The recently concluded International Travel Expo 2013 (ITE2013) hosted at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7 is an annual forum for local and international tourism businesses to find new partners and business opportunities.

Moreover, it is also a place for senior regional tourism officials to plan new tweaks to boost tourism growth, a double-digit target for which has been set.

It was the first time the five tourism ministers from sub-regional countries - Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam - sat down to discuss how to develop tourism cooperation calendars on a regional scale.

According to the ministerial meeting, the five countries under the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) framework need to introduce new policies to lure both local and international visitors to the area to fulfill the target.

At the meeting, Mr. Hoang Tuan Anh, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam, said though the world economy is still in trouble, a reality which directly affects worldwide tourism, ACMECS welcomed more than 31 million international visitors and approximately 6 million local visitors last year, an 18 percent year-on-year increase.

In 2013, Vietnam alone is expected to welcome 7.5 million international arrivals and 35 milliondomestic visitors, while revenue from tourism this year may reach VND200 trillion ($10 billion), accounting for 6% of the national GDP.

"This is a very encouraging result," he said, adding that this is the reason why the content of the ministerial meeting focused on how to promote each country's strengths for development and boost cooperation throughout the sub-region.

“The ministers agreed to work together to build common tourism websites, logos, and slogans under the ACMECS framework to the promote tourism potential of the sub-region.

“Upcoming workshops and research will be conducted to position the sub-region in international tourism markets and create favorable conditions for international tourists to visit and learn about special features of each member country,” Anh said.

“In particular, the five ministers have agreed to actively participate in promotional activities organized by other members and promote cooperative approaches outside the ACMECS market.”

“Immediate plans are to welcome market research groups of travel companies, tour operators, and foreign journalists visiting member countries.”

Besides, Minister Anh said the member countries had agreed to support each other in ensuring safety and security for tourists.

"Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos have established tourist police in the main tourist destinations, while Vietnam is stepping up activities to ensure the safety and security of tourists”

“We will consult with the aforementioned countries to find additional mechanisms for the exchange of experiences in the field of tourism security,” he added.

New approaches

Currently, the first two members of ACMECS, Thailand and Cambodia, are piloting a project to issue common visas for foreign visitors. With this new kind of visa, foreign visitors who obtain a visa to Thailand will be allowed to enter and exit Cambodia.

Thong Kon, the Cambodian Minister of Tourism, said the project, which began in January, allows foreign visitors to apply for a visa at the diplomatic missions of the two countries, then get confirmation codes and the visas at the international borders of the two nations.

"The foreign guests can pay the fees for their visas at the border gates of Thailand and Cambodia," he said.

According to Mr Thong Kon, the ministers have also agreed to review and share their experiences in conducting the project in Thailand and Cambodia so that the five countries can launch a much bigger and ambitious project, the same common visa scheme, for foreign visitors to five member countries by 2015.

Currently, the infrastructure between the sub-regional countries, both air and road, is ready to meet the complete needs of entry for visitors, especially since air travel between ACMECS cities has become very convenient, with high flight frequency offered by national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and other regional airlines.

Also at this meeting, the ministers agreed to build a new tourism corridor along Bagan - Chiang Mai - Luang Prabang - Vientiane - Siem Reap - Da Nang - Hue to support tourism development in the member countries.

Minister Hoang Tuan Anh said the proposed visa waiver scheme, after being implemented in three countries, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, in 2007, will be extended to all five sub-regional nations.

"Though every country has its own approach and roadmap, the final goal is still to create the most favorable conditions for foreign visitors to the countries. Particularly in Vietnam, this idea has been submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration," he added.