1. Destination ASEAN, Beyond 2015

The 2015 year-end will mark a new era for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that seeks to transform from a loosely held cooperating nations to a more closely knit “ASEAN Economic Community” (AEC) of over 600 million people. Greater economic cooperation is predicted to accelerate intra-ASEAN mobility. The AEC is expected to be characterized by the removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade, common external tariffs, and free movement of capital, goods, labor, and people. In all of ASEAN, tourism is a key economic sector that has implications for societies and cultures. This chapter evaluates the integrating elements that affect the tourism sector in member states. Building on earlier research and current tourism industry practices in ASEAN, three key areas are examined: employment and inbound and intra-ASEAN travel strategies. The implementation of the mutual recognition agreement and managed mobility of skilled labor opens up new economic vistas for people in the region seeking opportunities beyond national boundaries.