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ASEAN Tourism Forum 2005: Opportunities & Challenges
The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2005 slated Jan. 21-29, 2005 in Langkawi, Malaysia will draw together the region`s tourism ministers and senior officials as well as delegates from all over to infuse dynamism in global tourism as another agenda and a resolution-filled year is ushered in.
As the biggest annual tourism summit in the region, the ATF 2005 will push through after the organizers have ensured that "the coast is clear" to host the event after a killer tsunami - the most traumatic natural disaster on the last week of December - swept through 11 nations, eight of which are within the AsiaPacific region.
Badly hit were Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Sri-Lanka and Maldives, including Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar.
Amid the tug-of-war backdrop between heightened opportunities and extreme challenges, the 24th ATF is expected to deal squarely with the snags and fully tap prospects that wait on its member countries` doorstep - to unite and intensify their respective efforts in beefing up the regional tourism industry.
The ten members of the Association of South East Asian (ASEAN) countries is composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
High on the list are contingency plans and systematic approach to especially brace member nations on how to deal with immense challenges such as natural disasters in particular, and help them bounce back and join the industry`s mainstream flow as soon as possible.
Malaysia`s Minister of Tourism Datuk Dr. Leo Michael Toyad said, "The ATF, as ASEAN`s flagship tourism event that has gained recognition as a platform for the gathering of tourism ministers and officials, will address current issues and set new policies wherein member nations can take collaborative measures to accelerate the growth and development of the ASEAN travel and tourism industry."
Datuk Toyad said "ASEAN has weathered global uncertainties and crises over the past few years - 9/11, SARS, terrorism and natural calamities - and lately there are indications of a rebound in tourist arrivals in the region. ATF 2005 will serve as an opportune occasion for the member nations to help each other and promote ASEAN as a whole."
Inspired by the event`s theme "Shifting Paradigm - Prospering the Region," Dato Anwar bin Hj Abdul Rahman, general manager of the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), said, "We intend to further develop our tourism industry in tandem with the visions of ATF 2005."
"Faced by today`s many challenges and ever-changing economic, political and social landscapes, the industry needs to ‘think out of the box` and adopt a more versatile and above all a practical approach to promote and regulate itself," Abdul Rahman said.
Aside from setting priorities among a host of concerns confronting the ASEAN countries, ATF 2005 will hold several dialogues for the ASEAN ministers and heads of various national tourism organizations (NTOs). ASEAN and the top representatives of China, Japan, and Korea - the region`s most prolific markets – will be brought together.
One of ATF`s very engaging and crowd-drawing events is the TRAVEX or ASEAN Travel Exchange to be held in Mahsuri International Exhibition Center (MIEC), Malaysia`s biggest showcase center located at Padang Matsirat, near the Langkawi International Airport.
MIEC has a massive 71,400-sq. m. land area that can accommodate more than 3,000 guests at one time. The very modern structure has up-to-date designed exhibition halls, function rooms, lounge rooms, VIP suites, a gallery and view deck. A buyers and sellers meet has been arranged to encourage networking and trade exchange.
The trade-only mart TRAVEX offers ASEAN tourism products and services where buyers will be able to gain information and view current regional tourism trends. It will also help the member nations to further enhance or develop new products and services by way of creative showcases.
A complimentary tour around the island will be hosted for ministers and delegates. Some of the attractions include Atma Alam Batik Art Village, the prominent Eagle Square landmark, a half-day local lifestyle tour to Kampung Tok Senik, the Langkawi Underwater World, the Zone Shopping Paradise, Galeria Perdana, a mangrove tour and visit to Kelawar and Cerita caves.
For two to three days each, pre- and post-conference heritage, history, culture, wilderness and adventure tours have been arranged to show off Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Taman Negara, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Selangor, Malacca and Pangkor.
Among the hotels and resorts to choose from for accommodation are Tanjung Rhu Resort, Andaman Langkawi, Datai Langkawi, Casa del Mar, Pelangi Beach Resort, Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort, Sheraton Perdana, Berjaya Langkawi Beach & Spa Resort, Langkawi Lagoon Resort, Holiday Villa Langkawi, Tanjung Sanctuary Langkawi, Awana Porto Malai Langkawi, Helang Hotel, Langkasuka Beach Resort, Langkawi Village Resort, Mutiara Burau Bay Beach Resort, The City Bayview Hotel Langkawi, Federal Villa and Kampung Tok Senik Resort Langkawi.
To highlight ASEAN destinations, the following tour packages are also offered: Singapore`s three days cosmopolitan tour, Manila`s three days metropolis tour, Phuket`s four days in alluring paradise, Lake Toba/Brastagi`s four days of nature`s wonders, Brunei`s four days glittering sights, Cambodia`s four days wealth of ancient treasures, Vietnam`s four days cityscape tour, and Myanmar`s four days crossroads of ancient civilizations tour.
Manila 11/1/2005
