The idea of ASEAN Integration reference to building a stronger and unified relations signifies a more promising ASEAN region.
As I briefly browsed through the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint and the ASEAN Community 2015 Joint Study between ADB and ILO, I realized that it focused mainly on the development of Free Trading & Services Agreement, Labor, Political, Educational and Social policies/rights/relations which for me are all considerably relevant, rational and realistic.
However, while the region hopes to transform into a single market based on the said developments, I am particularly keen to understand how the ASEAN can be more competitive under a region of single community in matters of:
- Appreciation and preservation of cultural and historical identity.
- Inter-cultural promotions to raise awareness on the uniqueness of heritage and primarily encouraging active tourism within the ASEAN region.
- Specific benefits and privileges earmarked for ASEAN tourists on travels and holidays within the region.
- Tourism Business Partnership.
- Tourism Exchange Study Programs.
- Integrating the ASEAN Community into the Global Economy in terms of enforced and reinforced identity.
The contemporary shape of the Tourism industry vary from one ASEAN member country to another. There are more member countries that do not receive an attractive number of tourists intermittently for reasons of security and stability, among others. I believe this should no longer be the case when the ASEAN Integration commences.
Born, bred and educated from the ASEAN race, I am similarly much concerned to recognize the presence of equality in managing opportunities with the hope that developing member countries can move on level playing field with the developed ones.
As a business owner and travel proprietor, it would be ideal to have an insightful dialogue with people of the same interest.
Beneath a united region, can the ASEAN achieve win-win best practices in the Tourism industry beyond 2015 without sacrificing the preservation and advocacy of each country’s uniquely rich ethnicity?