A new cross border alliance between five ASEAN nations has been unveiled aiming to market itself as a single destination.
The pact between Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand (CLMVT) was introduced at the 15th Thailand Travel Mart in Chinag Mai and will initially focus on better connectivity and collaborative efforts in joint marketing and promotional campaigns.
With the wider ASEAN economic bloc slowly taking shape, this alliance within an alliance will only enhance tourism collaboration within the region, said Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
"Deeper integration of the ASEAN Economic Community will also promote ASEAN as a single tourist destination. It is not only for the benefit of any one country, but for the whole region. Enhanced transportation linkages between Cambodia, Lao PDR., Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand will also strengthen the cause of the ASEAN integration."
CLMVT countries might be a sub-grouping of ASEAN, but if they can strengthen their unity, it will ultimately benefit the ASEAN platform", Yuthasak said.
Increasing air routes between the five countries is a priority while discussions will also be held to better integrate the regional rail network.
The governor also said that the VISIT ASEAN@50 marketing campaign, commemorating 50 years of the founding of ASEAN, will launch special ‘bucket list’ events, and activities that links ASEAN countries such as river and ocean cruises, festivals and spiritual events, and overland cross border tours.
