2:00:36 PM | 5/11/2008
Vietnam will organize ASEAN Tourism Forum 2009 (ATF 2009) in Hanoi on September 5-12, 2009 with over 1,500 representatives, tourism ministers, officials and entrepreneurs of member countries.
According to the Organizing Committee, ATF 2009 events include ASEAN Tourism Ministerial Meeting, ASEAN-Partners Ministerial Meeting, meetings of officials and working groups of member states, ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA), ASEAN tourism trade fair (Travex) and others.
With the theme “ASEAN tourism towards a new height”, it is expected that ATF 2009 will promote tourism industry and prosperity in the region especially in the context of global economic crisis.
ATF was first organized in 1981 in Malaysia and rotated among member states. Vietnam joined ATF in 1998. Tourism contributes to Vietnam economy over US$2 billion a year, making up over 4 percent of GDP (10 per cent estimated by WTO).
P.V
Vietnamese
