Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Thailand is all geared up to conduct the 37th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2018 between 22nd and 26th January, 2018 at the Chiang Mai Exhibition and Convention Centre (CMECC) under the theme ‘ASEAN-Sustainable Connectivity, Boundless Prosperity’.
This event represents the largest travel trade event of the ASEAN region.
It is rotated annually among the 10 ASEAN nations. Thailand is hosting the event for the sixth time.
But then has relocated it for the first time to Chiang Mai as part of the policy to promote secondary destinations, create more jobs in the rural areas, ensure improved distribution of tourism earnings and also highlight Thailand’s connections with the Greater Mekong Sub-region countries.
The Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn said that they were proud to mark the first ATF after commemorating the 50th anniversary of ASEAN in the year 2017.
ATF is the only opportunity for both the public and private sectors of the ASEAN travel and tourism sector to get together and discuss trends confronting the ASEAN tourism industry.
The week-long event includes meetings of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers and national tourism organizations and private sector groupings representing ASEAN hotels, tour operators, travel agents, restaurants, bilateral meetings with dialogue partners like India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and airlines.
This year, a ministerial meeting with China would also be held for the first time.
Individual NTOs are also scheduled to offer detailed media briefings, alongside the travel trade show known as ‘Travex’.
This year additional briefings are also scheduled by King Power and the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office.
Tags: 37th ASEAN Tourism Forum, Chiang Mai Exhibition and Convention Centre, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Yuthasak Supasorn
