25 January 2010

ATF: Asean tiptoes on visa-free travel

BRUNEI - Asean tourism ministers meeting at the Asean Tourism Forum this week will once more dangle the carrot of visa-free travel within the region.

It appears, however, that the prospect of total seamless travel within Asean countries will remain a pipe dream. At least for the time being.

During weekend meetings of the Asean NTOs, delegates heard about progress made on introducing the Asean travel visa

More details will emerge this week but not every Asean country will be included in the scheme and some member countries will still require visas for "security reasons".

Further, the arrangement will be applicable to tourists only, according to reports.

During other discussions, Asean tourism ministers and senior government officials agreed the framework for the five-year strategic plan, which aims to promote Southeast Asia as a one-stop tourism destination. Ã¢â¬~¨

The plan is scheduled to be launched in Cambodia during the next ATF meeting in 2011.Ã¢â¬~¨

A proposal to look into the development of a unified Asean airline failed to reach a consensus.

Malaysia's minister of tourism Dato Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the idea for an Asean airline was proposed to connect the countries in the region, given some like Laos and Cambodia were still suffering from connectivity issues.Ã¢â¬~¨Ã¢â¬~¨

"Unfortunately connectivity is not only about air space but also profitability. This is a challenge to us when airlines start to fly to new destinations without knowing the market," she said.