The tourism ministers of the ASEAN issued a declaration Friday in Phnom Penh to stand united in ensuring the safety and security of travelers in ASEAN.
In its eight-point declaration released after the Sixth Meeting of ASEAN tourism Ministers, ministers stressed that the safety and security is the heart of tourism, "We are committed to working together with the relevant government bodies in combating terrorism, including preventive and repressive actions to ensure the safety and security of travelers in this region."
Tourism is a significant industry in the promotion of economic benefits and social unity, it added.
ASEAN member countries will review existing policies and adopt appropriate measures to prevent tourism related threats, it said.
It called on ASEAN member countries to strengthen information sharing network within ASEAN as well as between ASEAN and China, Japan and South Korea and other countries.
In addition, it said, an ASEAN webpage will be created to provide precise and timely information on tourism safety and security for public and private, media as well as foreign governments.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.
(People?s Day January 25, 2003)
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