Tour operators and media meet organized in Bangkok
Thailand fielded the largest sellers contingent at the 26th ASEAN tourism Forum in Singapore and is anticipating a good year ahead in the lead up to hosting the 27th ATF in Bangkok in January 2008.

The total of 112 individual hotels, tour operators and attractions comprised 20 percent of the total number of 552 country sellers listed in the directory of the annual event held in Singapore between 29 January to 2 February 2007, the most important show on the ASEAN tourism calendar.

The ATF rotates annually on an alphabetical basis through the ten member countries of ASEAN — Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Thailand, Lao PDR., Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Myanmar and Malaysia. The only country not to have hosted one so far is Myanmar.

Thailand has been reporting strong growth in visitors from ASEAN countries. In 2006, arrivals from ASEAN countries at Bangkok International Airport totalled 1.35 million, or 13.8% of total arrivals through Thailand's most important international gateway. The overall increase of 6.7% included strong growth in arrivals from Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia.

This is designed to promote both Thailand as well as its neighbouring countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion — Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR., Vietnam and China (Yunnan Province). All except China are also members of ASEAN.

PeaceJournalism.com, Nepal