A framework for analyzing intergovernmental collaboration – The case of ASEAN tourism

Intergovernmental collaboration in tourism among ASEAN nations has received little attention in the literature despite the significant economic contribution that tourism makes in the region. This paper helps to improve our understanding of the phenomenon by providing an overview of the progress made since 2002, and exploring the factors that facilitated and hindered progress. It was found that many of the suggested measures in the action plan, 'Roadmap for Integration of Tourism Sector’, were either not implemented at all or are overdue, although relatively significant progress was made in travel facilitation and human resources development. The authors suggest that current theories of collaboration do not adequately explain the patterns of ASEAN tourism. The paper seeks to expand the boundaries of theory by presenting a framework of collaboration which dissects the facilitators and inhibitors along three dimensions: stakeholders, resources, and processes and mechanisms. Recommendations to expedite and strengthen the collaboration are then formulated.