PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Leaders of the members nations of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed a
comprehensive agreement on Nov. 4 to boost inbound tourism by
coordinating efforts to enhance and promote the region and to
reduce barriers to travel.
The agreement covers a number of areas, including coordinating
visa procedures, enhancements to a smart-card system for business
and frequent travelers, phasing out travel levies and taxes,
extending visa exemptions and stepping up collaboration in
transportation and safety operations.
The leaders agreed to establish an integrated tourism and travel
services network and to promote the entire region collectively as a
single destination.
The document also pledged the leaders to take steps to "conserve
and promote the natural and historic heritage of each country
through environmental management to promote sustainable
tourism."
The member nations include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam.