Historic ATF opens in Myanmar

24 Jan 2015  2037 | World Travel News

SINGAPORE  The 34th edition of ASEAN Tourism Forum kicked off earlier today at the Myanmar International Convention Centre in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, with the 41st Meeting of the ASEAN National Tourism Organisations.
Some 300 delegates including tourism ministers and NTO officials joined the opening event of the week-long ATF which is being held in Myanmar for the first time.
Over the next few days, some 2,000 delegates from over 50 countries will gather in Nay Pyi Taw for ATF 2015.
Myanmar Ministry of Hotels and Tourism Union Minister of Tourism, U Htay Aung, said: “We would like to extend a warm welcome to all ATF 2015 delegates, sellers, buyers, media and trade visitors to Myanmar. I hope the meetings, discussions and conversations we will have over the next few days will be fruitful, and that at the same time, you will have the opportunity to experience for yourself Myanmar’s rich culture and biodiversity, as well as our people’s charm and hospitality.”
Inside no.10From 22 to 26 January, the ASEAN tourism ministers and NTOs, together with their counterparts from countries such as China, India, Japan, Korea (Republic of Korea) and Russia will convene in a series of meetings to discuss issues concerning tourism in the region, as part of the official ATF 2015 programme.
Themed ‘ASEAN – Tourism Towards Peace, Prosperity and Partnership’, ATF 2015 will be officially opened on 26 January at an opening ceremony graced by H.E. U Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Mr Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the UNWTO. At the opening ceremony, Myanmar will be formally presented the award for ‘Best in Travel – AEC Country’ 2014 by Lonely Planet Traveller. Also part of the programme are the presentation of the ASEANTA (ASEAN Tourism Association) Awards for Excellence and cultural performances.
range of topics including Mutual Recognition Agreement on Tourism Professionals (MRA-TP), ASEAN Tourism Standards, ASEAN Open Skies Policy and Responsible Tourism Planning and Development in Myanmar.
TRAVEX, the two-day travel exhibition component of ATF, has attracted strong participation, with host country Myanmar participating with its largest ever contingent.
In total, some 1000 sellers comprising ASEAN hoteliers, tour operators and travel agencies, national tourism boards, airline professionals, restaurateurs, attraction and theme park owners, and companies from other sectors of the industry have snapped up 527 booths at TRAVEX on 28 and 29 January to showcase their destinations, products and services.
They will meet with some 300 buyers from over 40 countries at pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments to explore, negotiate and ink new deals. Three hundred local and foreign trade visitors are also expected to attend TRAVEX.
ATF 2015 will close on 29 January with a ceremony for handing over of the ATF flag to next year’s host, Philippines.
ATF 2015 is hosted by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, organised by Myanmar Tourism Federation and managed by MP Singapore and Myanmar Ventures Group.

sourced:ttrweekly.com 

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