Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Doan Van Viet emphasized that the very important task of the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is to support, cooperate for mutual development and exploit intra-regional market.
According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Indonesia, on February 5, speaking at a press conference to announce the results ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2023, including ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting (M-ATM) 26th and related conferences in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta, Deputy Minister Doan Van Viet said that besides the traditional markets that have just experienced difficulties, ASEAN needs to continue to look for new markets and revise some policies related to air connectivity as well as visa policies.
Calling ASEAN to continue implementing tourism development strategies for the period 2016-2025 and adjusting and updating following the ASEAN Tourism Ministerial Meetings, Deputy Minister Doan Van Viet affirmed that culture is “a core value”. core” of ASEAN tourism and is a unique factor that helps countries in the region attract tourists.
Meanwhile, Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said that ASEAN countries are cohesive and cooperate effectively to provide unified travel packages. The conference also agreed to strengthen connectivity by identifying international and secondary airports that might be used to expand direct flights, not only to major destinations but also to emerging destinations. .
[ASEAN+3 thúc đẩy phục hồi và phát triển du lịch bền vững]
Ms. Christina said the Philippines will cooperate with other ASEAN countries to launch these flights this year in the form of commercial flights or charter flights, not only within ASEAN but also to other countries outside the region. especially India, China and Korea.
Ms. Christina affirmed that Manila fully supports the liberalization of visa policies and the seamlessness of visa issuance to ASEAN, and is willing to cooperate with other ASEAN countries in providing tourism packages. tourism for tourists from all over the world, thereby promoting post-pandemic recovery, not only in quantity, but also in quality.
Ms. Juliana Kua, Managing Director of the International Group under the Singapore Tourism Board, said that to develop sustainable tourism in the entire region, ASEAN needs to have a common understanding and a common plan.
On that basis, ASEAN has just completed a study on sustainable tourism development ASEANwhich builds on the post-COVID-19 impact assessment, as well as ASEAN’s existing comprehensive and sustainable tourism indicators.
For his part, Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said that the 26th M-ATM discussed measures and initiatives to enhance connectivity within ASEAN to facilitate travel and promote tourism. intra-regional tourism.
Besides seeking to increase flights from India, the Ministers also discussed collective efforts to attract Chinese tourists following the country reopens, in the spirit of ASEAN as ” single destination” and with the concept of “destination for all dreams.”
Minister Uno emphasized that in the context of the world facing many uncertainties and complicated fluctuations, ASEAN has emerged as the region “for stability, peace and friendship.”
The success of ATF 2023 sends a message to the rest of the world that ASEAN is coming together to recover and recover stronger – especially in terms of quality tourism and sustainable tourism – as well as diversity. of natural and cultural potential.
However, according to Mr. Uno, ASEAN tourism also needs to become more inclusive by attracting more micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as women and young people, and creating quality jobs. .
In addition, ASEAN tourism also needs to be an agent of change in climate issues with efforts to cut emissions, towards carbon neutrality by 2045.
Huu Chien (VNA/Vietnam+)
