ETW Staff – Mumbai
Host city Manila – the country’s capital of fun and gateway to the rest of the Philippines – is all set to welcome some 1,600 international delegates Host city Manila – the country’s capital of fun and gateway to the rest of the Philippines – is all set to welcome some 1,600 international delegates
In January 2016, the ASEAN Travel Forum (ATF) returns to the Philippines for the 35th installment of the event. The theme of ATF 2016 is ‘One Community for Sustainability’. ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) brands its 10-member nations as one regional destination in tourism. Manila will welcome international delegates including ministerial officials, exhibitors, buyers, media and other travel industry professionals from some 50 countries for the week-long event.
Manila’s Entertainment City will be home to key ATF activities including the three-day TRAVEX travel trade mart from January 20-22, 2016. This gaming and entertainment district is one of Manila’s latest attractions, and features the capital’s premier SMX Convention Center where the main events of ATF will be held. The Manila Eye, a gigantic ferris wheel observatory is also part of the district’s iconic landscape.
Ramon R Jimenez Jr, tourism secretary, the Philippines, said, “The Department of Tourism (DOT) is honoured and proud of the Philippines’ hosting of ATF 2016. To all the delegates, we welcome you to our home, the Philippines. We hope that beyond the conference walls of this meeting, you experience our country in different ways – from our diverse natural wonders to our rich cultural heritage and the warmth of the Filipino people. And while this forum will allow for the exchange of ideas for the progress of our economies, we also hope that these meetings will build stronger friendships between our nations.’’
TTG Events, secretariat of ATF 2016’s TRAVEX event, announced that participation interest across the board has been encouraging. A total of 400 buyers will be fully hosted by the event. In addition, more than 500 booths from travel suppliers across Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, are forecasted to fill the expansive hall of the SMX Convention Center.