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More than 1,400 delegates descended on Manado, North Sulawesi on 10-15 January to participate in the 31st ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), which featured the ASEAN Tourism Conference (ATC), Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), 35th ASEAN National Tourism Organization (NTO) Meeting, and Ministerial Meeting.

The annual ATF is a cooperative regional effort aimed at promoting member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as one tourist destination.

The event involves all tourism industry sectors in the 10 ASEAN nations: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

ATF kicked off in earnest on 13 January with the ATC component under the theme “ASEAN Goes Green”, during which industry leaders shared the latest information and insights on the region’s ongoing efforts towards sustainable and eco-conscious tourism.

The three-day ATF 2012 TRAVEX also opened on 13 January at the newly constructed Golden Kawanua Exhibition Hall, and featured B2B sessions between some 1,000 exhibitors and 390 buyers from 51 countries – including four new participants from Bulgaria, Egypt, Kuwait and New Zealand – to negotiate contracts to attract more tourists to ASEAN’s destinations.

Host country Indonesia and Thailand formed the largest national contingents with 112 and 92 exhibition booths respectively. Corporate exhibitors participated with around 65 exhibition booths.

China, India, Russia, Japan, and South Korea also joined the forum, under the theme “Tourism for a Global Community of Nations”.

Asia Pacific accounted for 48 per cent of the buyers, while 37.6 per cent represented Europe.

More than 100 media representatives from 36 countries, including first-time participants from Bahrain and Indonesia, were on hand for TRAVEX. All 10 ASEAN NTOs presented media briefings.

This year’s ATF also introduced its new branding, “Southeast Asia – Feel the Warmth”, for the first time.

“Today, the branding is officially used for the first time,” said Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Elka Pangestu, Chair of ATF 2012.

TTG Asia’s show daily reported that the branding “is being plagued by disagreements over the inclusion of the ‘ASEAN’ word and funding.”

A four-year marketing plan was outlined at the event, and will be backed by a budget of USD160,000.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Deputy Governor Asia and South Pacific Sansern Ngaorungsi said the plan was to pool common products and activities.

Minister Pangestu said that preparations towards ASEAN as a single destination are showing significant development, though the “Free Visa” policy among member nations still needs to be addressed and a prompt solution is necessary. Cambodia and Myanmar have yet to confirm.

The minister added that the heads of ASEAN member governments had, in principle, agreed to common visas for non-ASEAN visitors and free visas for the residents of ASEAN nations.

Delegates also attended a hosted dinner by Laos, where ATF 2013 will be held next year.

Sources: ASIA Travel Tips, Indonesia.travel, Jakarta Post, Travel Mole, TTG Asia, TTR Weekly

For details go to:

http://mekongtourism.org/website/2012/01/atf-2012-boasts-a-full-house/

Source : http://www.enchantingmyanmar.com