ASEAN MUTUAL RECOGNITION ARRANGEMENT ON TOURISM ...

5. The Mechanisms Supporting MRA for Tourism ProfessionalsTopics5.1 Introduction5.2 The Key MRA Components5.3 Tourism Professional Certification Boards5.4 ASEAN Tourism Professional Monitoring Committee5.5 ASEAN Tourism Professionals Registration System5.7 Monitoring and Reporting5.8 Challenges to MRA SustainabilityKey terms found in this chapter• ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (Article V)• National Tourism Professional Board (NTPB)• Tourism Professionals Certification Board (TPCB)• ASEAN Tourism Professionals Registration System (ATPRS)5.1 IntroductionSince the signing of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (Article V) on 15December 1995 in Bangkok, Thailand there has been steady progress towardsrealisation of a full MRA for Tourism Professionals by all Member States forimplementation in 2015. The key statement confirms, “Each Member State mayrecognise the education or experience obtained, requirements met, or licenses orcertifications granted in another Member State, for the purpose of licensing orcertification of service suppliers. Such recognition may be based upon anagreement or arrangement with the Member State concerned or may be accordedautonomously.”In order to function effectively, the MRA - TP will require an infrastructureoperating at both the ASEAN and Member State levels. The ASEAN FrameworkAgreement on MRAs (1998) provides guidance for these mechanisms, recognisingalso the experience and expertise available through the development of otherMRAs internationally. This chapter of the Handbook will explain the keymechanisms and components required for effective implementation of the MRA –TP.5.2 The Key MRA ComponentsThe MRA – TP model consists of six mechanisms or components:a) The National Tourism Professional Board (NTPB),b) The Tourism Professionals Certification Board (TPCB),c) The Common ASEAN Tourism Curriculum (CATC),P a g e | 42