Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have signed an agreement to co-ordinate efforts to promote the region and reduce barriers to travel.
Under the terms of the agreement, tourism and travel services will be integrated and the entire region will be promoted as a single destination.
Visa procedures will be co-ordinated and travel levies and taxes will be phased out. Meanwhile collaboration in transportation and safety operations will be stepped up.
The leaders of the region pledged to conserve and promote the natural and historic heritage of each country by properly managing the environment and promoting sustainable tourism.
The member nations include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
