The ASEAN Promotional Chapter for Tourism (APCT) – India Chapter is promoting ASEAN as a single and collective tourism destination to the Indian audience. ASEAN countries include Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

APCT was conceived by the member countries of the ASEAN as part of its efforts to leverage the tremendous tourism potential of the region. Manoharan Periasamy, chairman APCT – India Chapter said, “South East Asia has always been an attractive destination for Indians. In fact, India has consistently been one of the top 10 tourist generating markets to this region. Last year we had over 102 million visitors to the ASEAN countries and over three million were from India.” Periasamy is also director, Tourism Malaysia, India. “Historically Indians have been visiting Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. ASEAN has much to offer with the inherent diversity in terms of peoples, lifestyle, culture, religion and culinary experience, together with the rich natural landscape and deep historical heritage. Last year Myanmar saw a 50 per cent increase in their tourist arrivals and India was a major contributor to it. Places like Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are also fast featuring on the Indian must visit countries list. These are all positive signs for us at APCT,” added Periasamy.

ASEAN recognises the strategic role of the tourism sector in its economic growth and hopes that by 2025, the region will be a quality tourism destination offering a unique, diverse ASEAN experience, and will be committed to responsible, sustainable and inclusive tourism development, so as to contribute significantly to the socio-economic well-being of ASEAN people.

Through the APCT, numerous initiatives are being taken to ensure that the tourists get the best during their holidays in the ASEAN region. Special emphasis is being laid on enhancing product development through regional packages, increase in public awareness of ASEAN products and offerings, facilitation of intra-ASEAN travel, etc. APCT is also identifying ways to standardise and implement a certain level of standard of tourism. Each individual country has been assigned the role of lead coordinators to ensure that the tourists can expect world-class facilities when they visit the South East Asian nations. Areas like homestay, spa service, security and safety guidelines, clean tourist city standards, community based tourism standards are being finely looked into.

A proposal for an ASEAN Common Visa for non-ASEAN nationals to facilitate business mobility and tourism is in discussion.