South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation

Post-workshop Statement

The Second Meeting of the Tourism Working Group under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation program (SASEC) was held in Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu, Nepal on 31 May - 2 June 2002.

The meeting was jointly chaired by Mr. Nagendra Ghimire, Officiating Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, His Majesty's Government of Nepal, and Mr. Masaaki Nagata, Principal Programs Officer, ADB. The other countries participating in the program include Bangladesh, Bhutan and India.

The Working Group prioritized and recommended the following programs/projects. In identifying subregional projects, priority was placed on those projects, which will benefit at least two countries.

• Adoption of a Policy Statement or SASEC Tourism Charter
• Establishment of a SASEC Tourism Center in Kathmandu to develop and implement programs for subregional tourism development
• Formation of SASEC Tourism Sub-Working Groups for: National Tourism Organization (NTO) Heads, Heads of SASEC Airlines, Heads of Hotel Associations; Heads of Tour Operators Associations and any others as deemed necessary
• Launching a cohesive joint marketing and promotional program to position and promote SASEC as a brand, based on the theme "Share a spiritual experience in SASEC"
• Work towards a common SASEC Visa issuance and formulate other program to better facilitate travel to and between SASEC countries
• Commissioning of the preparation of a SASEC Tourism Master Plan based on the branding and promotional efforts
• Undertaking a SASEC Tourism Sector Human Resources Development Study to be supported by ADB and implement the recommended projects
• Utilization of the New Asian Highway to lever on, as the backbone for overland tourist movement to and through the subregion)
• Further development and implementation of the key projects proposed in the draft Report, particularly in transport sector to ensure the development of good access by air, road, rail and river as appropriate by identifying possible financing sources and packaging, if necessary
• Consideration, in view of the smaller size and private sector initiatives of the above projects, of the establishment of a SASEC Tourism Investment Fund whose modalities will be worked out by the ADB in consultation with the Tourism Working Group.

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