ATF 2013 attracts big numbers
Asean countries have embraced ATF 2013 with more than 1,000 exhibitors – 40% larger than the previous ATF Travex – heading to Vientiane in January.
The exhibition will have 75 corporate booths, the highest number achieved by the event so far.
New exhibitors comprise 35% with Indonesia strongly represented.
Hera Adiwikarta, corporate director of sales at Santika Indonesia Hotels & Resorts said, "When we were at ATF last year we had about 30 hotels. This year we have close to 50 hotels in Indonesia alone."
Host country Laos will have its largest ever contingent at ATF.
Saly Phimpinith, director-general of tourism marketing department in the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Laos, said, "Laos is constantly improving its service standards in the tourism industry.
"We have begun to classify hotels and guesthouses and are actively promoting community based tourism in order to improve the standard of living in remote areas."
The Travex Secretariat has attracted buyers from new countries, including Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Ireland, Israel, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka and Taiwan.
In all, 57% of buyers are expected to be new at this year’s event.
The 2013 Travex dates are from January 22-24, and the event will take place at the Laos International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre.
by Ian Jarrett
Ian Jarrett
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