The Philippines, host of the 35th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2016 currently taking place in Manila, is pulling out all stops to make an impression on its 2,620 delegates comprising ministerial and NTO delegates, Travex suppliers from across ASEAN, international buyers and media, who include Michael Flood, Editor of Irish Travel Trade News.
ATF Travex features the largest and most diverse collection of ASEAN suppliers and is connecting 1,000 exhibitors with 457 buyers from around the world, alongside 175 international and local media. Over 500 of these delegates have been hosted to the event.
The three-day ATF Travex 2016, which continues until 22nd January, will hold close to 70 official sessions, with the host country setting new highs on several fronts – from one of its largest ATF Travex exhibition showcases ever with 175 local exhibitors across the Philippines, to a generous line-up of social activities including the Pre-Show City Tours, Opening Ceremony, Welcome Reception and Dinner, and Farewell Party for all ATF delegates, as well as the Heavy Cocktails and exclusive Hosted Dinner for ASEAN NTO delegates.
Through its Filipino hospitality and capability, the country is demonstrating it has what it takes to be the fun destination of ASEAN – complete with world-class infrastructure, facilities and services to make even greater headways in its tourism appeal.
One of the Philippine Host Committee’s most anticipated highlights are its 10 post-ATF tours that run from 23rd to 26th January to celebrated spots in the Philippines, ATF’s most extensive number of post-show tours in recent years. With a diverse range of itineraries including UNESCO sites and heritage tours, to islands hopping and highlands visits, there is a Philippine destination to suit every taste. The list of tours offered include Ilocos: UNESCO World Heritage Tour; Cordillera Heritage Tour, Southern Luzon’s Heritage, Wellness, Culinary Trail; El Nido; Palawan: The Last Frontier; Northern Palawan’s Eco Adventure; Bicol Express; The Visayan Charms; Negros Y Cebu and Islands to Highlands.
“Visit Philippines Year (VPY) 2015 was truly a huge success,” said Susan del Mundo, Chairperson of ATF 2016 Travex Sub-Committee. “This year, with Visit the Philippines Again (VPA) 2016, we are confident that it will be another spectacular year for the tourism industry, not just with the help of the government and private sector, but also with the heart of the Filipino people. With the Filipinos as our most important asset, VPA 2016 will surely captivate tourists even more as they return this year. We believe that this year’s host committee has created ample opportunities for delegates to experience the appeal of the Philippines.”
True to ATF’s objectives of promoting the 10 ASEAN regions as a single destination, the spotlight at this year’s event is not only on the Philippines. Other ASEAN NTOs have displayed huge support and involvement in enhancing the 2016 ATF Travex programme. In addition to their own showcase on the exhibition floor, countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are showcasing their own destination’s appeal and hospitality, while evidencing ASEAN’s strength of diversified experiences amid a unified community, during hosted lunches, late night functions and cocktail bashes.
For more information and programme updates for ATF 2016, visit www.atfphilippines.com, #atf2016ph
