Vietnam will host the most important annual event on ASEAN tourism cooperation, the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2019, in Ha Long City, the northeastern province of Quang Ninh on January 16-18, 2019, said the head of the International Cooperation Department under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Tran Phu Cuong.

ATF offers Vietnam an opportunity to raise its role and position in regional tourism cooperation, and promote the image of its land and people particularly Quang Ninh province to international friends.

The forum includes the 23rd ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting, the 23rd meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers Plus Three, the first ASEAN-China Tourism Ministers Meeting, the ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers Meeting, the 49th meeting of ASEAN National Tourism Organisations (NTOs), the 34th meeting of ASEAN National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) Plus Three, the first meeting of NTOs-China, the meeting of the ASEAN-India Tourism Working Group and the ASEAN-Russia Federation Tourism Consultation.

The ATF Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) coincided with the ATF, will be a place for tourism product suppliers, international buyers, commercial visitors and locals to meet and carry out transactions. It is expected to draw around 1,500-2,000 international delegates, 400 international buyers and 150 domestic and foreign reporters, providing a good chance for Vietnam to introduce tourism products and destinations.

All preparations for the event are being geared up, said the head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Nguyen Van Tuan, adding that the event helps the country promote tourism and lure more visitors from ASEAN’s neighbors.

VOV