South East Asian nations launch new tourism offensive

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has rolled out a new tourism campaign with the slogan 'Southeast Asia: feel the warmth'.

The campaign will target visitors from Asian markets such as Australia and India, as well as further afield in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and North America, the ASEAN Tourism Association said in a statement.

The campaign is focused on a new promotional website SoutheastAsia.org.

Pehin Yahya, Brunei's Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, told delegates that the region offers "tremendous opportunities" to visitors including activities, attractions, ecotourism and culinary experiences.

ASEAN Tourism Association Chairman Felix J. Cruz said the initiative will promote travel to multiple destinations in Southeast Asia, and could be a tool to fight poverty for its poorer members.

ASEAN consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The UN World Tourism Organisation said last week that international tourist arrivals should increase 3 to 4% in 2010 after a difficult year.

International tourist arrivals fell by an estimated 4% in 2009, it said in its World Tourism Barometer.

For more information go to www.SoutheastAsia.org

Image: Thailand's Ayuthaya temple.