According to a report in travelmole.com, at the ongoing ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Brunei (January 21-28, 2010), introduction of ASEAN travel Visa was discussed during the ASEAN Tourism Ministers meeting. More details on the same will be discussed this week, but not every ASEAN country will be included in the scheme and some member countries will require Visas for ‘security reasons’. Further, the arrangement will be applicable to only tourists.
During other discussions, ASEAN Tourism Ministers and senior government officials agreed upon the framework for five-year strategic plan, which aims to promote Southeast Asia as a one-stop tourism destination. The plan is scheduled to be launched in Cambodia during the next ATF meeting in 2011. However, a proposal to look into the development of a unified ASEAN airline failed to reach a consensus.
Dato Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Tourism, Malaysia 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. |