ASEAN Tourism Forum 2008 (ATF 2008) @ Bangkok, Thailand
18 – 26 January 2008
Bangkok, Thailand

ASEAN Tourism Forum 2008 (ATF 2008)

Over 1,000 delegates are expected to attend the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2008 (ATF 2008) to be held in Bangkok between 18-26 January 2008 - the fifth time in its history.

The ATF is the annual summit of the public and private sectors of the ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Lao PDR. and Cambodia), considered to be one of the fastest growing tourism regions in the world.

The ten countries have a combined population of about 567.5 million, a total area of 4.5 million square kilometres, a combined gross domestic product of over US$1 trillion, and a total foreign trade of over US$ 1.4 trillion.

ASEAN attracted an estimated 56 million visitors in 2006, posting a healthy eight per cent growth over 2005 with countries like Cambodia, Lao PDR and Thailand posting double-digit growth. Intra-ASEAN travel accounted for 49% of total visitor arrivals.

The first part of the ATF is devoted to the public sector meetings among ASEAN national tourism organisations as well as discussions with the NTO's of China, India, Russia, Japan, and Korea, all countries with which the ASEAN region is enjoying flourishing travel and tourism contacts.

The second part is the Travex, the trade show that brings together buyers and sellers for the doing-business sessions. This will be held at Impact Challenger 2, Muang Thong Thani, from 21-26 January, 2008. On 23 January, the ASEAN Tourism Conference will be held at the same venue.

ATF 2008 is open to all suppliers of ASEAN tourism products and services as well as buyers from around the world and such other tourism-related establishments promoting tourist traffic to, among, and within the ASEAN region. ATF Buyers include travel wholesalers, retailers, agents, convention and incentive organizers, and other establishments dealing in outbound.

As of 3 December, 2007, the number of seller companies totaled 444 with the largest component from Thailand followed by Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The number of buyers totalled 581 from 56 countries - the top ten being Singapore (45), UK (42), Germany (42), Thailand (38), USA (37), India (30), Indonesia (29), Malaysia (29), Australia (28), Vietnam (22), Netherlands (17) and Russia/CIS (16).

Dr. Suvit Yodmani, Minister of Tourism and Sports said, "The ASEAN tourism industry continues to evolve, and we can all take pride in the ongoing contributions made by the industry in bringing the 10 member nations closer together, thereby stimulating economic growth, environmental conservation and the sharing of multi-facetted cultural heritage.

"We look upon travel and tourism as major contributors towards the building of understanding and friendship among peoples of ASEAN and the world. Through such events as the ATF a holistic approach has been adopted, demonstrating that the tourism industry is concerned not only with material gain, but also the betterment of society as a whole."

According to TAT Governor Mrs Phornsiri Manoharn, "This year's ATF is very significant because ASEAN has just commemorated the 40th anniversary of its establishment.

"Also, in November 2007, the ASEAN leaders signed a new charter reiterating their commitment to community-building in ASEAN and uniting in making the organisation more people-oriented.

"In the tourism sector, we will be looking for ways to implement this vision. We look forward to welcoming our friends and supporters from throughout the ASEAN region and beyond at the ATF 2008," she said.

Several complimentary pre- and post-tours are being organised by TAT together with Thai Airways International and the private sector to take buyers and the media to various ASEAN destinations in line with the theme "Synergy of ASEAN Towards Dynamic Unity in Diversity."

For more details and on-line registration, please log on to: http://www.atf2008thailand.com

Photos Courtesy of Tourism Authority of Thailand. All Rights Reserved.