Countdown begins for ATF 2024, which will take place in Vientiane, Laos with a sustainability theme.
Laos is gearing up to play host to the 27th ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meeting and the 42nd ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Vientiane from 22-27 January 22 2024.
In latest updates, Khom Douangchantha, Director General of the
Tourism Marketing Department, unveiled that the Ministry of Information,
Culture, and Tourism (MICT) has formed a 13-member preparatory
committee entrusted with diverse responsibilities.
The committee is actively engaged in evaluating six officially
designated hotels that will serve as venues for the event. The Landmark
Hotel is set to host the official meeting, while 20 other hotels will
lodge the delegates participating in meetings and exhibitions.
Simultaneously, the committee has outlined a draft for the invitation
card and is in close coordination with the ASEAN Secretariat to
finalise the list of invitees, spanning tourism ministers from ASEAN
member nations, ASEAN plus 3, ASEAN-India, ASEAN-Russia, and other
international organizations.
Khom additionally highlighted that the committee is crafting an engaging tourism programme for the attending delegates
during their stay in Vientiane. This collaborative effort involves the
Department of Tourism Business Management and the Department of Tourism
in Vientiane Capital, both integral components of the Ministry of
Information, Culture, and Tourism.
While security arrangements are being meticulously worked upon, the
committee is also collaborating with travel agencies to develop diverse
travel itineraries for delegates, enabling them to explore other
provinces within Laos. These tailored tours will be accessible for
booking at designated hotels, ensuring easy access to information and
tour reservations.
On the transportation front, the committee is actively partnering
with tour operators to orchestrate seamless transport, encompassing
government-provided vehicles and rental options.
Khom emphasised that the ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meeting and ATF
stand as pivotal events, poised to bolster tourism in Laos and the wider
ASEAN region. The Lao government is steadfastly committed to
orchestrating an unforgettable and successful event for all
participants.
Anticipating an attendance of more than 800 to 1,000 individuals, the
committee is actively outlining the budget allocation for the event,
which will soon undergo governmental scrutiny and approval.
Moreover, preparations are in full swing for Visit Laos Year 2024, a concerted effort to welcome over 2.7 million tourists and invigorate post-pandemic economic resurgence.