The annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) kicked off in Bangkok on January 18.

As many as 17 travel agents and tour operators from Viet Nam together with other travel organisations from ASEAN member countries of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and the host Thailand are participating in the event.

On January 21, tourism ministers from ASEAN members will meet for a two-day meeting, followed by the Travex on January 23, the trade show that brings together, buyers and sellers for the doing-business sessions.

ATF is the annual summit of the public and private sectors in the Southeast Asian grouping which has a combined population of about 567.5 million, a total area of 4.5 million sq.m., a combined gross domestic product of over 1 trillion USD, and a total foreign trade of over 1.4 trillion USD. In 2006, ASEAN attracted an estimated 56 million visitors.

(Source: VNA)