ICAO: Asean’s airports subpar for tourist economy
Asean countries need to accelerate investment in basic infrastructure development to accommodate the 6.5% annual growth in international tourist arrivals, says the head of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“Despite Asean being featured as the fastest-growing tourism market in the world, the region still lacks proper airports to support an adequate tourism economy, including Thailand and Indonesia,” ICAO regional director Arun Mishra said yesterday on the second day of a global travel and tourism summit in Bangkok.
With the continuing influx of foreign tourists in recent years, he said all Asean countries should comply with the Asean Open Sky policy or Asean Single Aviation market to increase regional and domestic connectivity and support airlines based in Asean member states to fly freely throughout the region.
Mr Mishra also said countries that have airlines operating regional passenger air service will have greater bargaining power with European and Chinese airline giants to jointly promote tourism in the region.
Promoting the region as an aviation hub is also another crucial element in promoting the region’s tourism industry.
Mr Mishra said lack of sufficient airport capacity to meet traffic demands and the resulting congestion, as well as a shortage of aviation personnel, posed key challenges in supporting the strong growth of tourism industry in the region.
Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya supported that Asean still needs more basic infrastructure to handle the influx of foreign tourists to the region.
Tony Fernandes, chief executive of AirAsia, urged governments in Asean to build more airports dedicated to low-cost carriers, which will in turn lower air fares for passengers as well as promote overall tourism in the region.
Low-cost airlines are not prepared to pay for standard procedures, including services and equipment available at airports, such as boarding bridges or bus transport.
He pointed out airports in Britain as an example of low-cost facilities featuring the full range of airport services on par with traditional airlines.
Mr Fernandes also urged the Thai government to allow 100% foreign investment in aviation sector, up from the restricted 49% currently.