ATRA or Asean Tourism Research Association was created in November 2013 by a group of Institutions of Higher Learning from the ASEAN region with a research interest in Tourism. It aims to support the ASEAN integration policies through tourism research and innovation. In this role ATRA supports the objectives expressed in the ASEAN Tourism Structure Plan 2015-2025 (ATSP). 

 

Since 2015 the 10 country members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are united in a political, economic and so

cio-cultural community (ASEAN Community). Inside the ASEAN Community, Tourism is recognised as a major industry and contributors to the ASEAN economy. The ASEAN region has received more than 100 million tourists in 2015.

 

Tourism is recognized as a driver and advocates for further integration of a region with important disparities. To support this growth, tourism research and expertise in the region is essential. This association will explore the need and feasibility of establishing a research network between universities involved in tourism research in the ASEAN region.

 

ATRA, as an association, is dedicated to enhance collaboration on tourism for the academia and researchers within and outside ASEAN through a network of tourism research clusters in Institutions of Higher learning from the region