Last year, approximately 70 million tourists visited Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam collectively. Sensing a potential tourism surge in the future, Thailand's Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, is spearheading an effort to establish a Schengen-like visa program for these six Southeast Asian nations. This initiative aims to enhance travel convenience for visitors across these neighboring countries and attract more high-spending tourists, ultimately boosting the tourism sector. Reports suggest that Srettha has discussed this proposed single-visa system with fellow leaders, receiving mostly positive responses. The question remains: will this unified visa scheme prove advantageous for tourists?
Former president of the Thai Hotels Association, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, believes that a shared visa could make it simpler for long-haul travelers to choose these destinations for their journeys. To ensure its appeal, she suggests extending the visa validity to 90 days rather than the standard 30-day period. Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks, adds that beyond its tourism benefits, seamless visa-free travel could also facilitate business travel and trade, fostering overall regional development.
While the single-visa proposal represents one of Srettha's most ambitious tourism strategies, it is designed for long-term impact. The tourism sector has played a vital role in the countries' economies, accounting for a significant portion of jobs and GDP. Even during challenging times like pandemics, tourism has been a resilient sector, cushioning against declines in manufacturing and exports, which are typical economic pillars. Notably, the six Southeast Asian nations collectively welcomed 70 million foreign visitors in 2023, with Thailand and Malaysia being top contributors, bringing in around $48 billion in tourism earnings.
I began my career in the banking industry in 1997, and stayed approx 6 years in it. This industry boost his knowledge about the economic condition in Indonesia, both macro and micro, and how to
More
understand it. My banking career continued in Yogyakarta when I joined in a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),as the coordinator for a program aimed to help improve the quality of learning and teaching process in private universities in Yogyakarta. When the earthquake stroke Yogyakarta, I chose to join an international NGO working in the area of ?disaster response and management, which allows me to help rebuild the city, as well as other disaster-stricken area in Indonesia. I went on to become the coordinator for emergency response in the Asia Pacific region. Then I was assigned for 1 year in Cambodia, as a country coordinator mostly to deliver developmental programs (water and sanitation, education, livelihood). In 2009, he continued his career as a protocol and HR officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, and two years later I joined the Political and Economic Section until now, where i have to deal with extensive range of people and government officials, as well as private and government institution troughout eastern Indonesia.
I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief in Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), a growing and influential social media movement, and was selected as one of The Most Influential Netizen 2011 by The Marketeers magazine.
I also wrote a book on "Fundamentals of Disaster Management in 2007"?, "Good News From Indonesia : Beragam Prestasi Anak Bangsa di dunia"? which was luanched in August 2013, and "Indonesia Bersyukur"? which is launched in Sept 2013. In 2014, 3 books were released in which i was one of the writer; "Indonesia Pelangi Dunia"?, "Indonesia The Untold Stories"? and "Growing! Meretas Jalan Kejayaan"
I give lectures to students in lectures nationwide, sharing on full range of issues, from economy, to diplomacy
Less
View all posts
