‘ASEAN for ASEAN’ campaign

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has revealed its new economic strategy to build recognition and attract visitors, ‘ASEAN for ASEAN’.

The campaign will be rolled out by 2015, accompanied by a slew of special promotions in co-operation with the growing markets such as Australia, China, India, Japan and Korea.

The strategy aims to continue double digit tourism growth.

Tourism Authority of Thailand deputy governor Sansern Ngaorungsi praised the 2015 plan.

“While ASEAN's niche, tactical campaigns will target sectors such as adventure, experiential, business and long stay, and show the diversity of ASEAN, mass tourism demand for mainstream attractions is expected to keep growing and bring important economic benefits to ASEAN destinations,” he said.

ASEAN secretary-general Dr Surin Pitsuwan, together with ASEAN tourism ministers, designed the new strategy to build global recognition of Southeast Asian countries as competitive destinations.

“Each [country] has its own unique attractions, we will capitalize on the sophisticated marketing capacity and resources of our individual national tourism organisations (NTO’s) to spread the word,” DR Pitsuwan said.

Southeast Asia NTO’s will also emphasize the region’s new marketing plan at the ASEAN Tourism Forum which will take place in Vientiane, Laos 17-24 January 2013.

ASEAN destinations attracted 81.2 million visitors last year, equalling an average increase of one million visitors each year for the last two decades.

Sourced: etravelblackboardasia