The Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), a regional partnership formed in the early 1990s, is stepping up efforts to transform the way Southeast Asia collaborates on tourism. Bringing together northern Malaysia, southern Thailand, and Indonesia’s Sumatra, the initiative is designed to harness shared cultural, natural, and economic assets to attract more international visitors.
At the heart of this push is the “Visit Years 2023–2025” campaign, officially launched during the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo. The joint program aims to draw 60 million tourists and generate around USD 75 billion in revenue across the three countries. By presenting the subregion as a single, interconnected destination, the IMT-GT hopes to stand out in the highly competitive global tourism market.
The strategy goes beyond marketing. Plans include improving cross-border connectivity through better roads, ferry routes, and air links; encouraging joint cultural festivals and eco-tourism projects; and investing in digital platforms that simplify travel planning. Partnerships with local businesses and the private sector are also being encouraged to make tourism growth more inclusive and sustainable.
Looking further ahead, the IMT-GT’s Vision 2036 sets ambitious targets: significantly raising annual arrivals, reducing economic gaps between regions, and promoting green urban development to ensure that growth aligns with sustainability goals.
For travelers, the outcome could be transformative—easier border crossings, richer cultural exchanges, and seamless journeys across three countries that blend natural wonders, vibrant heritage, and modern infrastructure. For the region, it marks a new era of cooperation, using tourism as both an economic driver and a tool for stronger regional ties.
