ATF 2014: Tourism Authority of Thailand Forecasts Growth in ASEAN Arrivals

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is leading a strong Thai delegation at the 33rd ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

The buyer-and-seller trade show component of ATF, called the Travex, begins today and will continue until 23 January 2014, at the Borneo Convention Centre, Kuching.

Kuching is hosting ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2014. Click to Enlarge.

About 500 sellers, 500 buyers and 100 media are expected to attend. This year, the Thai contingent comprises 80 private sector companies, including 19 companies registered through TAT.

In 2013, a total of 7.39 million of Thailand’s total visitor arrivals came from ASEAN countries, up 27.6% over 2013 and a market share of 28%.

Malaysia topped the list with 2.99 million arrivals (+17.29%), followed by Laos with 1.10 million arrivals (+13.33%).

All the other ASEAN markets also showed strong growth: Singapore 936,477 (+12.66%), Vietnam 787,301 (+27.26%), Indonesia 589,079 (+31.54%), Cambodia 468,366 (+10.56%), Philippines 326,245 (+12.67%), Myanmar 172,374 (+33.23%), and Brunei 14,304 (+36.76%).

In 2014 TAT is projecting 7.64 million ASEAN arrivals.

On 22 January 2014, Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand will present a Thailand media briefing at the Borneo Convention Centre. He will provide an update of the Thai tourism situation including both an update of new Thai tourism products and services, as well as discuss the tourism impact of the anti-government protests in Bangkok right now.

The Chon Buri Provincial Administrative Organisation, Pattaya City, TAT Pattaya Office, and TTG Asia will bring a little more fun to the event with the annual and hugely popular late night function on 22 January 2014. The event will take place from 21:00-24:00 at the Hilton Kuching Hotel and will feature the Alcazar Show and an energetic musical performance.

The ATF rotates annually on an alphabetical basis through the ten member countries of ASEAN – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Bearing the theme, “ASEAN – Advancing Tourism Together”, this year’s ATF comes just one year before the 2015 target for implementation of the integrated ASEAN Economic Community blueprint, which includes policies designed to promote seamless travel, trade and transportation between the 650 million people of the region.