Kuala lumpur: The one-day ASEAN Tourism Ministers' Retreat here today focused on enhancing connectivity at member states' entry points.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot stated that the initiative is aimed at easing congestion during peak tourist arrivals by land, air, and sea.

He highlighted that a future rail system between Singapore and Malaysia is in the pipeline, which will cut travel time to just five minutes in either direction. Additionally, the immigration process will be streamlined, requiring only a single checkpoint between the two countries.

Furthermore, member states discussed expanding the use of autogate systems, especially at airports, to expedite tourist entry and facilitate quicker baggage collection.

In addressing the Northeast Monsoon, which typically occurs at the end of the year, Shaharuddin noted that it does not significantly impact tourism activities. In fact, some activities, such as surfing and rainforest adventure challenges, depend on such weather conditions.