The
Association of Southeast Asian Nation or ASEAN was established by the founder
countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand on August
8, 1967. Later, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam have joined
the regional association.
Tourism has
experienced continuing growth and deepening diversification to become one of
the fastest growing economic sectors in the world. Modern tourism is closely
linked to development and encompasses a growing number of new destinations.
These dynamics have turned tourism into a key driver for socio-economic
progress (UNWTO – United Nation World Tourism Organization). We can notice that
most of the countries in the region are developing and emerging countries. The
tourism has become a tool to generate income in those countries profiting from
their tourism resources, both natural and cultural.
Besides the connecting border, they are
related historically and culturally, which can turn tourism as main force for
developing a cluster tourism destination in the region. The collaboration among
the countries can strongly emphasis tourism promotion. The numbers of tourists
also come with the demand of infrastructure and facilities, which the countries
need to develop.
When the countries are recognized as
tourism destinations, it comes with that, both, positive and negative impact
for the countries.
The positive impacts of economical
nature can be the main focus of them. The investment in the tourism industry would
generate tax revenues, jobs, incomes and also external visibility. The
investment in infrastructure influence both domestic and international
investors to contribute for their investment. It is written in the World Travel
& Tourism Council (WTTC) report that ASEAN is one of the world’s most
tourism dependent regions, with travel and tourism contributing to 12.4% of
total GDP, nearly 4% above most of the other world’s regions. This supports the
association aim and purpose of accelerating the economic growth. The ASEAN
countries that exploit the opportunities of low interest rates to foster
necessary infrastructure and investment opportunities will be best to create
quality jobs and tax revenues. This will contribute strongly to the wellbeing
of their economies in the future.
In addition, the positive social impacts
will improve the local people quality of life as well as increase of the community
pride, and the regional identity can be reinforced. Accordingly with the motto
of ASEAN: “One Vison, One identity, One Community”
In another hand, there are also negative
impacts of both economic and social nature to the destination. In terms of
economic ones, it will increase prices and cost of living. The difference of
culture and attitudes between residents and visitors can also generate conflict
and problems. For example, a car accident of Chinese tourists has driving car
and motorbike to Chaingmai, Thailand, which caused traffic and danger for the
tourists themselves and also annoyed the residents.
As most of place attractions in ASEAN
rely on natural and cultural attributes, the visit of numerous tourists will
cause environment impacts. That will put in danger the natural environment. The
demand of tourist facilities and infrastructure will change the local people
way of life as well as the cultural one. In the case of Pai, there is a rural
village in Chaigmai, in which the distinctive attractions are the natural
scenery and simple way of life. However, when many tourist came in, the
resident sold their properties to the investors to build hotels and resorts.
The pollution and crowded visitors are changing the uniqueness of this village.
The comparison of pros and contras of tourism can be
biased by the economic benefit which some country will from, devaluating the
negative impacts that were mentioned. That is a reason for the country to think
about the sustainability of tourism in their country.
Accordingly with the annual ASEAN
Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2016-2020, there is the need not only of
developing and enhancing the tourism industry in the region but also of
ensuring that this growth is grounded on responsible, sustainable, and
inclusive bases.
Hence, ASEAN tourism development must
focus on strategic plan to be innovative, well integrate and sustainable to
ensure the stability the tourism and economic growth to community.
Itsra
Watjananasoontorn
Bibliography:
http://investasean.asean.org/index.php/page/view/tourism
(Artigo de opinião produzido no âmbito da unidade curricular “Economia do Turismo”, de opção, lecionada a alunos de vários cursos de mestrado da EEG, a funcionar no 2º semestre do ano letivo 2016/2017)
(Artigo de opinião produzido no âmbito da unidade curricular “Economia do Turismo”, de opção, lecionada a alunos de vários cursos de mestrado da EEG, a funcionar no 2º semestre do ano letivo 2016/2017)
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