10-year masterplan Asean pushes sustainable tourism

MANILA, Philippines - The 10-member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations presented a 10-year masterplan aimed at raising the region’s presence in the global market and boosting intra-regional travel.

“By 2025, ASEAN will be a quality tourism destination offering a unique, diverse ASEAN experience, and will be committed to responsible, sustainable, inclusive and balanced tourism development, so as to contribute significantly to the socio-economic well-being of ASEAN people,” the masterplan said.

The plan is comprised of 10 general actions to ensure strengthened relationship and sustainable growth among all member economies which include intensifying promotion and marketing, diversifying tourism products., attracting tourism investments, raising capacity and capability of tourism human capital, and implementing and expanding tourism standards.

The tourism ministers of ASEAN also agreed to expand connectivity and infrastructure, enhance travel facilitation, upgrade local communities and public-private sector participation in the tourism value chain, ensure safety and security, and increase responsiveness to environmental protection and climate change.

With the strategic programs being fully resourced and implemented, ASEAN gross domestic product (GDP) contribution to global GDP is expected to increase from 12 percent to 15 percent by 2025.

Tourism’s share of employment is also seen to rise seven percent from 3.7 percent while per capita spending by international tourists is expected to nearly double to $1,500 from $877 after 10 years.

The ASEAN member states recorded 98 million international visitors last year, up 7.3 percent from 2014.

Intra-ASEAN investors accounted for 42 percent of total international arrivals in 2015.

A memorandum of cooperation among ASEAN, China, Japan and Korea was also signed. It envisions a stronger relationship and enhanced capacity building among the nations.

The ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Cooperation will serve as the instrument for more action-oriented cooperation, encouraging countries to enhance facilitation of tourist visits and developing quality tourism.

The tourism ministers also adopted a new branding, Cruise Southeast Asia Brand, to strengthen the appeal of the industry and show the region’s desire to grow cruise tourism together.

Meanwhile, the region recognized establishments that promote sustainable tourism practices through adoption of environmental-friendly and energy conservation initiatives.

Philippine awardees include Amarela Resort, Amorita Resort and The Bellevue Resort in Bohol,  Baguio Country Club and The Manor at Camp John Hay in Baguio, Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort and Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan in Cebu, Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort in Palawan, Fundacion Pacita Nature Lodge in Batanes, and Pearl Farm in Davao del Norte.

This year’s ASEAN Tourism Forum also culminated with the awarding of the first ASEAN Homestay Standard Award that aims to enhance local quality of life and foster nature conservation through community education.

Awardees from the Philippines were Agan’s Homestay, Ates Homestay, Estelita Homestay, Xylla’s Homestay, and Daval Homestay, all in the province of Siquijor.

ATF 2016 marked the 35th anniversary of the event since its inauguration in Malaysia in 1981. It aims to project ASEAN as an attractive, multi-faceted single destination and to create and increase awareness of the region as a highly competitive tourist destination in the Asia-Pacific.

With the theme “One Community for Sustainability”, ATF 2016 brought more than 2,600 delegates, 460 exhibition booths from across the 10-member economies, and almost 500 international buyers from top markets such as Australia, France, Germany, India and Italy among others.

The next ATF will be hosted by Singapore on Jan.16 to 20, 2017 under the theme “Shaping our Tourism Journey Together.”