ACE Magazine: Issue 2 / 2016 ACE Magazine: Issue 2 / 2016 | Page 58

ASEAN COMMUNITY OF ENTREPRENEURS SPOTLIGHT wider broadband and mobile network penetration, coupled with innovative online travel solutions have also served as enabling factors that have made traveling more hassle free. Today’s consumers are always connected and enjoy making their travel planning and booking arrangements online or via their mobile phones. Indeed, SMEs in this sector would be missing out if they do not take advantage of this development by having their products listed on popular travel websites such as Agoda, Expedia and TripAdvisor, among others. Social media sites like Facebook and Instagram are also must-have business tools free-wifi service is up to speed and reliable to avoid negative feedback. As we desire to develop the tourism sector further, it is important to preserve the ASEAN tourism edge. The World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitive Survey 2015 reports that nature and heritage are key competitive strength of the region’s tourism sector. The Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia are among the world’s 17 countries identified by Conservation International as mega-diverse countries that harbour a majority of the Earth’s species as well as a high number of endemic species. With tourist arrivals to ASEAN expected to increase by 123 million for promoting and engaging with customers. These two-way engagement tools are important for SMEs to monitor online enquiries and feedbacks and respond to them in a timely manner. In the accommodation subsector, today’s travellers place high importance to reliable Internet access. The TripAdvisor Global Travel Economy Report 2015 reveals that 74% file “free-wifi” as a key factor in deciding their accommodation. Certainly, the numbers would be higher among the Gen-Y and millennial travellers. As people are increasingly comfortable in sharing their travel experiences online, it is also important to ensure that the International Visitor Arrivals to ASEAN 120 102.2 100 105 89.2 81.2 Millions 80 60 42 43.8 40 38.4 52.8 56 2005 2006 62.3 65.4 65.7 2007 2008 2009 73.8 49.1 20 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2010 2011 2012 Source: ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025 56 ASEAN COMMUNITY OF ENTREPRENEURS | ISSUE 2 : 2016 2013 2014