UNWTO Optimistic Single Destination Boost Tourism

Manado (Antara Bali) - The United Nations  World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is optimistic that the ASEAN Single Destination program will help boost the tourism sector in Southeast Asia.

"The potential of a single destination for ASEAN is very good. Currently, Southeast Asia's tourism has contributed 7.5 to eight percent to the world's tourism growth. So, 74 to 75 million tourists visited this region in a year," UNWTO Secretary General Taleb D Rifai said here Thursday.

Tourism growth in Southeast Asia was one of the world's fastest, he said adding that by combining the endeavors and natural resources of all member countries of ASEAN, the tourism condition in the region would be better.

Based on a 2030 tourism study conducted by UNWTO, in the next 20 years, Southeast Asia would become a region with the fastest growth in the tourism industry.

"According to our calculation, the average tourism growth rate is over six percent annually. So, the combination will be better," Rifai said.

Earlier, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said  preparations for the ASEAN single destination program had made some progress.(IGT)