Its chief commercial officer, Collin Currie, said tourism was a major economic contributor and a “lifeline” for many countries.

“For Asean as a whole, the tourism sector accounts for 13% of the grouping’s aggregate gross domestic product (GDP) and 6% of total employment.

“Revival of the tourism sector is thus pivotal to support the livelihood of the people,” he said in a statement today.

Currie said that with the high percentage of the fully vaccinated in Asean countries, the strict requirements stifling air travel should be reviewed.

He said this included the numerous testing requirements, both pre-departure and on arrival, additional paperwork and costly Covid-19 travel insurance.

AirAsia Aviation Ltd group CEO Bo Lingam voiced similar sentiments, saying some of AirAsia’s airfares cost less than the Covid-19 tests required by many countries in Asia.

He said this made the overall cost of air travel burdensome for most ordinary travellers.

While these requirements were important to maintain the safety of travellers, they should not burden them, he said.

“Another key issue faced by air travellers is the additional paperwork and various unstandardised entry applications required by different countries.

“These should be urgently reviewed as the current processes tend to be duplicative and confusing for travellers,” he said.

Lingam lauded Singapore, Cambodia, Australia and India for removing the Covid-19 travel insurance requirement imposed by many countries.

“We are also very pleased that countries like Cambodia and India have completely removed testing requirements and reduced paperwork for entry applications.

“Travellers to Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia and the Philippines are only required to undertake one Covid-19 test, either pre-departure or on arrival.

“Malaysia is perhaps the only country in Asean that still requires two tests, both pre-departure and on arrival.

“We earnestly hope the government will urgently reconsider this rule,” he said.