Philippines to host 2006 ASEAN Tourism Forum

The Philippines will play host to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Forum (ATF) on Jan. 13 to 21, 2006, with Davao as the host city for the nine-day travel and trade fair.

The country got the hosting job after Myanmar surrendered the chairmanship of the ASEAN and its privilege to facilitate the culminating event next year. The ASEAN Secretariat tapped the Philippines to assume the chairmanship next year and automatically take charge of the ATF since it was next in line in the hosting rotation.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano explained that the city of Davao was chosen to be the venue of the event due to its capacity in terms of hosting big events and its world-class facilities such as hotels and convention centers.

"Manila and Cebu had their turn. It’s about time we give Davao a chance. They are very capable now," said Oscar Palabyab, Undersecretary for Tourism Services and Regional Offices and head of the Department of Tourism (DoT)’s ATF Working Group.

He assured that the event will definitely boost the islands’ local tourism industry, with Davao and the rest of Mindanao as the main beneficiaries.

Around 3,000 guests from South East Asia and all over the world are expected to flock to Davao for this event.

"This will certainly create more opportunities, specifically opening more direct flights to Davao from other countries. We are also positive that security will not be a problem, especially if people realize the advantages of ATF. This is non-political – this is for everyone," stressed Palabyab.

In preparation for the upcoming international tourism event, the business and trade capital of Region IX has been undergoing renovations on several infrastructures being eyed as sites of the various ATF activities.

The NCCC Mall Convention Center is being spruced up to be able to accommodate the large number of expected visitors and participants for the opening ceremony. The Marco Polo Hotel, on the other hand, is also refurbishing its facilities and improving services to better cater to the ATF VIPS who will be billeted at the hotel.

For the ministerial meetings and conferences, the DoT are considering the Davao Convention and Trade Center, Central Bank Auditorium, or the function rooms of Waterfront Insular Hotel, Grand Regal, The Royal Mandaya, and Apo View Hotel.

Meanwhile, the spacious NCCC Mall or Makro are the proposed venues for the Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), a trade-only mart offering ASEAN tourism products and where services providers get the chance to meet buyers from around the world.

"The Travex is one of the more important activities in the ATF and it needs a huge space. We are currently looking to hold it at Makro because it is spacious, new, and well ventilated," Palabyab revealed.

Sec. Durano revealed that there have been a lot of anticipation going on, and high expectations for the country’s hosting of the ATF next year since it is the Philippines’ 4th time to host the event. The ATF has been held at the PICC in 1988, at SM Megamall in 1993; and in Cebu City in 1998.

"Although the last staging of ATF in the country in 1998 was very successful, I believe we can generate much more attention this time," he said.

Since its inauguration in Malaysia in 1981, the ATF has lived up to its goal as a premier annual regional endeavor that focuses primarily on the collective interest of member countries to promote the Southeast Asian borough as a major tourist hub.