ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2011 Officially Opened

Focus on Travel News, represented by Ozgur Tore is attending the 30th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2011 which officially opened Tuesday night (Jan. 18) at the Diamond Island Convention & Exhibition Center. Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia, the Opening Ceremony took place with the participation of Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia; Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, and other ministers representing ASEAN countries.

The ceremony, which started with speeches, continues with musical dance shows featuring some 500 local and foreign performers in traditional and contemporary performances. Thousands attended the opening ceremony where delegates enjoyed delicious local food prepared by NAGAWORLD; the Best Business, Leisure & Entertainment Hotel in Indochina. Delegates also enjoyed 30 minutes fireworks display.

Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh is hosting the largest ever ATF with over 1,600 delegates which includes 440 buyers and 140 international media. ATF TRAVEX is the longest-running annual ASEAN leisure travel trade event, showcasing the largest contingent of ASEAN sellers.

Organized during ATF, this annual event involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10 member nations: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. This year ATF TRAVEX is taking place 19 to 21 January 2011.Cambodia welcomed 1.6 million visitors in the first 8 months of 2010, 14.6% increase compare to same period of 2009. The Ministry of Tourism aims an 11% increase in arrivals this year.

Source = ftnnews