Published:  00:00 Thursday - April 07, 2011

The meetings of ASEAN Tourism Working Groups Committees hosted by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), has just opened in Hanoi on April, 5 2011.

The event sees the attendances of delegates of ASEAN NTOs, ASEAN secretariat, ASEAN Tourism Association.

Deputy General Director of VNAT, Mrs. Hoang Thi Diep said with rich, diversified natural and cultural tourism resources, ASEAN region has been offering various typical and attractive products to tourists within and outside region.

In 2010, ASEAN region received more than 65 million int’l arrivals, increasing by 12% over 2009. It is also showing that the region is heading with joint determination and efforts to acceleration ASEAN as a single attractive and sustainable development destination.

After economic crisis, the region’s tourism industry is still facing many difficulties and challenges. Therefore, in order to maintain momentum of tourism growth and attract more tourists traveling to and within the region, ASEAN NTOs should strengthen their closer coordination in all aspects.

As the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (STSP 2011-2015) was approved at the recent ATF in Cambodia by ASEAN Ministries, these meetings of ASEAN Tourism Working Groups would be of a milestone for regional tourism cooperation.

The meetings will concentrate particularly on discussing, working out measures, concrete programs and joint activities on tourism product development.

In order to improve the quality and the standardization of region's tourism human resources, delegates will also discuss on its issue, consider to adjust criteria of green hotel standards, suggest new tourism standards such as home-stay tourism, public toilets, beauty services, safety and security guidance in tourism... 

After the opening ceremony, the meeting of Tourism Marketing and Communication Working Group was taken place, focusing on marketing strategy, market segments and products, distribution strategy...ect.

All the meetings will last till April, 8 2011.

By Thanh Pham (TITC)