(VOVworld) – 1,800 representatives including ASEAN tourism officials, entrepreneurs, and dialogue partners have launched the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) to expand tourism cooperation. Lao Prime Minister Thongsin Thammavong spoke at the opening ceremony on Sunday in Vientiane that the event is of historic significance to ASEAN, considering it a premise to reach an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015. Thammavong cited the number of foreign visitors to the region which exceeded 81 million in 2011 as helping generate jobs, reduce poverty, and narrow the economic development gap, contributing to regional and national sustainable development.

A tourism minister meeting kicks off series of ATF activities (Photo: VOV)

A 500-booth exhibition on the sideline of the ASEAN tourism forum boasted tourism products of 10 members.

Quoc Khanh, VOV correspondent in Laos