Launched “CLMVT Link” and cooperated to carry out “CLMVT” tourism promotion in five countries Representatives from various countries gathered at “THAILAND TRAVEL MART 2016 PLUS”
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand jointly participated in Thailand’s largest tourism business conference “THAILAND TRAVEL MART PLUS 2016 (TTM+ 2016)” held by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Chiang Mai, Thailand from June 8th to 10th. Launched the “CLMVT Link: Common Prosperity” tourism promotion. A press conference attended by representatives of each country was held.
At TTM+ 2016, in addition to travel industry companies directly related to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam also participated as exhibitors. In ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the four countries that joined in the 1990s, the so-called “CLMV” countries and Thailand will cooperate in tourism promotion.
ASEAN has been promoting “ASEAN Single Destination” and “Two Countries One Stop”, and he has been carrying out activities such as “Caravan”, inviting people to travel around multiple countries, including Thailand. This CLMVT Link will bring together the so-called Mekong region, utilizing common tourism resources such as events, local community tourism, cruise and river tourism, rice (rice) and bazaars, and transnational tourism.It will strengthen the bond between
Representatives from various countries at a press conference.It is said that we are at the same table for the first time
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Director General, Tourism Authority of Thailand
At a press conference, Tourism Authority of Thailand Director Yuthasak Subasong said, “ASEAN received 98 million outbound tourists in 2015, a year-on-year increase of 7.3 percent. The five CLMVT countries also saw this figure. In 2010 for 26.8 million, 444,000 in 2014. These five countries account for 42% of ASEAN., are also important to the entire ASEAN community and will ultimately benefit ASEAN,” explained the presence of the five CLMVT countries.
To strengthen this cooperation, he said, “branding, accessibility and connectivity cannot be ignored.” In addition, discussions are said to be continuing to open new routes, including not only the capitals of CLMVT countries, but also second- and third-tier cities. As specific examples, he said he was discussing routes between Chiang Mai and Vientiane/Luang Prabang (both in Laos) and Bangkok/Don Mueang and Mandalay (Myanmar).
Ground access was also mentioned in terms of accessibility and connectivity. Introduces road routes that can be driven between countries. Over the years, the region has developed a cross-border highway known as the Economic Corridor Route. Using this route, we will also consider travel packages that integrate national tours.
The five CLMVT countries are said to be important, accounting for more than 40% of the total number of tourists in ASEAN.
Thailand seeks to open new route between CLMVT in talks with domestic airlines
Enter CLMVT Country via the highway.Development of routes as economic corridors is underway
Representatives from various countries commented on the cooperation of CLMVT Link.
Representing Cambodia, Mr Try Chhiv (Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Tourism) will take action on a platform called CLMVT Link. I want to do branding together.
Mr. Manisakhone Thammavongxay (Director, Department of Public Relations, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism), representative of Laos, said that connectivity, especially air routes, is a challenge to strengthen cooperation. In Laos, more than 50% of tourists come from Thailand, followed by Vietnam.
Myanmar Representative Mr. Daw Khin Than Win (Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism of Myanmar) will increase the number of LCC flights to expand the range of choices, simplify border entry and exit, and improve customs rules and other aspects to propose changes. With regard to customs, he made proposals such as applying different rules between CLMVT and other countries.
Vietnam representative Mr. Vu Nam (Deputy Director of Tourism Marketing Department, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism) also mentioned the route. The expansion is important, he said, because routes between Vietnam and Thailand are extensive, but flights to Myanmar are very limited. In addition, we also propose to let travel agencies in each country conduct multi-country inspections. Thailand is the leader of CLMVT and I want him to play a central role in product development.
The question-and-answer session focused on visa issues. It is said that ASEAN is currently discussing a plan to allow people to travel freely among ASEAN member states with a single visa, similar to the European Schengen agreement.Mr. Supasorn, representative of Thailand, expressed his personal opinion. He said, “In one to two years (in some countries), a single visa will be realized.” On the other hand, the issue of border facilities was also brought up. Mr. Thammavongxay, representative of Laos Said, “It is true that there are differences depending on the border, and some countries need more improvement. We are still building all the border facilities steadily. We hope to strengthen
To commemorate the launch of “CLMVT Link: Prosper Together”, representatives held a ceremony of watering flowers from various countries.
