KUCHING: The Asean Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) will be completed fully by 2015.
Federal Minister of Tourism and Culture Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said significant progress had been made so far and 75 per cent of ATSP for 2011-2015 had been completed.
“Let us work together in charting these strategic directions so as to maximise the potential of Asean tourism beyond 2015,” he said before officially closing the 33rd Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2014 held from Jan 16 to 23 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Thursday night.
He also extended his gratitude to the state government for co-hosting the event.
“The unwavering support and co-operation given by the state government has made a significant difference to ATF 2014,” he added.
Nazri also paid tributes to ministers, tourism officials, delegates, buyers and sellers, sponsors and media for strong support in making ATF2014 a success.
He also congratulated Asean Tourism Association (Aseanta) for successfully co-organising Travex and Asean Tourism Conference (ATC) 2014.
Nazri revealed that Travex 2014 had set a new record for Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) for utilising its total floor space for the travel fair.
He also said that the ATC 2014, which was also well received, provided fresh insights on accessibility and development of cruise and river-based tourism.
Nazri later handed over a plaque for chairing the ATF 2015 to Myanmar’s Minister of Hotels and Tourism U Htay Aung, as his country will be the next host.
Earlier State Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who said he felt honoured and privileged to be part of the international tourism event, hoped that those who attended the forum had fruitful engagement, bilateral discussion and business matching during the last eight days.
He also hoped that delegates would come back to Sarawak for longer vacations as their short stay only gave them a glimpse of what the state has to offer here especially in eco-tourism.
Later, Aung said he was confident that Myanmar would be successful in hosting ATF 2015 as they had conducted international events like the World Economic Forum on East Asia and South East Asia Games on a grand scale.
“That is why we will be ready to host ATF 2015 with the theme ‘Asean Tourism towards Peace Prosperity and Partnership’,” he said.
He said that it would be an exciting time for tourism industry in his country and it will also be an opportunity for them to create positive legacy for the region’s tourism.
According to Aung, Myanmar would be very honoured to host ATF 2015 because the year will be unique for Asean member states as they will establish Asean communities including Asean Economic Community to achieve higher levels of economic dynamics to sustain prosperity, inclusive growth and integrated development within Asean.
Delegates and guests were entertained by artistes and dancers from the Sarawak Cultural Village with sounds, songs and music representing the ethnic diversity of Sarawak
Also present were Minister of Industry and Primary Resource Brunei Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talib Zulpilip and chairman of Malaysia Tourism Board, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen and permanent secretary to Ministry of Tourism Sarawak, Datu Ik Pahon.