AIMING to boost tourism in the region, airlines, hotels, travel agents and national tourism organisations in Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries have joined together to create the Visit ASEAN Pass program (VAP).

Linking the neighbouring countries, the new pass is aimed at streamlining tourism in the area, allowing visitors to move with ease at a discounted price.
Launched at the end of last year, the VAP comprises three different passes that include airline travel, hotels and tours in all the participating countries.

The airline pass, called AirPass and negotiated by national carriers in each country, requires users to purchase a minimum of three subsidised flight coupons (US$319) and up to a maximum of five flight coupons ($559) for flights within the region.

ASEAN airlines participating in the program include Myanmar Airways International, Thai Airways International, Malaysia Airlines, Lao Airlines, Garuda Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines and Vietnam Airlines.

“The AirPass seeks to not only increase the airlines business but also to boost the regions tourism industry in general,” a spokesperson at Malaysian Airlines Yangon office said, adding that any growth in the tourism industry will create new business opportunities for local communities.