Kuala Lumpur: The 61st Meeting of the ASEAN National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) held today facilitated productive discussions with key ASEAN-associated entities and international organisations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) secretary-general Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman highlighted the participation of several key associated entities and organisations, including the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2025; Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT); Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA); ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA); ASEAN Tourism Research Association (ATRA); US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC); EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC); Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and United Nation Tourism (UN Tourism).
The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the progress of the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2016-2025, planning the Post ATSP 2025, evaluating tourism performance, and preparing for the upcoming Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers on January 19. However, Roslan noted that the outcomes of the discussions would be officially presented at the Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers and were not disclosed at this time.
Earlier, Roslan chaired the NTOs meeting, which saw participation from representatives of Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. He encouraged everyone to stay informed as ATF 2025 presents a significant opportunity for Malaysia to enhance its leadership in the regional tourism sector and showcase its cultural heritage. He also emphasized Malaysia's commitment to advancing ASEAN tourism.
Roslan expressed confidence that the ASEAN Tourism Forum would catalyze new opportunities benefiting ASEAN member states and the global tourism industry. The 61st Meeting of the ASEAN NTOs was a key highlight on the second day of the ATF 2025, an annual event that gathers representatives from the 10 ASEAN member states, observer country Timor-Leste, ASEAN's Dialogue Partners - China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Russia - and other international stakeholders and organisations.
Themed 'Unity in Motion: Shaping ASEAN's Tourism Tomorrow,' the ATF 2025, held from January 15 to 20, serves as a platform for tourism professionals across Southeast Asia to enhance cooperation and foster sustainable growth in the region's tourism sector.