is helping to diversify ASEAN image. Improving cruise tourism facilities continue to be fostered as well.

In 2014, new campaigns will focus on promotional activities based on themes such as “Tastes of Southeast Asia” and “Experience Diverse Traditions and Ways of Life”. Malaysia recently completed also the publication of the Magical Gardens of ASEAN to promote ASEAN Parks & Gardens as part of the ASEAN Ecotourism Strategic Plan.

While little has been said about a future common ASEAN visa, ASEAN increasingly speaks with one single voice. In a region, where most countries fight each other for centuries, succeed in speaking with only one voice is not the least of ASEAN merits!

The ATF 2015 will be hosted in Nay Pyi Daw, the new Myanmar administrative capital in January 2015 under the theme “ASEAN Tourism Towards Peace, Prosperity and Partnership”. The Philippines have confirmed that they will be the host nation for ATF 2016.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews