Overview
Tourism is one of the key areas of ASEAN’s cooperation since the early establishment of the Association. In 1977, the ASEAN Leaders agreed to establish a Committee on Trade and Tourism, as one of the five permanent Committees under the purview of the ASEAN Economic Ministers. Four years after the formalisation of the tourism cooperation among the ASEAN Member States in 1976, ASEAN established the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in 1981. The Forum is an avenue for the ASEAN governments to engage with private sector and relevant civil society organisations to promote ASEAN as a single tourism destination. As the structure of the organisation is evolving and as cooperation in tourism sector is also growing and expanding, the ASEAN Leaders agreed to have a standalone sectoral body for managing the tourism sector under the ambit of the Meeting of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers in 1997.
Recognising the vital importance of the tourism sector in contributing to the economic development of the region, the ASEAN Leaders, through the Manila Declaration in 1987, encouraged more intra-ASEAN travel and a development of a viable and competitive tourist industry. In January 1998, the ASEAN Tourism Ministers signed a Ministerial Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation in Tourism, during their Meeting in Cebu City, Philippines. The document provides among others the development and promotion of ASEAN as a single tourism destination with world-class standards, facilities and attractions. On 4 November 2002, the ASEAN Tourism Agreement was signed at the Eight ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This Agreement further underscores ASEAN’s commitment to engage the private sector as a policy to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of ASEAN’s tourism sector. Through this Agreement, ASEAN Member States commit to cooperate closely in facilitating intra-ASEAN and international travel and provide greater market access under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services, develop quality tourism, ensure the safety and security of travelers, actively conduct joint marketing and promotion, and develop human resources in the tourism and travel industry.
Recognising the vital importance of the tourism sector in contributing to the economic development of the region, the ASEAN Leaders, through the Manila Declaration in 1987, encouraged more intra-ASEAN travel and a development of a viable and competitive tourist industry. In January 1998, the ASEAN Tourism Ministers signed a Ministerial Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation in Tourism, during their Meeting in Cebu City, Philippines. The document provides among others the development and promotion of ASEAN as a single tourism destination with world-class standards, facilities and attractions. On 4 November 2002, the ASEAN Tourism Agreement was signed at the Eight ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This Agreement further underscores ASEAN’s commitment to engage the private sector as a policy to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of ASEAN’s tourism sector. Through this Agreement, ASEAN Member States commit to cooperate closely in facilitating intra-ASEAN and international travel and provide greater market access under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services, develop quality tourism, ensure the safety and security of travelers, actively conduct joint marketing and promotion, and develop human resources in the tourism and travel industry.
Institutional Structure
The ASEAN mechanisms to implement tourism cooperation are as follows:
- The ASEAN Tourism Ministers to provide the policy framework and direction.
- The ASEAN National Tourism Organisation (NTOs) to serve as the executing body to implement and monitor the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan and other tourism initiatives.
- The ASEAN NTOs is assisted by Four Committees to implement the action programmes and activities:
- ASEAN Tourism Competitiveness Committee
- ASEAN Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism Development Committee
- ASEAN Tourism Resourcing, and Monitoring and Evaluation Committee
- ASEAN Tourism Professional Monitoring Committee
ASEAN Guidelines on Hygiene and Safety for Professionals and the Communities in the Tourism Industry
- Accommodation
- Community-based and Ecotourism
- Convention Center
- Facilities inside Hotels and Resorts
- Restaurant
- Spa and Wellness
- Theme Park
- Travel and Tours
- ASEAN Checklist on Hygiene and Safety for Professionals and Communities in the Tourism Industry
- ASEAN Safe and Warm Stamp Style Guide
ASEAN Tourism Documents
- The ASEAN Cruise Tourism Corridor
- The ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor
- The ASEAN Flight Tourism Corridor (ASEAN Pass)
- The Heart of Borneo Ecotourism Cluster
- Final Report – ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Toolkit
- Overview of the Project Implementation – Achieving Sustainable Tourism with Intangible Cultural Heritage and Creative City Network in Waterway Cities of ASEAN (pilot phase in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Thailand)
- White Paper on the ASEAN Tourism Climate Smart Network
- ASEAN Tourism Investment Portfolio
- Self-Drive tourism in ASEAN countries Guidebook for Travelers
- ASEAN Tourism Marketing Strategy 2021-2025
- ASEAN Tourism Logo Guidelines
- Final Study Report for The Post-Covid-19 Recovery Plan for ASEAN Tourism
- Guidelines on ASEAN Cultural and Heritage Tourism Travel Pattern
- ASEAN Tourism Marketing Strategy 2017-2020
- ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025
- ASEAN Tourism Packages
- ASEAN Tourism Crisis Communications Manual
- ASEAN Tourism Investment Guide
- ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2011-2015
- ASEAN Tourism Marketing Strategy 2011-2015
- Plan of Action on ASEAN Cooperation in Tourism (1998)
- Financial Regulation of the ASEAN Tourism Information Center (1988)
ASEAN Tourism Standards
- ASEAN Ecotourism Standard for Activities, Facilities, Services
- ASEAN MICE Venue Standard (Category Event Venue)
- List of Awardees ATF 2018
- ASEAN Clean Tourist City Standard
- ASEAN Community Based Tourism Standard
- ASEAN Green Hotel Standard
- ASEAN Homestay Standard
- ASEAN MICE Venue Standard (Category Meeting Room)
- ASEAN MICE Venue Standard (Category Exhibition Venue)
- ASEAN Public Toilet Standard
- ASEAN Spa Services Standard
- List of ASEAN Green Hotel Awardees 2016
- List of ASEAN Homestay Awardees 2016
- ASEAN Tourism Standards Book
Toolboxes for Six Tourism Labour Divisions
Press Releases and Statements
2025
- Joint Media Statement of The Fourth Meeting of ASEAN-Russian Federation Tourism Ministers
- Joint Media Statement of The 24th Meeting of ASEAN, China Japan and Republic of Korea Tourism Ministers (24th M-ATM Plus Three)
- Joint Media Statement of The 12th Meeting of ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers
- Joint Media Statement of The 28th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers
2024
- Joint Media Statement of the 27th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers
- Joint Media Statement of the 23rd Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers Plus Three (23rd M-ATM Plus Three)
- Joint Media Statement of the Eleventh Meeting of ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers
- Joint Media Statement of the Third Meeting of ASEAN-Russian Federation Tourism Ministers
2023
- Joint Media Statement of The ASEAN-Japan Tourism Ministers’ Special Dialogue
- Co-Chairs’ Statement of the Tenth Meeting of ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers
- Co-Chairs’ Statement The 22nd Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers Plus Three (22nd M-ATM Plus Three)
- Co-Chairs’ Statement of The Second Meeting of ASEAN-Russian Federation Tourism Ministers
- Chairman Statement of The 26th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers
2022
- Joint Media Statement of the First Meeting of ASEAN-Russian Federation Tourism Ministers
- Joint Media Statement of the Ninth Meeting of ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers
- Joint Media Statement of the 21st Meeting of ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and Republic of Korea) Tourism Ministers
- Joint Media Statement of the 25th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers
2021
- Joint Media Statement of the Eighth Meeting of ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers, 5 February, 2021, Video Conference
- Joint Media Statement of the 20th Meeting of ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and Republic of Korea) Tourism Ministers, 5 February 2021, Video Conference
- Joint Media Statement of the 24th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 4 February 2021, Video Conference
2020
- Joint Media Statement of The Nineteenth Meeting of ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and Republic of Korea) Tourism Ministers, 16 January 2020, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
- Joint Media Statement of The Twenty-Third Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 15 January 2020, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
2019
- Joint Media Statement of The Eighteenth Meeting of ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and Republic of Korea) Tourism Ministers, 18 January 2019, Ha Long City, Viet Nam
- Joint Media Statement of The Seventh Meeting of ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers, 18 January 2019, Ha Long City, Viet Nam
- Joint Media Statement of The Twenty-Second Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 17 January 2019, Ha Long City, Viet Nam
2018
- Media Statement of The International Conference on Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals (MRA-TP), 20-21 June 2018, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Joint Media Statement of the Seventeenth Meeting of ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and Republic of Korea) Tourism Ministers, 26 January 2018, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Joint Media Statement of The Twenty-First Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 25 January 2018, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Joint Media Statement of the Sixth Meeting of ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers, 26 January 2018, Chiang Mai, Thailand
2017
- Press Release from Special Meeting of ASEAN-China National Tourism Organizations, 16 March 2017, Manila, Philippines.
- Joint Media Statement of The Sixteenth Meeting of ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and Republic of Korea) Tourism Ministers, 20 January 2017, Singapore.
- Joint Media Statement of The Twentieth Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 19 January 2017, Singapore.
2016
- Media Statement of The International Conference on Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals (MRA-TP), 8-9 August 2016, Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Joint Media Statement of The ASEAN Tourism Ministerial Roundtable Meeting on Ecotourism, 22 June 2016, Pakse, Lao PDR.
- Joint Media Statement of The Fifteenth Meeting of ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and Republic of Korea) Tourism Ministers, 22 January 2016, Manila, Philippines.
- Joint Media Statement of The Fifth Meeting of ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers, 22 January 2016, Manila, Philippines
- Joint Media Statement of The Nineteenth Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 21 January 2016, Manila, Philippines
2015
2014
- Joint Media Statement of The Thirteenth Meeting of ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and Republic of Korea) Tourism Ministers, 20 January 2014, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
- Joint Media Statement of The Seventeenth Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 19 January 2014, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
- Joint Statement By The ASEAN Tourism Ministers On The Aftermath of Earthquake and Super Typhoon in The Philippines, 19 January 2014, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
2013
- Joint Media Statement of The Twelfth Meeting of ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Ministers, 21 January 2013, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Joint Media Statement of The Fourth Meeting of ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers, 21 January 2013, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Joint Media Statement of The Sixteenth Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 20 January 2013, Vientiane, Lao PDR
2012
- Joint Media Statement of The Eleventh Meeting of ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and Republic of Korea) Tourism Ministers, 12 January 2012, Manado, Indonesia
- Joint Media Statement of The Third Meeting of ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers, 12 January 2012, Manado, Indonesia
- Joint Media Statement of The Fifteenth Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 11 January 2012, Manado, Indonesia
2011
- Statement by Minister of Tourism of Cambodia: Announcement of the Approval of the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan for 2011-2015
- Joint Media Statement of The Tenth Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan and Republic of Korea Tourism Ministers, 18 January 2011, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Joint Media Statement of The Fourteenth Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 17 January 2011, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
2010
- Joint Media Statement of The Ninth Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan and Republic of Korea Tourism Ministers, 25 January 2010, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
- Joint Media Statement of The Second Meeting of ASEAN and India Tourism Ministers, 25 January 2010, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
- Joint Media Statement of The Thirteenth Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 24 January 2010, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
2009
2008
- Joint Media Statement of The Seventh Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan and Republic of Korea Tourism Ministers, 22 January 2008, Bangkok, Thailand
- Joint Media Statement of The First Meeting of ASEAN and India Tourism Ministers, 22 January 2008, Bangkok, Thailand
- Joint Media Statement of The Eleventh Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 21 January 2008, Bangkok, Thailand
2007
2006
- Joint Media Statement of The Fifth Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan and Republic of Korea Tourism Ministers, 17 January 2006, Davao, Philippines
- Joint Media Statement of The Ninth Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 16 January 2006, Davao, Philippines
- Chairman’s Media Release on the Call by the Indian Delegation, ASEAN Tourism Forum 2006, 16 January 2006, Davao, Philippines
2005
2004
2003
- Joint Press Statement of The Sixth Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 24 January 2003, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Joint Press Statement of The Second Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan and Korea Tourism Minister, 24 January 2003, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Joint Press Statement of The Special Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan, Korea Tourism Ministers, 9 August 2003, Beijing, China
- Joint Statement and Concern by the Tourism Ministers of ASEAN, China, Japan and Korea, 9 August 2003, Beijing, China
- Chairman’s Statement of the ASEAN – China, Japan and Korea Tourism Ministers’ Retreat, 15 March 2003, Bali, Indonesia
- Joint Press Statement of The Sixth Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 24 January 2003, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Joint Press Statement of The Second Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan and Korea Tourism Ministers, 24 January 2003, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1991
1990
- The Guidelines on RPL Mechanism for ASEAN Tourism Professionals
- Handbook of ASEAN MRA on Tourism Professional
- Guidelines for ASEAN MRA-TP Trainers and Assessors
- MRA-TP Guide for Tourism & Hospitality Organisations
- MRA-TP Guide for Tourism Education & Training Providers
- MRA-TP Guide for Tourism Professionals
ASEAN Common Competency Standards for Tourism Professionals (ACCSTP)
ASEAN Tourism Curriculum and Qualifications Framework
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