ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Retreat Focuses On Enhancing Connectivity
MELAKA, Sept 29 (Bernama) — The one-day ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Retreat here today focused on enhancing connectivity at member states’ entry points.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot said the move was aimed at easing congestion during peak tourist arrivals by land, air and sea.
“For instance, a future rail system between Singapore and Malaysia will cut travel time to just five minutes in either direction.
“The immigration process will also be streamlined, with only a single checkpoint required between the two countries,” he told reporters after the retreat.
He added that member states had also discussed expanding the use of autogate systems, particularly at airports, to expedite tourist entry and speed up baggage collection.
On the Northeast Monsoon, which usually occurs at the end of the year, Shaharuddin said it does not significantly affect tourism activities, noting that some, such as surfing and rainforest adventure challenges, actually rely on such weather conditions.
— BERNAMA
