The annual ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), which includes the Travel Exchange (Travex), has been postponed from January to February 2-5, 2023, with Yogyakarta remaining as the host city.
Eddy Soemawilaga, president of the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA), mentioned the new dates in his travel association presentation at ITB Asia in Singapore on October 20. ASEANTA oversees the rotational ATF.
Bearing the theme Empower Talents, Embrace Technology, Recover Tourism, ATF 2023 will be held at the Jogja Expo Center (JEC) Yogyakarta, the biggest business events venue in Central Java, while NTO and government meetings will be at Yogyakarta Marriott Hotel.
The opening ceremony will be held at Prambanan Temple, while the farewell dinner will be at the Kraton (Royal Palace).
Speaking to TTG Asia on the sidelines of ITB Asia, Soemawilaga said: “I am excited since this will be the first fully in-person ATF event (post-lockdown) where many stakeholders including NTOs, industry members and media will gather in the beautiful city of Yogyakarta to reap the potential of tourism and travel within the ASEAN region.”
Yogyakarta is the gateway to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Borobudur and Prambanan Temple. The city is serviced by two airports – Adisutjipto Airport and the new Yogyakarta International Airport.
Preparations are underway with the event microsite/webpages recently uploaded.
