30th Year of ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) TRAVEX Records Strong Participation

ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2011 will welcome 1,600 heads of National Tourist Organisations (NTOs), Tourism Ministers, Travel Suppliers from across ASEAN, International Buyers, Media and other tourism professionals from around the world.

Occupying an exhibition area of 8,430 sqm, the ATF TRAVEX .  A 3-day travel trade-only exhibition and business meetings platform – will feature 518 booths from 434 exhibiting companies from the 10 ASEAN countries. 442 international buyers are attending, ready to do business and source at this longest-running annual ASEAN leisure travel trade event, showcasing the largest contingent of ASEAN sellers.

International buyers with a keen interest to buy ASEAN destinations, products and services enjoy doing so at ATF TRAVEX as the event presents the widest and most comprehensive selection of ASEAN travel choices – offered by small to large suppliers.

ATF 2011 also continues to be a widely publicised event by both trade and consumer media, with 148 media delegates from across 32 countries in attendance. Over the next few days, Media delegates will receive first-hand information on the latest updates and developments taking place across all 10 ASEAN destinations through dedicated Media Briefings.

Business and formal meetings are not the only highlight of the ATF TRAVEX sessions. Exciting pre-event networking opportunities are open to all buyers and hosted media delegates, through city tours of Phnom Penh, starting today, 17 January. These tours are a great way to spend time with fellow delegates while sampling the wonders of the city.

Tour highlights include The Royal Palace, National Museum of Cambodia, Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison), Toul Tum Poung Market, Phsar Thmey (Central Market) and Wat Phnom Daun Penh. Equally popular is the Friendly Golf Game which will happen tomorrow, 18 January.

Delegates will continue to be treated to a wide range of networking and entertainment activities over the next few days, beginning with the ATF 2011 Opening Ceremony tomorrow, 18 January. Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia, the Opening Ceremony will be an extravaganza featuring some 500 local and foreign performers in traditional and contemporary performances. State of the art sound effects and pyrotechnics will take the performances to another level. Delegates can also enjoy the 30 minutes fireworks display.

In addition, 6 hosted luncheons and dinners by Cambodia Angkor Air, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, Bangkok Airways, Tourism Malaysia and Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia offer delegates more Wine and Dine opportunities and cultural experiences. 2 late night functions at Raffles Hotel Le Royal and Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra are also part of the ATF TRAVEX programme line-up on 19 and 20 January respectively.

ASEAN Tourism Conference (ATC) – the educational front of ATF, will take place on 19 January 2011. This year, speakers in the fields of Ecotourism and Sustainable tourism will equip and inspire ATF delegates with knowledge and responsibility to foster sustainable ASEAN destinations.

ASEAN Tourism Forum 2011 is held from 15 to 21 January 2011 at Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. ATF TRAVEX 2011 dates are from 19 to 21 January at the same venue. Visit www.atfcambodia.com for more information on ATF 2011.

Source = ftnnews