THE first ASEAN Crisis Communications Manual was drafted by the ASEAN Marketing Task Force led by Singapore in 2006, following the signing of the ASEAN Integration Protocol for Tourism and the decision made during the 21st Meeting of the ASEAN NTOs held on 22 to 23 January 2005 in Langkawi, Malaysia.

The implementation of the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP 2011-2015) and the formation of the ASEAN Tourism Marketing and Communications Working Group (ATMCWG), replacing the earlier ASEAN Marketing Task Force, gave focus to crisis management and communication, especially vital due to the frequent incidence of crises in ASEAN member states.