ASEAN Tourism Investment Forum to be held in Bali in September

Sep 13th 2007

Organized back to back with the PATA Travel Mart, ASEAN will hold the Second ASEAN Tourism Investment Forum in Bali from 20-22 September. This is followed by the ASEAN Task Force Meeting, and continued with Indonesia hosting the PATA Travel Mart from 25-28 September 2007.

"The strategic importance of the tourism industry to support sustainable socio-economic growth of ASEAN Member States and the diversity in cultures, economy, and the complementary advantages across the region, will benefit tourism development in ASEAN in the pursuit of improved regional quality of life, peace and prosperity", says ATIF brochure.

Despite having faced a number of drawbacks, ASEAN tourism has continued to grow at an impressive rate. ASEAN as a region is determined to look ahead and to build on its competitive advantages which entails new investments both in 'soft' as well as 'hard' tourism infrastructure, as well as improving existing tourism attractions, products and destinations.

Market trends are also changing rapidly and ASEAN destinations have to be well prepared to meet new consumer demands. Larger aircraft, the growth of LCC carriers in the region, rapid changes in Information Technology, and above all the expansion of the internet in all aspects of tourism product information, purchasing, and distribution have transformed how people make their choices as to when, how, and where to travel on business or leisure.

All this will require serious levels of investment from both domestic and international sources. Therefore, ASEAN countries who wish to see their tourism sector grow must be highly competitive as 'investment destinations' in order to attract funding sources in today's fast global economy.