A brand new ASEAN marketing campaign has been launched to encourage more tourists to go to the region, spend more and stay longer.
The Visit ASEAN@50 campaign coincides with ASEAN’s fiftieth anniversary and can promote the 50 best festivals and 50 most memorable travel experiences within the region.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong launched the campaign yesterday on the opening of the five-day ASEAN Tourism Forum, which was attended by 750 participants, including representatives of ASEAN countries.
The campaign goals to extend international tourist arrivals to the region by 10 per cent to 121 million, with spending reaching US$83 billion (A$118 billion) and the common length of stay to 6 to seven days by the top of the 12 months. Lee noted that achieving the goal level of tourism arrivals was “completely achievable”.
He suggested 3 ways to transcend the marketing campaign and boost tourism growth within the region: strengthening air connectivity inside ASEAN, promoting cruises within the region and developing talent within the industry.
While ASEAN has made significant progress in air travel, Lee said there remains to be huge potential for growth in numbers provided that all ASEAN members have ratified the Open Skies Agreement. The agreement removes restrictions on airline capability and competition.
ASEAN, with its archipelagos, year-round tropical climate and calm waters, can also be in a great position to advertise cruise tourism, Lee said, adding that Singapore will likely be the important coordinator for cruise tourism development within the region.
Source : Jakarta Post Office
