All systems Go for Host ASEAN Tourism Forum 2006

Philippines Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano on Tuesday assured that Davao City is ready to host the 25th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) on January 13 to 21, and is poised to make a grand entrance in the global tourism stage as an international tourist destination able to compete with its counterparts in Asia, a report from Philippine paper Manila Bulletin said.

The foremost travel trade show in the ASEAN region, ATF brings together industry players to discuss significant issues concerning tourism and to showcase ASEAN tourism products and services.

Members of the ASEAN are the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. Anchored on its goal to promote ASEAN as a single tourism destination through regional tourism cooperation, the ATF has since played a valuable role in the rapid tourism success of ASEAN-member countries, Manila Bulletin reported.

In the course of 2005, the Philippines welcomed nearly 2.6 million tourists from around the world.