The 35th ASEAN travel forum (Source :atf2016)Kula Lumpur (VNA) – The 35th ASEAN Travel Forum (ATF 2016) will be held from January 18 to 22 in the Philippines, aiming to boost efforts to turn Southeast Asia into a global tourist destination, according to the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT).
DOT Deputy Minister Benito Bengzon Jr said that the highlight of the ATF 2016, themed “One Community for Sustainability”, is the ratification of an ASEAN tourism strategic plan for 2016-2020.
The plan aims to make the region a quality tourist destination providing diverse and distinct experiences for tourists by 2020 by developing a competitive, sustainable and comprehensive regional tourism.
During the event, the DOT will introduce the country’s four major tourism hubs of Palawan, Cebu, Davao and Bohol.
Travel suppliers from the ten ASEAN member states will showcase their products at over 500 booths as part of the forum.
Some 1,600 international delegates including ministerial officials, exhibitors, buyers, media and other travel industry professionals from about 50 countries are expected to participate the week-long event.
First launched in 1981 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ATF is the biggest annual and alternated event under the ASEAN tourism cooperation umbrella with a view to developing ASEAN into a regional tourism destination, contributing to bolstering exchanges and friendship cooperation as well as consolidating regional peace and prosperity.-VNA
