In the news: Online poll on Internet habits of travellers from Singapore, ASEAN tourism goes social, India eases visa rule

No disconnect from technology for Singaporean travellers

An online poll conducted by Norton by Symantec with 100 respondents in Singapore on Internet usage habits of consumers while travelling revealed that most want to be connected. They bring multiple devices with them, check the Internet at least once a day and connect with social networks are among some of the key findings listed below:

1. Internet on the go

• People in Singapore brought an average of 1.72 devices with them.

• Majority brought at least one smartphone (93%).

• 81% checked the Internet daily, with 33% saying they need to do so.

• Top three Internet activities while travelling:

– use social networks (80%)

– update family and friends (71%)

– find out more about destinations (66%)

Although almost 45% of the people polled do not think about their mobile and online security, the number who have experienced exposed cybercrime is small – 9 out of 10 (90%).

2. Security not top of mind

People in Singapore have been fortunate so far, and therefore they do not think about cybercrime while travelling.

• 88% of respondents have not experienced mobile device related theft or cybercrime while travelling.

• 45% do not even think about their own mobile and online security while travellin.

3. Taking risks and exposing themselves unnecessarily

75% accessed the Internet with their mobile devices, and were more than twice as likely to use an unsecured public network

– via unsecured public networks (91%).

– via secured personal networks (44%).

– via both public and personal networks (36%).

.ASEAN Tourism goes digital and social

In January 2013, ASEAN is scheduled to launch a new-look ASEAN Tourismwebsite in English (www.aseantourism.travel) and one in Chinese (www.dongnanya.travel).

ASEAN is also developing tourism promotion pages for SinaWeibo.com, the largest social media platform in China. The SinaWeibo pages are being developed with support from the ASEAN China Centre. ASEAN’s SinaWeibo content will be available early 2013.

ASEAN will also launch its first Facebook app in January 2013. The aim is to encourage travellers to Southeast Asian destinations to share their travel experiences on mobile devices as they happen.

In a related event Indonesia Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, in a Q&A last month voiced her thoughts on ASEAN’s tourism priorities and why the grouping needs better connectivity and infrastructure.

“In order to meet infrastructure needs, joint frameworks such as public-private partnerships should be welcomed,” she said, adding that niche and mass tourism could easily be promoted simultaneously. Read the interview here.

India relaxes tourist visa curbs

India has lifted regulations that required tourists to wait for two months between visits to the country.

The tourist visa rule, which was imposed after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, had made travel difficult and complicated for visitors, and was criticised by some countries.

India Home Ministry, in a statement, said the government decided to lift the restriction of the two-month gap on re-entry of foreign nationals coming to India following a government review.

However, nationals of Afghanistan, China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, foreigners of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin and stateless persons will continue to come under the 60-day gap rule

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