TOURISM PIE

Competition intensifies as ASEAN nations vie for foreign visitors

Editor's note: In this weekly feature China Daily gives voice to Asia and its people. The stories presented come mainly from the Asia News Network (ANN), of which China Daily is among its 20 leading titles.

As tourism becomes the fastest way to inject revenue into national economies, countries around the world are competing for international travelers amid a global economic slowdown.

This battle for tourists now involves aggressive visa facilitation, streamlined travel measures, and significant promotional budgets — efforts not merely aimed at enhancing the national image, but at generating tangible economic circulation.