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.