Yogyakarta, February 5th, 2023 - ASEAN Member States agreed to strengthen collaborative steps in identifying and executing strategic steps to improve the implementation of ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2016-2025.
ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2023 which took place in Yogyakarta from the 3rd to 5th of February 2023 agreed to increase the role of tourism, support economic revival and employment creation in the region, to make ASEAN as the epicentrum of growth.
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno in a joint statement at ATF 2023, Sunday (5/2/2023) at the Mariott Hotel Yogyakarta, said that ATF 2023 discussed tourism activities in the region, based on the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2016-2025. As a result, all delegates appreciated the steps taken by the ASEAN National Tourism Organization in accordance with what had been previously agreed.
ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) is ASEAN's strategy to increase the number of visitors to the Southeast Asian region.
"ASEAN member states encourage all ASEAN national tourism organization to be able to identify strategic steps and activities to improve ATSP implementation in the coming years," said Minister Sandiaga Uno.
It is recorded that 60 percent of the strategies and steps taken recently are in accordance with the ATSP work plan. The meeting encouraged ASEAN member countries to continue implementing and re-evaluating their priority activities in line with the ATSP.
Minister Sandiaga as Chair of the 2023 ATF Meeting reported that ASEAN countries together with partners appreciate the relaxation policy and the elimination of travel restrictions by ASEAN member states. As a result, international tourist visits to ASEAN in 2022 has increased by 1,706% compared to the previous year.
"Hotel visitor rates have also increased by 16% compared to 2021," said Sandiaga.
ASEAN has been relentlessly working together in promoting ASEAN as a preferred destination by trying to bring back the tourist’s interest, displaying the diversity, warmth, resilience, fun and adventure, that are the symbols of the people in the ASEAN region.
One of the efforts is by strengthening the potential for cruise ships as one of sector to support the recovery of ASEAN tourism.
"The meeting also emphasized the need to increase cooperation with related partners to strengthen the promotion and marketing efforts," said Sandiaga.
Sandiaga further said that the 2023 ATF meeting also agreed on several other matters. Such as increasing the capacity of ASEAN tourism professional manpowers through the Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Tourism Professionals (MRA-TP), and increasing the responsible, sustainable, and inclusive development of tourism.
"As well as encouraging the transformation and adoption of digital tourism," said Sandiaga.
I Gusti Ayu Dewi Hendriyani
Head of the Communications Bureau
Source: Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia