ATF 2013 will take place in Vientiane from meet January and seems already to be successful to attract professional buyers from all over the world….
BANGKOK- The ASEAN Tourism Forum 2013 is Southeast Asia most prominent tourism travel show and travel conference. The 2013 edition will take place in Vientiane, Laos capital is due to take place from January 17 to 24 with the ATF TRAVEX, the exhibition show. The event will occur from January 22 to 24 at the Lao International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre (Lao ITECC), one of the most prestigious shopping and recreational centres in Vientiane. According to Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara, Minister for Information, Culture and Tourism, “this is indeed an exciting moment for Laos’ tourism industry. Since we hosted for the first time nine years ago, Laos has grown in infrastructure and facilities. Through we will do our best to contribute to strengthen and build an ASEAN community by 2015”.
Organizers TTG Events feel very satisfied with the first wave of registrations for the TRAVEX. Seven months before the show starts off, the Singaporean-based group reports sales of more than 260 booths, while buyers registration already hit 450. This represents a 40% jump over the results of last year at the same period. Easy location of the show, the professionalism of its team as well as the fact that TRAVEX provides the largest possible choice for tourism professionals to assess the variety of products available in the entire ASEAN explain the early success. Vientiane itself is preparing to the event. According to Saly Phimphinith, Director-General Tourism Marketing Department, some 300 new bedrooms will be available on a total of 3,000 beds. Twenty hotels have been designated as official accommodation during the show.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
