ATF 2015 secures sponsors, sees 'overwhelming' demand for hosted buyers

Preparations for the 34^th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) next year in Naypyidaw, Myanmar are progressing well, with some 1,500 participants from 59 countries, 350 exhibition booths and 550 applications for the hosted buyers programme expected.

Several sponsors have also been secured. They include local companies such as CB Bank, Kanbawza Group, Max Myanmar Group of Companies, Htoo Group of Companies and Golden Myanmar Airlines, as well as foreign entities such as PICO Group, Accor, CNN and TTG Asia Media. These details emerged during this afternoon’s official press conference and Sponsors Signing Ceremony at Hotel Royal Ace.

U Htay Aung, union minister of hotels and tourism, said: “I am very much looking forward to ATF 2015. We are making necessary preparations in collaboration with Myanmar Tourism Federation, MP International and Myanmar Ventures Group. Everyone is making an effort to ensure ATF 2015’s success.”

He added that the 1,500 expected participants will include tourism ministers and officials, international and local media representatives, trade visitors as well as industry sellers and buyers.

To be held at Myanmar International Convention Centre 1 and bearing the theme, ASEAN: Tourism Towards Peace, Prosperity and Partnership, ATF 2015’s programme will include numerous meetings for the region’s tourism leaders and private associations, a half-day conference and a two-day exhibition.

Jason Ng, executive director of MP Singapore, revealed that 85 per cent of exhibition booths have been sold and “there is overwhelming interest in the hosted buyers programme”.

Meanwhile, online registration for sellers is still open and applications for the hosted media and buyers programmes will conclude on October 15.

-TTG Asia.