Draft Resolution Sponsored by the Lao People's Democratic Republic

THE SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIA PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM

Recalling Resolution No. 26GA/2005/Eco/01 adopted by the 26^th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization General Assembly on Promoting Cultural and Eco-Tourism to Stimulate Economic Growth;

Noting the Commitment to implement the ASEAN Tourism Agreement signed by the ASEAN leaders at the 8^th ASEAN Summit on 4^th November, 2002 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the Vientiane Declaration on Enhancing ASEAN Tourism Cooperation by the ASEAN Tourism Ministers in Vientiane, Lao PDR on 3^rd February 2004;

Recognizing the importance of the Tourism sector in generating employment and income thereby improving the living standards of the people in the rural and urban areas and so helping to reduce poverty and narrow the development gap among APPF Member States;

Realizing that the sustainability of tourism in APPF countries is based on promoting traditional lifestyles and cultural identities, and protecting and preserving the natural resources and the environment as well as the cultural heritage;

Reaffirming that Tourism Development needs the fullest support from the Governments of APPF Member States in various areas namely: the sharing and exchanging of information, greater networking, mobilization of resources and increased efforts to achieve sustainable tourism development.

Resolves to:

1.            Welcome and Support efforts made by APPF Member Governments to promote Tourism Development programs;

2.            Encourage APPF Member Countries to consider appropriate components relating to sustainable tourism development in APPF Member States such as Community-Based Tourism circuits and supply chains between production villages and tourist markets;

3.            Call on the governments of APPF Member States to promote the development of tourism-related infrastructure projects, enhance mutual assistance in human resource development, strengthen cooperation and to develop, upgrade and expand tourism and travel facilities and services in the APPF countries, particularly in those states with the least developed infrastructure;

4.            Call upon APPF Member Parliaments, through their legislative and capacity building activities to maximize each Member’s internal strengths in order to harmonize and enhance the legal and regulatory frameworks of the countries in the region with a view to strengthening intra-APPF cooperation and creating favorable conditions for the public and private sectors to participate effectively in the Promotion of Sustainable Tourism Development;

5.            Request APPF Member States to set up a mechanism to enhance cooperation in the Promotion of Sustainable Tourism Development and in particular for the least developed countries through the exchange of information and experience, the coordination of tourism policies and programs, the sharing best practices and expertise, the marketing, the training, the research and the dissemination of information.