The Lao PDR hosted the 27th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers (M-ATM), related meetings, and the 42nd ASEAN Tourism Expo in Vientiane between Jan 22-27, 2024. Since joining ASEAN in July 1997, Laos has previously hosted the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) twice, in 2004 and 2013. The theme of the 27th Meeting of ATM – “Quality and Responsible Tourism –Sustaining ASEAN Future” – reflects the host country’s and the ASEAN community’s dedication to upholding responsible tourism principles, such as reducing negative consequences and maximizing the benefits of tourism on the environment, society, culture, and the economy.
The Forum brought together tourist sector stakeholders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) ten member states and its dialogue partners. Expanding on the 2024 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) theme, the US-ASEAN Business Council was honored to convene a series of meetings with ministers and key officials at the 59th Meeting of ASEAN National Tourism Organizations and the 27th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers. The Council’s delegation was able to share key tourism industry insights and trends and provide recommendations related to supporting greater resiliency and sustainability in the travel and tourism industry within ASEAN.
The 27th M-ATM meeting was chaired by Lao PDR’s H.E. Suanesavanh Vignaket, Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism and vice-chaired by H.E. Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia. Secretary-General of ASEAN, Kao Kim Hourn, emphasized the important role ASEAN plays in developing the bloc's tourism industry and how important sustainable tourism development is for both preserving the environment, local culture and heritage and promoting economic growth in the region.
The meeting’s focus was on the implementation of activities under the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025, as well as other key priorities in 2023-2024 to support the speedy recovery of the tourism sector. ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2025 is set to be hosted in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, with the theme of “Unity in Motion: Shaping ASEAN’s Tourism Tomorrow”. Malaysia is also set to become the chairman of ASEAN in 2025.
