ASEAN and the Hungarian travel industry

Hungarian travelers, investors, business people, and tourism professionals are among the target audience of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) that takes place in Manila, the Philippines (January 18-25), as a cooperative regional effort to promote tourism to the 10 member states.

Southeast Asia has become somewhat of a new, unified concept in Hungary over the past one decade, calling attention to the dynamic development this expansive region has achieved in recent years. Rapid economic growth and effective tourism promotion characterize the region as a whole, and Hungary, among other EU countries, has come to realize the profound and continued importance of how the ASEAN (All Southeast Asian Nations) has gained popularity in the tourism sector.

In January 2016, it is the turn of the Philippines to host the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), a cooperative regional effort to promote tourism to the 10 member states. The event is organized in the country’s stunning capital, Manila and seeks to contribute significantly to the region’s economic growth and sustained recognition all around the world.This
annual event involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10 member nations
of ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar,
the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. ATF 2016 marks the 35th
anniversary of this event since its inauguration in Malaysia in 1981.

The
event plays especial relevance at a trans-regional level, because the ASEAN
covers a land area of 4.4 million square kilometers, and the member
countries have a combined population of approximately 625 million people, 8.8%
of the world's population. If ASEAN were a single entity, it would rank as the
seventh largest economy in the world.

Whether
for business or for pleasure, Southeast Asia wants to continue maintaining a
high level of tourist satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful experience to its
tourists while raising their awareness about sustainability issues and
promoting sustainable tourism practices amongst them. In light of these
considerations, it leaves no questions unanswered as to why the Philippines
will serve as an exemplary host country to the event. The country itself
features itself as the combination of the mind, the soul, and the physical
beauty of the region as a whole with its enchanting DNA of warm and hospitable
people, culture, language, religion, architecture, cuisine and geography, where
old centuries meet the 21^st century.

The
Philippines will serve as a perfect location for the ASEAN to reveal its
tourism ambitions with sustainability that respects the local people, the
traveler, its cultural heritage and the environment. Tourism professionals,
travel experts, media delegates, and representatives of government bodies will
congregate during this event to exchange fresh ideas and “talk shop” in order
to increase the flow of tourists into the region and encourage buyers and
delegates to use every possible means as a promotional tool of lands yet to be
discovered.

Ramon
R. Jimenez, Jr. of the Department for Tourism has proudly announced in a
communiqué that “they are honored and proud of the Philippines’ hosting of ATF 2016. With the theme, One Community for Sustainability, the 35th edition of this forum
will launch the new ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2016 – 2020, which will
work towards not only the development and growth of the region’s tourism, but
also in ensuring that this growth is grounded on responsible,
sustainable, and inclusive tourism.”

Rudolf
Sárdi, DT correspondent and representative of China Airlines in Hungary will
be covering the event in an attempt to endorse the tourism
objectives of the Southeast Asian region among Hungarian travelers, investors,
business people, and tourism professionals.