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ATF Launches Promotional Tour
The Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2005, which will be held from January 21 to 29, next year, has begun its promotional tour to each Asean member country.
As a jump-off point, a team of ATF 2005 officials comprising of Mr Abdul Rahman Hj Shaari, Director of Tourism Malaysia; Mr Argus Salim, President of ASEANTA; Mr Shahrudin Hj Itam, Deputy General Manager Langkawi Tourism Action Council; Mr Araldas Arulanda, Vice President of Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA); and, Mr Yuzer Yussof of Malaysia Airlines yesterday. The team held a promotional presentation session at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.
Present were government officials, Malaysian High Commission's officials, Royal Brunei Airlines representatives, and travel agent representatives. The promotional tour was to invite participation in the ATF 2005, which will be hosted by Malaysia, in one of its major tourist destinations, Langkawi.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Mr Argus Salim followed by a foreword from Mr Sheikh Jamaluddin bin Sheikh Mohamad, Director General at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources. In his speech, Mr Abdul Rahman Hj Shaari said that after 24 years since its inception in 1981, the ATF continues to provide a useful platform for tourism industry professionals from the public and private sector of Asean member nations to work together and map out new strategies to market Asean to the world. He added that the main highlight of the ATF 2005 is the Asean Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) which is scheduled from January 26 to 28.
The event will allow Asean sellers of tourism products and services to reestablish contacts and develop smart partnerships with the large number of buyers from around the world who are present. The other components of ATF consist of official meetings among regional travel trade associations and meetings between officials of Asean NTOs. This will be followed by the Asean Tourism Ministers + 3 Meeting with dialogue partners China, Japan and Korea in addition to the Asean Tourism Ministers' Meeting and an Asean Tourism Conference (ATC), which will be attended by travel industry professionals who will address current issues on tourism.
He spoke on the fee and charges of the TRAVEX, accommodation and gave an illustration of the tentative exhibition floor plan. Mr Abdul Rahman highlighted the complimentary tours of Langkawi and preand post-conference tours encompassing each of the Asean member countries. He ended by saying that the conclusion of the ATF 2005 will see the handing over to the following year's host, Myanmar. A question and answer session was also held. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin.
Bandar Seri Begawan 25/08/2004
