The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2016 at the SMX Convention Hall in Manila from January 18 to 23 will be the venue of the launch of the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP)to continue the association’s goals in moving towards ASEAN as a single tourism destination.“Work on the plan began in Myanmar at the ATF 2015 when the one for 2011-2015 expired and its goals were attained. Now, we’re batting for a 10-year (2016-2025) plan that will basically cover strategic directions and focus growth areas, all geared at preserving, developing and promoting the tourism assets of ASEAN as a single regional destination,” said ATF 2016 Philippine Host Committee Chairman and Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon Jr. of the Department of Tourism.

Bengzon, however, cited both social and structural systems required to establish seamless connectivity across the diverse cultures and countries of the ASEAN region in order to break its doors wide open to inbound travel.

“We will have to find ways to further promote and even incentivize code-sharing partnerships and reciprocal freedom rights to open up the ASEAN skies and boost airline passenger volumes, whil getting ourselves collectively involved in protecting certain natural resource on a regionwide scale,” Bengzon said, citing the Coral Triangle as an example.