Introducing CLMV Tourist Information
At this press conference, representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam introduced the cooperation between CLMVT and various countries, as well as the sightseeing spots and transportation channels of each country.
Mr. Try Chhiv, Deputy Minister of Tourism of Cambodia
Cambodia emphasizes its geographical advantage at the center of CLMVT. It calls for its great potential as a gateway that can reach Southeast Asian countries within 1 to 1.5 hours. Tourism resources include world heritage sites such as Siem Reap and Angkor Wat in the northwest, resort areas in the southwest, and rich natural environments in the northeast. It is indicated that the development of the second and third tourism resources after Angkor Wat will be strengthened.
In 2015, it received 4.78 million foreign tourists, an increase of 6.1% over the previous year. Most of the audience came from the Asia-Pacific region, accounting for 76.2%. In addition, there were 1.75 million tourists from LMVT 4 countries, an increase of 36.7% over the previous year. Vietnam, Thailand and Laos are the top 10 countries by tourist arrivals.
Tourism also contributes to job creation, with 43% of government investment in tourism. Going forward, our goal is to attract 7.5 to 8 million tourists and create 1 million jobs by 2020.
Mr. Manisakhone Thammavongxay, Director of Public Relations Department, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Laos
Laos shares borders with all four CMVT countries and has 10 border checkpoints, introducing the benefits of ground transportation. There are direct flights to three countries: Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.
As sightseeing spots, we introduced waterfalls in Khong Papeng, rafting in Vang Vieng, and culture in the capital Vientiane. Promote tourism by investing in private companies and entering into public-private partnerships (PPP) with companies within CLMV, and hold seminars in September-October. He hoped to achieve results in 2018.
Mr. Daw Khin Than Win, Deputy Minister of Hotels and Tourism, Myanmar
Myanmar emphasized the importance of transport connectivity for cooperation among countries. There are 6 air routes with Thailand, 2 air routes with Vietnam, and 5 land ports with Thailand. In terms of cooperation with other countries, in addition to CLMV, we also cooperate with ACMECS (Thailand-Cambodia Mutual Visa Exemption Scheme) and tourism. Visa waivers are also being implemented for tourists from ASEAN countries (excluding Malaysia).
In 2015, it received 4.68 million foreign tourists, an increase of 52% over the previous year. Since 2011, it has received 810,000 overseas tourists, and it has grown rapidly from 2012 to 2013, with a year-on-year increase of 93%.
In terms of tourist destinations, in addition to key areas such as Yangon and Mandalay, the central and southern regions and cities near the Sino-Indian border, such as Chin State, Mon State, Karen State, and Biyu, will be newly developed as tourist destinations. We are promoting cities in CLMVT countries and sister cities with Mandalay, and coming up with a plan to visit world heritage sites in each country.
Mr. Vu Nam, Deputy Director, Tourism Marketing Department, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Vietnam
In 2015, Vietnam received more than 7.94 million tourists. However, he pointed out that most of the visitors were from Northeast Asia, including Japan, and only 16 percent were from Southeast Asia (ASEAN member states).
Tourism resources such as resorts, nature, and food are abundant. According to reports, US President Barack Obama visited Vietnam in May and ate spring rolls at a restaurant in Hanoi. There are also three to five-star hotels. In 2015, 19 new five-star hotels and 28 four-star hotels were opened.
In terms of traffic channels, air routes have been established with 4 CLMT countries, and charter flights are planned to be provided between Vinh in the north and Bangkok starting from June 8, 2016 (local time). An action plan to be implemented by 2018 has also been drawn up to promote tourism in CLMVT. He expressed his willingness to promote the development of multi-country tourism products by taking Mekong River Basin tourism, economic corridor tourism, and world heritage tourism as examples.
