The 2009 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) will take place in Hanoi from January 5-12, 2009 with the participation of nearly 1,500 delegates, including tourism ministers and heads of tourism organisations from within and outside the region.
The information was released at a press briefing in Hanoi on October 24 by the Vietnam National Tourism Administration.
A number of meetings will be held during the forum, including meetings of ASEAN Tourism Ministsers and ASEAN plus Tourism Ministers, a meeting of ASEAN National Tourism Organisations (NTOs), and meetings of ASEAN NTOs + 3 (China, Japan and the Republic of Korea), and ASEAN NTOs + 1 (India, Russia, Australia and New Zealand).
Delegates will review the implementation of cooperation programmes and discuss ways to promote tourism cooperation among ASEAN member countries and between ASEAN and its dialogue partners
An ASEAN Travel Expo will also be held to create a chance for service providers, tour sellers and operators to seek business opportunities and attract tourists from potential markets.
The regional tourism forum was held in Malaysia for the first time in 1981. Since then it has been held annually in ASEAN member countries on the rotary basis.