ASEAN tourism heads vow to protect kids from abuses

DAVAO CITY — The tourism ministers of the 10 member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) vowed to carry out measures that would protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation in the region’s tourist destinations.

In their meetings here as part of the ongoing nine-day ASEAN Tourism Forum, the tourism ministers expressed their support for a regional educational campaign to combat sexual abuse and exploitation of children in tourism destinations in the region.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said, though, that regulatory measures are already in place in each member-country to protect women and children.

The move came amid reports that certain ASEAN destinations have become havens for sex tourism, victimizing even children.

The ASEAN comprises Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

The region has performed well in terms of tourist arrivals with 49.9 million by the end of 2005, or 4.7 percent higher than in 2004.

Meanwhile, the ASEAN tourism ministers also agreed to further strengthen the existing regional cooperation on tourism forged when the ASEAN Tourism Forum was put up in 1981.

"The regional cooperation has gone this far after 25 years and we have more than substantial achievements through the years, resulting in easier travel within the region. We are going to work harder so such cooperation can be stronger," said Vivian Balakrishan, Singapore minister for community development, youth and sports and second minister for trade and industry.

Balakrishan said strengthening the existing regional cooperation would help much in addressing whatever challenges and threats the region’s tourism industry would face in the future.

"We cannot stop earthquakes, tsunamis and other disasters from taking place, but we now know better how to address the problems affecting the tourism industry in the ASEAN region," Balakrishan added.

Indonesian Minister on Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik also cited the solidarity among ASEAN nations through the years.

"We have a strong solidarity (in the) ASEAN in the area of tourism cooperation. We may compete as separate tourism destinations but we also complement (each other). And we all want to grow together as one in the ASEAN," Wacik said.

Durano echoed Wacik’s view, saying, "While it is true that each of the ASEAN countries competes for tourists, we also complement each other. ATF is not (about) competition but complementation. There is enough business for everyone."

Of the 140-million tourists worldwide, 49.9 million reportedly visited ASEAN destinations.

"And with that, the Philippines just needs three million tourist arrivals. So, it really also has something to do with the absorptive capacity of each country. But still there is enough for everyone," said Durano, who chaired the ASEAN tourism ministers’ meeting here.

The nine-day ATF 2006 formally opened last Tuesday night in a grandiose ceremony at the Davao Central Bank Convention Center.