Thailand has extended an invitation to Singapore to join the 'Six Countries, One Destination' initiative, a campaign designed to boost tourism across six ASEAN nations.

The program is expected to launch by the end of 2025.

On April 22, two advisors to the Thai Foreign Minister, Dusit Manapan and Chayika Wongnapachant, visited Singapore to introduce the initiative. Singapore’s Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, has reportedly shown interest in participating.

Prior to this, Thailand had already engaged in discussions with Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

The "Six Countries, One Destination" concept aims to facilitate cross-border travel and encourage shared tourism experiences across Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and one more ASEAN country yet to be confirmed.

A joint working group will be established to manage logistics and oversee the project's rollout.

Focus on Premium Tourism

As part of the initiative, Thailand has proposed a variety of premium tourism experiences. These include cruise routes connecting Singapore, Penang, Phuket, and Ho Chi Minh City; land tours highlighting Peranakan heritage in southern Thailand and Malaysia; culinary journeys through southern Thailand and Johor Bahru; self-drive tours across the peninsula; and seasonal trips tied to local festivals and events.

Promotional activities will encompass hotel and dining packages featuring Michelin-rated restaurants and partner hotels across the regions.

A Schengen-style Single Visa

The "Six Countries, One Destination" initiative initially planned to include a single visa scheme like the Schengen in Europe. If successfully implemented, this visa scheme will allow tourists to visit all six countries with one visa.

According to Travel and Tour World, Thailand and Malaysia would gain significant benefits, as both countries currently receive over half of the annual revenue of U$90 billion or more than Rp1,500 trillion generated by tourism in the region.

Improvements in cross-border travel are expected to increase the flow of tourists to both countries, potentially reaching 70 million visitors annually.

Furthermore, Thailand has introduced visa-free entry for citizens from 93 countries, including those with the largest tourist populations, positioning the country to warmly welcome visitors as part of this integrated approach.

(source)