Surabaya to host ATF

JAKARTA (JP): Director General of Tourism Andi Mappi Sammeng said here yesterday that Surabaya, the capital of East Java, will host the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) from Jan. 6 to Jan. 12 next year.

He said that the event will take place at Tunjungan Plaza III, where 500 booths will be made available.

"As host, Indonesia will occupy 250 of the booths. The other 250 will be used by other ASEAN members," he said.

In addition to Indonesia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) also groups Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Two other Indonesian cities, Jakarta and Bandung, in West Java, hosted the ATF in 1986 and 1991, respectively.

According to Andi, 31 buyers and 212 sellers have already confirmed their participation in the next ATF, which will be organized by PT Setia Mice, a private professional conference organizing firm. (icn)