The 11th M- ATM- India: Fastest Growing Markets in the Region

Vientiane, Laos, BTNp: THE 11th M- ATM- India noted that India’s outbound tourist market was among the fastest-growing markets in the region. The tourism sector is showing positive signs of recovery in 2023 with the Southeast Asia region and India remaining a significant source market for inbound tourism for each other. India received 651,920 visitors from the ASEAN Member States in 2023. Approximately 3,667,620 Indians travelled to ASEAN countries from January to November 2023.

The Eleventh Meeting of ASEAN and India Tourism Ministers was held in conjunction with the 27th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers (M- ATM), in Vientiane, Lao PDR.  Chaired by the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Lao PDR,  Suanesavanh VIGNAKET,   and  Ambassador of India to ASEAN,  Jayant N. Khobragade, as Co-Chairman. The 11th M- ATM India was preceded by the 31st ASEAN-India Tourism Working Group Meeting

Deliberated and exchanged views on the progress of ASEAN-India Tourism Cooperation based on the ASEAN-India Tourism Work Plan 2023-2027, and noted relevant updates, particularly in the following key areas: Sharing of best practices for the development of responsible and/or sustainable tourism; Sharing resources and facilities to provide mutual assistance in tourism education and training for quality tourism development; ASEAN-India Crisis Communication Contact Points, as well as a list of focal points for investment and economic data, have been established and updated; and Exchange of information about statistics and development strategies, investment opportunities and economic data.

Cruise Tourism is an Up-and-Coming

The meeting also exchanged views on the importance of strengthening connectivity between ASEAN and India, covering air, maritime, and land connectivity to promote seamless cross-border travel and enhance the mobility and overall experience of visitors. Cruise tourism is an up-and-coming priority for ASEAN and India. The Meeting further noted that India had recently launched the Draft National Strategy for Cruise Tourism taking into account that there is a significant untapped potential for overnight coastal tourism.

Acknowledged the recent launch of the Action Roadmap for Sustainable Tourism Development in ASEAN as a holistic and long-term strategic plan for the region that delineates the strategies and essential actions required to attain sustainability objectives within the tourism sector. Noted that the Action Roadmap has pinpointed key action areas, such as improving energy and resource efficiency in tourism infrastructure; enhancing staff training in sustainability practices; promoting cultural heritage; and fostering community engagement in sustainable development efforts.

Alignment between ASEAN and India to advance the progress of Sustainable Tourism development, among others to explore how ASEAN could participate in the initiative called ‘Travel for LiFE’, a sectoral programme under Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), a global mass movement bringing individual behaviours to the forefront of the global climate action narrative, targeted towards the tourism sector that was launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (GOI) on the occasion of the World Tourism Day 2023 aims to raise awareness about responsible tourism through the creation of a network of Pro Planet People focusing on tourism and tourism businesses.

Agreed to explore joint projects to promote sustainable tourism in ASEAN and India, taking into account the Action Roadmap for Sustainable Tourism Development in ASEAN, as well as the Goa Roadmap for Tourism that was endorsed at the G20 Ministerial Meeting held in Goa. To promote cultural exchanges, connectivity and people-to-people ties, exchanged views on ways to enhance the capacity of ASEAN and Indian tour agencies, which would provide relevant insights on respective cultures and the needs of the tourists. Thereby, the Meeting tasked the ASEAN National Tourism Organizations and India to explore possible joint actions to expedite tourism recovery in ASEAN and India through innovative approaches in implementing the programmes and activities identified in the ASEAN-India Tourism Work Plan 2023- 2027. *BTNewspaper