The Key MRA Components

The Key ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement Components

The MRA – TP model consists of six mechanisms or components:

1.      a)  The National Tourism Professional Board (NTPB), 
2.      b)  The Tourism Professionals Certification Board (TPCB),
3.      c)   The Common ASEAN Tourism Curriculum (CATC),
4.      d)   The ASEAN Tourism Professionals Registration System (ATPRS),
5.      e)   The ASEAN Tourism Qualifications Equivalency Matrix (ATQEM), and
6.      f)   The ASEAN Tourism Professional Monitoring Committee (ATPMC).

Each component forms part of a connecting infrastructure in support of effective implementation of the MRA - TP system to become operational by 2015. Each part requires a development effort at either ASEAN (regional) level or Member State (national) level.

At national or Member State level two agencies are required – the National Tourism Professional Board and the Tourism Professionals Certification Board. The NTPB has the function of quality control of the education and training system – the Common ASEAN Tourism Curriculum that delivers the qualifications recognized in the MRA.

The Tourism Professionals Certification Board will apply national competency standards, assess and certify tourism professionals and also support the ASEAN Tourism Professionals Registration System. The ATPRS is a web-based facility designed to disseminate details about qualified tourist professionals in ASEAN Member States and provide a comparative understanding of the scope, content and equivalent value (or status) of a tourism qualification awarded in any one of the ASEAN Member States.

The MRA – TP is challenging because there are no agreed international tourism standards which can act as a basis for conformity assessment for the MRA - TP. As a result, it is essential to construct an equivalence matrix of tourism qualifications for the AMS – the ASEAN Tourism Qualifications Equivalency Matrix to be used as the basis for conformity assessment. This is an essential supporting mechanism for a robust, reliable and transparent Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Tourism Professionals.

The overall MRA – TP system will be under the oversight of the ASEAN Tourism Professional Monitoring Committee. Each of the six components will be explained in more detail in this Handbook.

Conclusions

The MRA on Tourism Professionals is an important driver in raising standards of tourism and improving qualifications of the tourism workforce in the ASEAN region. Member States need to carefully review their MRA status, implementation plans and readiness for the AEC in 2015.

It is hoped that this Handbook will contribute to an understanding of MRA – TP and aid National Training Organizations and others in planning and implementing the arrangement. The Handbook can be adapted by each AMS as required, and the soft copy downloaded from the ASEAN website. In addition, a MRA – TP Guidebook has been prepared specifically for tourism industry employers and tourism professionals. This is also available for download from the ASEAN website.

The ATMPC are willing to support and advise on the MRA process and help those NTOs with any challenges or needs. Regional and country workshops and seminars will continue to be held over the next period to inform, assist and train master trainers, assessors and other key staff involved in implementing the MRA on Tourism Professionals.