The Nathan-managed USAID ASEAN Competitiveness Enhancement\r\n(ACE) Project, Wego Travel Search Pte Ltd (wego.com),we, and the ASEAN Tourism Association are launching a ”one stop shop” for tourism planning in Southeast Asia.

The new website, SoutheastAsia.org,will help tourists map out their trip, prepare rough budgets, and find “in real time” the best prices and packages available from airlines, hotels, and travel suppliers. When they find a deal they like they can click through to the suppliers’ websites to book directly and save itineraries to share with friends.

The site will cater to niche tourism interests, such as ecotourism, train travel, cultural sightseeing, and cruising. According to ACE Project Director, R.J.Gurley, “Visitors will be able to research, plan and book experiences ranging from stays in village guest houses, trekking and mountain biking in the hills,all the way to pampering in luxury beach resorts and spas.”

The site is the anchor of a destination marketing campaign that encourages multi-destination travel to and within the 10 member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Having local travel “suppliers” offer services online also advances regional integration and marketing.

SoutheastAsia.org will be soft-launched at the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Brunei, January 21-28,2010, as part of the inauguration of the Southeast Asia destination brand “Feel the Warmth.”

The ACE Project is funded by USAID and is part of the ADVANCE program for ASEAN.