A forum on the future of tourism in the Indian Ocean region will discuss proposals which could have significant long-term implications for the industry, Premier Carmen Lawrence said today.
Dr Lawrence said the forum would build on tourism initiatives discussed during the `Into Asia' convention.
The forum would consider:
· increasing tourism promotion of the Indian Ocean region;
· establishing a regional authority to co-ordinate promotion;
· increasing access to areas of tourism potential; and -
· establishing a regional centre for tourism education and training.
Dr Lawrence said tourism was destined to be one of the principal industries of the Indian Ocean region for years to come.
"The region attracts about 45.5 million visitors annually. This is an impressive figure but it represents only little more than 10 per cent of total world tourism," she said.
"And while tourism contributes more than $30 billion to the economies of the nations of the Indian Ocean region, many of their tourism activities are fragmented.
"There is plenty of scope for a more co-ordinated approach to tourism which would be to the benefit of all the countries in the region."
The forum would be held at the Government House Ballroom from 9.30 am tomorrow.
