During the ATF ASEAN Tourism Forum, held in Hanoi, Vietnam, the tourism ministers of the ASEAN countries were pleased to note the progress of joint ASEAN tourism promotion, especially regarding the activities of the ASEAN Tourism Promotional Chapter (APCT) in Sydney, Seoul and Shanghai in 2008, producing promotional material and participating in international tourism events in their respective source markets.
They expressed appreciation to the Republic of Korea for the establishment of the ASEAN-Korea Centre in Seoul to further stimulate tourism between ASEAN Member States and the Republic of Korea, amongst other things.
The ministers welcomed the outcome of the ASEAN-India Workshop on the Development of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tourism 2008 in Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay.
They applauded the success of the third ASEAN Tourism Investment Forum (ATIF) in Manila, July 2008, and agreed to the recommendation by the ASEAN NTOs to continue organizing this event in 2010 in order to promote the establishment of the ASEAN Tourism Investment Corridor development.
They were also pleased with the outcome of the Train-the-Trainer in Crisis Communications workshop held in June 2008 in Bangkok and encouraged all ASEAN member states to conduct similar training at the national level to enhance awareness about the importance of intra-ASEAN communication & ACCT’s role in relaying information to the region in times of crises.
The ministers were also glad to see that the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), taking place these days in Hanoi, is being attended by more than 466 foreign tourism companies from all over the world as buyers and more than 590 sellers and exhibitors from Asia.
They are happy with CNN International as the “Official International Cable and Satellite Media Partner”.
The ATF 2010 will take place in Bandar Seri Begawan (Sultanate of Brunei) from January 21 to 28, 2010, under the theme “ASEAN, The Heart of Green; 10 Destinations, One Conservation Vision”, with ATF 2011 taking place in Cambodia.
The meeting was attended by all ASEAN member states:
From Brunei: H.E. Pehin Dato Yahya, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources
Cambodia: H.E. Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism
Indonesia: H.E. Mr. Jero Wacik, Minister of Culture and Tourism
Lao PDR: H.E. Mr. Somphong Mongkhonvilay, Chairman of the National Tourism Administration
Malaysia: H.E. Dato’Sri Azalina Dato’Othman Said, Minister of Tourism
Myanmar: H.E. Brig.Gen. Aye Myint Kyu, Deputy Minister of Hotels and Tourism
Philippines: H.E. Oscar P. Palabyab, Undersecretary of Tourism
Singapore: H.E. Mr. S. Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry
Thailand: H.E. Mr. Chumpol Silapa-archa, Minister of Tourism and Sports
Vietnam: H.E. :Mr. Tran Chien Thang, Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
And the Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan
Joachim Fischer, currently in Hanoi, Vietnam
