Bangkok--5 Feb--eTurboNews
ASEAN Tourism Forum 2007, Singapore, 02 February 2007/eTN - The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2007 came to a successful close with a party at the St James Power Station. This year, more than 1,700 delegates including government officials, buyers, sellers and media personnel from over fifty countries participated in ATF 2007. To signify the handing over of ATF to Thailand, Mr Lim Neo Chian, Chairman of the Singapore Host Committee presented a handover gift - Framed Vanda Miss Joaquim Orchid, and the ATF Commemorative Trophy - to Dr Sasithara Pichaichannarong, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand..
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr Lim said "ATF 2007 has been productive and fruitful. There was much enthusiasm and commitment from my ASEAN NTO colleagues and our dialogue partners, in pursuing concrete results and actions. Key outcome of the ASEAN tourism Ministers and NTO meetings include strengthening integration in the region, with focus on increasing connectivity and liberalising travel barriers to facilitate easy cross-border intra-ASEAN travel, as well as making it convenient for visitors to travel into and within ASEAN. As ATF 2007 comes to a close, I am pleased to hand over the hosting of ATF 2008 to Thailand."
Commenting on her experience at ATF 2007 and Thailand playing host to ATF2008, Dr Sasithara said, "Singapore has done a great job this year. We are grateful and appreciative of all the preparations that had gone into planning and organising the various meetings, events and TRAVEX. Thailand is proud and all set to host ATF 2008. We also look forward to signing the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for Tourism Professionals which would eventually facilitate movement of tourism professionals within the region and enhance the quality of tourism human resources at ATF 2008 in Thailand."
At the closing ceremony, guests were treated to performances by San Nikkis and St James Power Station's in-house talents who entertained the crowd with renditions of Thai and English songs. St James Power Station epitomises Singapore's efforts to rejuvenate itself as a destination. This location, once Singapore's oldest power station, has been transformed into a popular entertainment complex that houses nine outlets spread over a sprawling 60,000 sq feet.