The 27th Meeting of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Tourism was held in Bandung, Indonesia on 14-16 January 1991 and coincided with the ASEAN Tourism Forum, 1991. It was preceded by the Ninth ASEAN Heads of NTOs Meeting in Lembang, Bandung.

The Meeting was chaired by Mr. Pek Hock Thiam, Executive Director, Singapore Tourist Promotion Board and concurrently chairman of ASEAN SCOT.

The Meeting was attended by Mr. Md. Kamaruddin bin Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Wahab, Deputy Director, Economic Development Board, Negara Brunei Darussalam, Mr. Joop Ave, Director General, Directorate General of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Badri Haji Masri, Director-General, Tourist Development Corporation, Malaysia, Ms. Narzalina Z. Lim, Undesecretary for Planning, Product Development and Coordination, Department of Tourism, Republic of the Philippines, Mr. Othman Wok, Board Member, Singapore Tourist Promotion Board, Republic of Singapore, Mr. Dharmnoon Prachaubmoh, Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Kingdom of Thailand and their delegations. The Executive Director of ATIC and his staff, representatives from ASEAN Secretariat and ASEANTA were also present.

The Meeting unanimously nominated Mr. Joop Ave, leader of the Indonesian delegation, as Vice Chairman.

The Meeting took note of the directives given by the 9th Meeting of the ASEAN Heads of NTOs on 13 January 1991 and assigned the Working Group on Marketing and the Working Group on Research and Development to initiate and develop programmes and activities in line with the directives.

ASEAN Tourism Report 1990 was a major topic of discussion. It was noted that ASEAN member countries collectively recorded a total of 16.7 million visitors in the year 1989 representing an increase of 16.6% over that of the previous year and generating an income of US$ 10.2 billion for the region.

Although the future tourism outlook for the ASEAN region showed an encouraging trend, a number of serious developments such as the worsening situation in the Gulf area, rising oil prices, the possibility of a more severe 'US recession and the uncertain conclusion of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations would have a negative bearing on worldwide tourism including the tourism industry of the region.

To face these challenges and their possible impact on ASEAN tourism, the Meeting agreed that there was a need to continually upgrade and revitalise destination areas to ensure they do not suffer from product fatigue and that there was adequate investment in human resource development. Personal safety and security of tourists would also need to be further assured. In addition, ASEAN's unique cultural and natural heritage should be preserved.

The promotion campaign for Visit ASEAN Year 1992 was officially launched by the ASEAN Heads of NTOs on 13 January 1991 at Gedung Merdeka In Bandung. All preparations for the VAY'92 have progressed as scheduled. The various collateral including the calendar of events, posters, brochures and tour shells as well as the advertising materials have been completed. The ASEAN film was also previewed during the ATF 1991.

Furthermore, assurances have been given by ASEAN National Carriers and ASEANTA of their positive support in promoting the VAY'92. With the mounting uncertainties in the world facing ASEAN tourism in the immediate future, the Meeting urged all concerned to give their full support to ensure the successful outcome of the VAY'92.

Joint partnership between the private and public sectors of tourism in ASEAN continues to bear fruitful results. The ASEANTA held, joint sessions with SCOT where issues of mutual concern were discussed. A SCOT-ASEANTA Joint-Committee as a body to provide inter alia, strategic directions to ASEAN tourism had also been formed.

The ATF '91, with the theme "Achieving Success Through Regional Cooperation", which brought together 405 ASEAN-based sellers and 255 buyers from around the world as well as government officials and more than 100 international and national journalists, bore testimony to this successful partnership. For the next ATF, scheduled on 17-25 January 1992, the islands of Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia have been chosen as the venue.

The Meeting reviewed other, tourism cooperation programmes including the EC funded European Tourism Marketing Plan and the Integrated Tourism Manpower Training Project as well as the ASEAN Week in Seoul, Republic of Korea which is aimed at fostering an awareness of ASEAN in ROK.

The year 1990 has been one of further consolidation. Efforts would need to be further enhanced to promote tourism in the region as ASEAN enters a new and challenging decade.

The delegations from Negara Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Singapore-and the Kingdom of Thailand expressed their appreciation to the Government and the people of the Republic of Indonesia for the warm hospitality accorded to them and the excellent arrangements made for the Meeting.

The Meeting was held in the traditional spirit of ASEAN cordiality and solidarity.