The 10 member countries of ASEAN are targeting 121 million international arrivals in 2017.
Singapore premier Lee Hsien Loong officially launched the VisitASEAN@50 tourism campaign which markets Southeast Asia as a single tourism destination.
Tourism officials from member countries laid out plans to boost tourism spending to US$83 billion and increase average length of stay to 6-7 days by pushing multi destination travel in more than one ASEAN country.
In addition 50 special tour packages will be promoted during ASEAN’s 50th anniversary.
The Singaporean PM stressed the need for member states to stick together and work collaboratively to boost arrivals.
"In many countries, the mood is to go it alone, unilaterally push for their own interests, and doubt the value of mutual give and take in a rules-based international order. In this uncertain global environment, ASEAN is an important life raft for all of us," he said.
"Tourism is one area where by working together, we can get win-win benefits, growing our economies, creating jobs, and drawing our peoples together."
Increased affordable air links are essential, Lee said.
"All ASEAN member countries have ratified an Open Skies Agreement. We therefore look forward to more flights and more tourists."
The cruise sector is another area of focus for the ASEAN tourism ‘brand.’
"ASEAN is well placed to promote cruise tourism. We have archipelagos to rival the Aegean, Caribbean, or South Pacific but developing cruise tourism is a multi-lateral effort. We need to develop port infrastructure to receive bigger and newer ships and work with cruise providers to create attractive itineraries with multiple stops for tourists"
This will be spearheaded by the ASEAN Cruise Development Initiative.
