PACKAGE TOURS FOR ASEAN REGION

Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Finance and Minister for Trade and Industry whether it is feasible to work with the other Asean countries to organize package tours of the whole Asean region in order to attract more tourists to Singapore and promote tourism in this region.

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong (for the Minister for Finance and Minister for Trade and Industry): Sir, Asean countries are already working together to promote tourism in the region. There is an Asean Sub-Committee on Tourism, one of whose task is to promote the Asean region as a common tourist destination. The committee has produced an Asean poster for display in the key tourist markets and is in the process of producing a film on tourist attractions in Asean. Some years ago, the five national airlines also got together and agreed on an Asean circle fare. The organizing of tours itself is a private business of tourist agencies, airlines and tour operators. They will have to decide whether it is feasible or necessary for them to work with their counterparts in the other countries to organize package tours of the whole Asean region. On their own, some Singapore tour operators are already selling tour packages to Asean countries, either as a package of five countries or a combination of two or three countries. These are meant not only for Singaporeans but are also sold overseas for travellers from outside the region, To support their efforts, the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board is actively promoting Asean as a single tourist destination in its programmes to attract tourists to Singapore. It has brought out brochures promoting this concept, for example, the Asean brochure and cruise ship leaflets with the theme "Bon Voyage - Sail on to Asean."