Hanoi, Viet Nam, 9 January 2009

ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2009 kicked off today in Ha Noi with Deputy Prime Minister of Viet Nam Nguyen Thien Nhan opening the Forum.

The ATF was preceded by the 12th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers who declared 2009 and 2010 the Youth Travellers’ Year within ASEAN. The Ministers, anticipating the impact of the global economic crisis, agreed to target intra-ASEAN travel among youths as a key segment of a tactical campaign to promote ASEAN tourism. The Ministers tasked their Senior Officials to prepare the detailed plan of the campaign before the 14th ASEAN Summit.

The Ministers also met their counterparts from China, Japan and Republic of Korea at the 8th Meeting of ASEAN Plus 3 Tourism Ministers. At this gathering, the Ministers agreed to further develop and enhance tourism through the adoption of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals and the preparation of the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2011-2015.

Posted on 9 January 2009