RI is not leading ASEAN country in tourism: Report

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Wed, 05/30/2012 10:37 PM

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Indonesia is not among the most potential ASEAN countries to develop travel and tourism, a recent report says.



According to this year’s ASEAN Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, which was released on Wednesday, Indonesia fell well short of neighboring countries Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.



English Thai newspaper The Nation reported on Wednesday that Singapore was deemed “the most attractive environment among ASEAN countries” to develop travel and tourism, ranking 10th out of 139 countries.



Malaysia and Thailand was at the 35th and 41st spots respectively, while Indonesia ranked 74th behind Brunei Darussalam, which placed 67th.



Indonesia, with Brunei and Vietnam, ranked 80th, were deemed ASEAN countries that were “demonstrating clear strengths, counterbalanced by weaknesses”.



Meanwhile, the Philippines, ranked 94th and Cambodia, 109th, were considered “presenting shortcomings in most dimensions”.



"Travel and tourism is not the only a critical driver of economic development and social progress. It also represents a formidable factor of regional integration," said Børge Brende, managing director of World Economic Forum, as quoted by the newspaper.



"By improving connectivity and mobility, travel and tourism contributes to creating a regional identity, a sense of 'ASEANness' among citizens,” he added.



The report was based on data covering areas such as policy rules and regulations, environmental sustainability, safety and security, health and hygiene, air transportation infrastructure, ground transportation infrastructure, tourism infrastructure and human resources. (asa)