Asean sets joint program for cruise tourism

MANILA, Philippines -  Recognizing the potential of cruise as a driver of tourism growth, the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to develop a joint plan to collectively position the region as a major cruise destination.

In a joint statement, the respective tourism ministers of ASEAN states reiterated their commitment to advance the cruise industry in the region.

They highlighted the potential of the industry, which is projected to grow with 4.5 million passengers in 2035 as compared to 450,000 last year.

“In support, they (the ministers) agreed to develop a Joint Declaration on Cruise Tourism as part of the cruise workplans under the ASEAN Tourism Competitiveness Committee,” the statement read.

The ministers said the joint declaration would lay out the principles that would spur port and destination development in Southeast Asia, as well as encourage industry players to participate in this undertaking.

Cruise tourism is on the top of the association’s priorities this year in terms of product development.

In relation to this, Singapore, as the ASEAN lead coordinator for cruise development, organized an inaugural cruise dialogue attended by government officials, industry stakeholders and potential investors.

Aside from cruise development, the tourism ministers have also agreed to put measures to enhance the capability and mobility of tourism professionals in the region.

They agreed to craft a work plan for the implementation of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals spanning 2017 to 2020.

ASEAN tourism ministers also emphasized the need to improve capabilities in tourism statistics and analytics and to leverage more on digital marketing.

Senior officials of each National Tourism Organization in ASEAN were also requested to prepare a tourism investment program, which identifies opportunities to enhance tourism infrastructure and product development in each country.

Based on preliminary figures, the whole ASEAN region is expected to receive 116 million international visitors in 2016, 6.5 percent higher than previous year’s figures.

The bulk or 43 percent, of the arrivals were contributed by intra-ASEAN travelers.

The ministers expressed confidence that the region would reach its target foreign arrivals of 121 million this year driven by the enhanced connectivity within Southeast Asia.

All member states have developed a regional tourism campaign, “Visit ASEAN@50: Golden Celebration,” in celebration of ASEAN’s 50th year anniversary this 2017.

The campaign aims to present ASEAN as a single and united tourism destination.