HẠ LONG — The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2019 themed ‘ASEAN-The Power of One’, the most important annual event in ASEAN tourism co-operation, began yesterday evening in the coastal city of Hạ Long in northern Quảng Ninh province.
Welcoming delegates to the 38th ATF, Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam said that for Việt Nam, the event was the most important event for the tourism industry that not only helps plan policies, but also highlights the efforts of Việt Nam and other member states to build a prosperous ASEAN community, being a reliable and prestigious partner.
“The forum lays a foundation for the objective by 2050 in which ASEAN will become a quality tourism destination offering a unique, diverse ASEAN experience and will be committed to responsible, inclusive and balanced tourism development, so as to contribute significantly to the socio-economic wellbeing of ASEAN people,” Đam said.
According to Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện, the forum will focus on six topics including positioning ASEAN as a single destination for tourists, raising the awareness of ASEAN as a competitive tourist destination and strengthening co-operation between various economic sectors of ASEAN tourism.
The forum, which is set to witness the participation of about 2,000 delegates from ASEAN and its partners, will continue today and tomorrow with the ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting, ASEAN+3 Tourism Ministers Meeting, ASEAN-India Ministers Meeting and ATF Travel Exchange (TRAVEX).
During the event, the ASEAN Tourism Awards will also be announced.
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