ACMECS Tourism Ministerial meeting in HCM City

The first Ayeyarwady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) tourism ministerial meeting was held in HCM City on September 11 within the International Tourism Fair framework.
They expressed their delight at the improvement of ACMECS’ tourism in 2012 with more than 37 million foreign visitors, up nearly 18 percent on the previous year’s level and reviewed tourism cooperation in ACMECS under the Vientiane Declaration and ACMECS action plan which was approved at the ACMECS Summit in March in Laos.
They acknowledged the progress already made in promotion, human resource development and security and safety for visitors. Ministers emphasised the importance of encouraging the relevant agencies and localities to participate and help strengthen cooperation, and facilitate safe easy travel throughout the region, including the granting of ACMECS visas in 2013.
The ACMECS Tourism Minister Declaration was issued with the aim of maintaining and promoting the improvements made in tourism and accelerating effective cooperation between the countries.
Under the theme “Five countries – one destination”, the ministers agreed to raise the number of foreign arrivals to the region to two digits by 2015
They also concurred to build a new tourism corridor (Bagan-Chiang Mai-LuangPrabang-Vientiane-Siem Reap-Danang-Hue) as approved at the fifth ACMECS summit.
The second ACMECS tourism ministerial meeting is scheduled for Myanmar in 2015 when the country is the host of the ACMECS Summit..