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.