The 2019 ASEAN Tourism Forum ( 2019 ATF ), themed “ASEAN - The Power of One”, will take place in Ha Long city, Quang Ninh from January 14-18, 2019. This is an important event and a great chance to promote and define tourism brand of Vietnam in general and Quang Ninh in particular.
Major activities during the forum will include the ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meeting and their meeting with counterparts from China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and India; the meeting of leaders of the ASEAN national tourism organizations; meetings of the ASEAN-India and ASEAN- Russia tourism working groups; the ASEAN Tourism Forum on Travel Exchange (Travex); the ASEAN Tourism Research Association Conference; and other sideline events.
The ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meeting and their meeting with counterparts will focus on measures to enhance competitiveness, standardise and develop human resources for tourism, and promote sustainable tourism.
The ASEAN Tourism Forum on Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), the annual specialised tourism fair, is expected to allure around 1,500 travel agents, delegates who pay much concerns with tourism sector. As planned, there will be 450 standard goods booths to be dispayed at the forum, which will advertise most of the unique tourism products of both Vietnam and ASEAN countries. It is expected to provide opportunities for local tourism firms and their partners from key markets to boost ties and promote their products, and attract investments.
The host Vietnam will partner with the ASEAN Secretariat to present the ASEAN Tourism Awards with four categories, including the third ASEAN homestay awards, the first ASEAN toilet awards, the first spa services awards, and the second community-based tourism awards. It will be held on Jan. 18, 2019, followed by the closing ceremony of the 2019 ATF on the same day.
These important events aim to exchange information and cooperation orientation, raise the effectiveness of the tourism cooperation within the region and ensure the sustainable development of ASEAN tourism.
This is the second time, Vietnam hosts ATF - a good chance for Vietnam to improve its role and stature in regional tourism cooperation and introduce the country’s natural beauty and people to international friends.
The hosting of ATF in 2019 creates a golden opportunity for Vietnam in general and Quang Ninh in particular to promote tourism. The province, therefore, has actively collaborated with other relevant ministries and sectors to well prepare for the event. The People’s Committee of Quang Ninh has directed relevant departments and localities provincewide to carry out all their tasks as assigned, particularly paying much attention to improve infrastructure, ensure security and safety, environmental sanitation, fire prevention and fighting, food safety for tourists during the event. To date, all preparations for the event are being geared up.
Addressing the latest meeting, the head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Nguyen Van Tuan said that, the AFT is the most important alternately annual event. The hosting of the 2019 AFT will help Quang Ninh to advertise its tourism potential and strengths to ASEAN countries. It is a good opportunity for Quang Ninh to confirm its position as an icon of tVietnam tourism.
Article by Thu Nguyen
