BANGKOK,
24 May 2012: It’s time for ASEAN tourism
to grow up, claims an outspoken tour company boss, Willem Neimeijer, who runs
the Bangkok-based Khiri Travel.
He was
commenting on the up-coming tourism debate at the World Economic Forum on East
Asia , 31 May, in a travel blog published on his website yesterday.
“The
deliberations will tell us how serious the tourism industry in the Mekong
region and ASEAN is about becoming more professional, integrating and growing
up a bit.”
The
event organisers will present a live televised TV debate entitled “Driving
Growth Through Travel and Tourism” 1045 to 1200 (Bangkok time) on Thursday 31
May.
The
sub-theme of the debate is; “What is the role of the travel and tourism industry
in ASEAN integration?”
According
to the programme some of the best minds in travel and tourism will address
specific challenges such as creating jobs and growth opportunities, innovation
and technology in tourism, learning from success stories in the region and
enhancing competitiveness.
But in
his travel blog Mr Miemeijer counters: “All well and good, but as an operator
of innovative tours in Thailand and the Mekong region for 18 years, I say it’s
time for the tourism industry in ASEAN to grow up.
“The
industry is like a young teenager who has done well at primary school (over
80.5 million arrivals across 10 ASEAN countries in 2011 isn’t bad).
“But
does he now have the vision, will power and dedication to become more skilled,
innovative, disciplined and standards based?
“That,
after all, is the vision proffered by the much touted (but little understood)
goal of ASEAN economic cooperation (AEC), due in the tourism service sector by
2015.”
Khiri
Travel runs a successful tour business covering the Mekong Region from a base
in Bangkok and its boss is noted for frequently speaking his mind and cutting
through the clutter to expose core issues
In the
case of the World Economic Forum in Bangkok his comments are as blunt as the
ones he delivered to the Mekong Tourism Forum two years ago and largely ignored
by its leaders.
“Quit
beating about the bush!” From my perspective at the daily coalface of the
tourism industry I want the political leaders of the region to knuckle down and
implement five changes that will create growth, job opportunities and social
inclusion. Specifically:
1. Get
rid of tourism visa applications. Instead, start issuing 30-day automatic
tourism visas on arrival to ASEAN residents and a range of other markets. If
you want growth, that will do the trick. If you want ASEAN to be competitive,
be brave and just do it. It’s no surprise that the three most successful
destinations in ASEAN – Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand – have had tourism
passes on arrival for years. Eliminate redundant administrative clutter in the
tourism space and tourists will come. More jobs will be created.
2.
Incentivise growth away from existing crowded tourism hubs. Extend better
finance arrangements to SMEs in upcountry areas – and use partners such as
NTOs, credit card companies and low cost carriers (with their powerful online
marketing channels) to package and promote them. The industry has a moral
responsibility to embrace the huge amount of local people living beyond well
worn and overbuilt tourism hubs.
3.
Embrace cross-border land tourism, both self drive and bus tours. Try and drive
your own car between Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is impossible.
You are axle deep in restrictions before you can say “Mekong.” Only Thailand
and Laos accept foreign driving permits. ASEAN countries should mutually
recognise each other’s licences. Workable cross-border insurance for car owners
self driving should be facilitated. On group tours, we should have, for
example, Bangkok residents welcoming Cambodian buses with Cambodian tourists
and Thais travelling by bus through Laos to Vietnam. Look how important
cross-border land tourism is to France, Germany and Italy. That’s the model.
4. Make
tourism curriculums meet the needs of modern industry. Subjects taught in
tourism colleges are too broad. There’s little practical training or hands-on
experience. For example, language training in Thailand and Vietnam is still
poor. There needs to be better quality control, standardisation and
certification of tourism institutions. Singapore is already doing a lot of good
work in this area.
5. Halt
back-sliding on ASEAN tourism integration. For example, even after 2015, one
ASEAN country will limit foreign ASEAN nationals’ ownership of hotels to
three-star properties and above. It is also limiting geographic areas where
foreign equity participation can reach 100%. Sadly, strict work permit
conditions will remain after 2015. For example, Filipino front office staff or
Malaysian hotel reservation operators won’t be able to simply up sticks and
move to Thailand or Singapore and ply their tourism skills there. They’ll have
to apply for a work permit – and strict conditions will remain.
Khiri
Travel, established in 1994, is an independent destination management company
with its own regional network. It has eight offices in Thailand, Laos, Myanmar,
Vietnam and Cambodia.
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