Cross Border Cooperation in Tourism Development in the North South Economic Corridor

Tourism as a Catalyst for Spurring SocioEconomic Development along the GMS Economic Corridors

Rationale for Tourism Development on the North South Economic Corridor

The NSEC traverses many unique natural and cultural landscapes of great interest to international and domestic tourist markets Tourism development should be viewed as a component of an integrated approach to socioeconomic development plans and programs in the NSEC Tourism development can be an early provider of pro-poor economic opportunities in the NSEC

The views expressed in this paper/presentation are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. Terminology used may not necessarily be consistent with ADB official terms.

NSEC Tourism Resources

The NSEC has a rich and diverse set of natural, cultural and urban tourism resources that include globally recognized attractions such as: Sukhothai Ayuthaya Louang Prabang Guilin Karst Landscape Halong Bay The tourism resources of the NSEC are of great interest to international and domestic markets

Large Tourism Volumes With Strong Growth Prospects

35,000,000 30,000,000 25,000,000 20,000,000 15,000,000 10,000,000 5,000,000 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Thailand Guangxi Yunnan Vietnam

The end nodes of the NSEC already attract over 30 million international tourists + 90 million domestic tourists Total international tourism is forecast to exceed 58 million and domestic by + 150 million by 2020 An increasing share of this will visit tourist destinations and attractions in the NSEC

Private car ownership in the GMS countries is forecast to rise more than 1000% in the next 20 years (PATA). One outcome of this is that touring by private vehicle will become a major form of tourism within the region, as it is in Europe, North America and Australasia. The NSEC will facilitate this new form of tourism.

Areas of Cooperation in Tourism on the NSEC

Facilitation of cross border tourist movements-improve facilities, visa requirements, and single stop processing Development of NSEC Road Service Centers and Rest Areas Development of community and private sector operated scenic sites and attractions adjacent to the NSEC roadway Provision of last mile accessand site infrastrucutre Privision of road signage and information Capacity building support for local community participation

Areas For Cooperation Facilitiating Cross Border Movements

Country
Thailand

Activity
Border facility improvements at Chiang Khong (to Lao PDR), and Mae Sai (to Myanmar) Border facility improvements at Boten (to PRC) and at Huay Xai (to Thailand) Border facility improvements at Mong La (to PRC) and Tachilek (to Thailand) Border facilitiy improvements at Mohan (to Lao PDR), Mengla (to Myanmar), Hekou (to Viet Nam) Visa on arrival & Border Pass available Visa on arrival & Border Pass available Not clear

Lao PDR

Myanmar

PRC-Yunnan

Visa prior to travel required

PRC-Guangxi

Border facility improvements at Pingxiang (to Viet Nam) Border facility improvement at Dong Dang (to PRC), and at Lao Cai (PRC)

Visa prior to travel required Visa prior to travel required

Viet Nam

Although much progress has been made in improving cross border arrangements, the smooth flow of tourists is still impeded by need to secure visas or passes before departure when crossing into China, Myanmar, and Viet Nam

Current Model for Developing Tourist Driven Economic Opportunities An Opportunistic Model
Gateway Node
Waterfall

Ethnic Village Cave

Gateway Node
Scenic Lookout

Forest Area

This approach ResortTourism can help provide livelihood opportunites for communities living adjacent to the NSEC

Areas of Cooperation in Developing Tourist Sites

Lao PDR
Nam Ha Protected Area Visitor and Intrpretation Center

PRC-Yunnan
Menglun Botanic Gardensaccess + site improvements

PRC-Guangxi
Zijiang-Bajiaozhai Scenic Spot in Ziyan Countyaccess + site improvements

Viet Nam
Bac Kan Cultural heritage Center, Bac Kan Provincevisitor and interpretation center

Nam Eng Cave Complexaccess + facilities Vat Mahaphot Ancient Site access + facilities Nam Pahe Scenic Viewpointaccess + facilities

Mengyuan Village & Limestone Cave access + site improvements Moxie VillageSite access + site improvements Shang Yong national Protected Area Ecotourism Porjectaccess + site improvements Aini Village and Mineral Springs Siteaccess + site improvements

Longji Terraced Fields in Longsheng Countyaccess + site improvements Jinxiu Dayaoshan Scenic Siteaccess + site improvements Huanshan Cliff Paintings Scenic Siteaccess + restoration & conservation + site visitor improvements Youyi Pass Historic Site in Pingxiang Countyaccess + restoration & conservation + site visitor improvements

Development is proceeding on many sites in the NSEC but there is a need to ensure that these are sustainable, and build the capacity of local comunities to participate

Don Chai/Phimonsin Village Handicraft Marketaccess + facilities

The Way Forward: NSEC Tourism Development Linking Tourism Destinations and Circuits that are Purpose Designed
Gateway Node
Cultural Heritage Destination Ecotourism Destination ResortTourism This approach can make considerable contributions to broadbased socioeconomic development and poverty reduction

Gateway Node
Rural Tourism Destination

Adventure Tourism Destination

Resort Tourism Destination

Key Challenges Going Forward

Perfecting cross border arrangements to allow smooth movement of tourists along the the NSEC Moving to a tourist circuit and destination development approach Managing tourism growth in the NSEC so that it is sustainable:
safeguarding natural and cultural heritage protecting vulnerable groups Ensuring that development is pro-poor

enhancing private sector participation

Thank You