For the tourism industry, the existence of
ASEAN as a governing body has been an
immense blessing. Ounethouang Khaophanh,
the Laotian Deputy Minister of Information,
Culture and Tourism, said it best in April’s
ASEAN Tourism Committee Meeting
in the UNESCO World Heritage City of
Luang Prabang: “Tourism is one of the most
significant and [highest] priority sectors. It
contributes to economic development and
generates a huge amount of income and jobs in
the ASEAN region and worldwide.”
Being part of ASEAN means being part
of a bigger pool of resources and support
when it comes to cross promotions, airport
controls, and new tourist destinations. If
ASEAN didn’t exist, there would be no
more intergovernmental body to support the
tourism industry. Less developed economies
would have a harder time attracting regional
tourists. Costs of travel would increase without
the ASEAN umbrella that waives tax and
duties. Local jobs, like tour guides, drivers,“We’d lose the opportunity to
explore freely in the region’s
diverse, rich destinations”
hospitality workers and small merchants,
would all be greatly reduced. Travellers
would no longer be able to take advantage of
dedicated lanes for ASEAN passport holders.
Means to travel have improved over the
years with the emergence of regional airlines
serving the burgeoning middle class and young
people eager to explore what the world has to
offer. Low budget travel within the region has
soared thanks to visa-free agreements. Nearly
half of ASEAN tourists are from the region
itself, and tourism comprises an increasing
percentage of national incomes, especially for
countries like Myanmar and Cambodia.
Locking away all this means we’d lose
one of the most fun and joyful activities for
individuals and families to do – travel. We’d
lose the opportunity to explore freely in the
region’s diverse, rich destinations: smouldering
volcanoes, white sand beaches, lush tropical
rainforests, and bustling metropolises
with towering skyscrapers. We’d lose the
opportunity to showcase Southeast Asia to
the world and one another. Let’s hope that the
disappearance of ASEAN remains a theory – a
theory that will never transpire.Jonathan Chang
Executive Director, Lien Centre for Social InnovationASeAn touriSt
numberS
OVERALL
108 million/year
FROM ASEAN (42%)
46 million/year
42 %TOTAL VISITORS
2011 : 81 million
2012 : 89 million
2013 : 102 million
2014 : 105 million
2015 : 108 million
DATA SOURCE: ASEAN STATS
PHOTO © EVGENY VASENEV / AURORA PHOTOS/GETTY IMAGES