Viet Nam will host the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in 2019, according to the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

Organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the forum is expected to take place in either Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang, and it will welcome around 1,500 participants.

In 2009, Viet Nam hosted the 28^th ATF in the country’s capital from January 5 to 12, drawing a record high number of 2,064 delegates, comprised of ministers, senior officials, businesses and media workers from ASEAN countries, the VNAT said on its website.

The event includes a wide range of activities including dialogues between ASEAN Tourism Ministers, the ATF Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), travel seminars, and exhibitions.

It will be a chance for Viet Nam to promote the country’s image, people, and tourism, as well as enable local companies to look for opportunities to cooperate and attract investment from international businesses.

Russian tourists arrive at Phu Quoc International Airport in 2015 (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

The ASEAN Tourism Forum is a cooperative regional effort to promote the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as a preferred tourist destination.

The annual event involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10 member nations of ASEAN: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Each year, hosting duties are rotated among the member countries.

ATF 2016, which was held in the Philippines from January 18 to 25, marked the 35^th anniversary of the event since its inception in Malaysia in 1981.

(Source: Tuoitrenews)