Thailand, neighbors to develop tourism

Thailand, neighbors to develop tourism

BANGKOK (AP): Thailand and its three neighbors agreed Friday
to jointly develop their tourism industries and promote the four
countries as a single tourism destination.

As part of the deal, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar
agreed to ease visa procedures, develop aviation, improve land
transportation and boost tourism along the Mekong river, which
winds through their territories.

The agreement was signed at the end of a three-day meeting of
the tourism ministers of the four countries.

"The four countries-one destination concept, if strongly
promoted, will be very viable in the competitive international
tourism market and of mutual economic benefit to each country,"
the agreement said.

Among the measure proposed to ease visa procedures are:
minimizing visa fees; processing visa applications speedily;
adding more international points of entry points; and issuing
visas on arrival at every possible international check points and
border crossing.

The agreement does not set a time limit for implementation of
the proposals. But if the measures come into force they will
constitute a major step toward opening up of Myanmar and Laos,
which are ruled by highly secretive governments.

The agreement said the four countries will encourage their
airlines to develop aviation infrastructure and to increase the
number of destinations, frequencies and capacity of services.

"We hope to eventually facilitate air travel to all four
countries in one day," Adisai Bodharamik, a Cabinet minister and
chairman of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, told reporters.

Asked if regional political tensions will hinder the pact,
Adisai said "it is felt that tourism will help decrease these
problems."

He said a roadshow will be held in European countries to
promote the concept of joint tourism.

The tourism promotion is likely to benefit Thailand as most
arrivals will use it as a spring board for the neighboring
countries. The country is already a popular destination for
Europeans.

The number of tourists visiting Thailand in the first half of
this year reached 4.67 million, an increase of 11.06 percent over
the same period last year.

Tourism arrival figures for the other countries was not
immediately available.