ASEANTA tips about the best way to kickstart tourism

PHNOM PENH, February 8, 2021: Southeast Asian tourism urgently needs a kickstart before the end of the second quarter in order to avoid a collapse, according to the ASEAN Tourism Association, which represents organizations of the private tourism sector in the 10-country region.

The association made proposals to revitalize tourism on February 24 at the 24th ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, held practically from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

“We are deeply concerned about the severe impact of Covid-19 on the travel and tourism industries. This poses a real threat to people’s lives and livelihoods, ”ASEANTA directors told tourism ministers.

In 2019, the travel and tourism sector contributed $ 380 billion, or 12.1%, of ASEAN GDP and created 42.3 million jobs, or 13.3% of total ASEAN employment.

More than 70% of these tourism jobs will be lost if the borders remain closed for much longer, the association warned. It has pointed to projections that despite the introduction of vaccines, appointment bookings will remain weak, indicating minimal improvement through November 2021 at best.

ASEANTA said: “Given the ongoing situation of the pandemic and the likelihood that the recovery process from Covid-19 will take longer than previous expectations, we agree to the following recommendations for the respective governments of ASEAN member states to consider.”

Time schedule
Phase 1: In a fair and equitable manner, initiate immediate government support to ensure the survival of the industry (Q1 2021).

Phase 2: Prepare for the reopening of the borders by defining framework conditions for cross-border travel, SOPs for the entire tourism ecosystem and guidelines for tests and vaccinations (Q1 2021).

Phase 3 Facilitating resumption of all types of travel (business, leisure and VFR travel) under the ASEAN travel corridor (Q2 2021).

Since the first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, ASEAN governments guaranteed loans, tax breaks, subsidies, incentives and put in place fiscal measures to help the industry survive the COVID-19 situation.

Covid-19 vaccinations are now being rolled out in all ASEAN countries except Thailand (scheduled for June 2021) and tourism workers are on the priority list for the sting.

Last November, tourism ministers approved a statement on an ASEAN Framework for Agreement on Travel Corridors (TCA) designed to develop a standard set of pre- and post-arrival health and safety measures at the initiative of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Observations
Business travel alone will not be enough to restore intra-ASEAN traffic to 35% of all international overseas and domestic passenger traffic 19 years ago.

Business Travel Bubble Agreements (RGL) have not generated significant air traffic volume.

If the reopening is limited to essential business traffic, passenger traffic between ASEAN countries is likely to remain at less than 5% of normal for most of 2021.

ASEAN’s incredible 10 year growth in tourism was reversed in 2020 when arrivals fell 70%.

Cambodia, the Philippines, and Thailand are most susceptible to persistent travel restrictions.

ASEANTA proposals
• The proposed ASEAN Travel Corridor Agreement should facilitate both business travel and leisure / visiting friends and relatives (VFR).
• Tests before departure and arrival must be introduced urgently.
• Reduce quarantine or self-isolation to just a day or two (until PCR test results are published on arrival).
• Controlled itinerary or business travelers are allowed to travel for tourism purposes after a company sponsored time.
• No quarantine for returning business travelers.

Quarantine – Free Travel Bubbles
• Enable recreational and VFR travel between low risk countries.
• No quarantine for arriving and returning travelers.
• Mutually recognized test procedures.
• Common vaccine documentation for easier review.

ASEAN health passport
• Common vaccine documentation to facilitate review with the potential to incorporate and share information in existing contact tracking or health declaration apps under an ASEAN health passport.