JAKARTA: (Bernama-Antara) The Asean Tourism Association (Aseanta) has launched two initiatives to expand tourism opportunities in Southeast Asian countries, reported Antara news agency.
"The first is the 39th Aseanta Tourism Awards, and the second is the Discover Asean microsite by AirAsia MOVE,” said Aseanta President Eddy Krismeidi at the launch event held at the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta on Friday (Aug 8).
Eddy said the two initiatives not only reflect Aseanta’s response to current tourism challenges but also its readiness to seize future opportunities. "These initiatives reflect our determination to recover, innovate, and thrive,” he said.
The Aseanta Tourism Awards, he explained, have been held for 39 editions and have long served as a platform to recognise and honour the best in Asean tourism-from community-based initiatives to large-scale innovations in marketing, sustainability, and excellence in tourism services.
Registration for the Aseanta Tourism Awards is now open and will close on Oct 31,2025, with the winners to be officially announced at the Asean Tourism Forum 2026 in the Philippines.
The second initiative presented at the event was the launch of the Discover Asean microsite, a digital travel booking platform from AirAsia MOVE, introduced by Aseanta in collaboration with AirAsia.
"This microsite curates essential and inspiring content, from cuisine, culture, and attractive destinations to verified immigration links and the latest travel information,” he said.
The application, he added, integrates tourism services that travelers need and want while also enabling easy access to flights and hotel rooms.
"In this way, intra-Asean travel becomes more intuitive, informative, and inspiring,” Eddy said.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa expressed the government’s appreciation for Aseanta’s efforts in realising the two initiatives.
According to her, both initiatives are a tangible manifestation of a collective commitment that strengthens digital innovation, public-private collaboration, and shared sustainability values to reshape the regional tourism landscape.
"The values of peace, solidarity, and cooperation that define Asean are reflected today through our shared aspirations for an integrated, competitive, and sustainable tourism sector,” she said.
In addition to Deputy Minister Ni Luh Puspa, the launch of the two initiatives was also attended by Asean Deputy Secretary-General Nararya S. Soeprapto and AirAsia MOVE Head of Strategic Partnerships Yizhen Fung. - Bernama-Antara
