US-ABC organizes its first Industry Mission of the yearto the 27th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers (M-ATM) in Vientiane, Lao PDR
From January 23 - 27, the US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) engaged ASEANTourism Ministers and National Tourism Organizations during the 2024 ASEAN TourismForum (ATF) in Vientiane, Lao PDR, leaning into policy recommendations from global travel and tourism players. The Lao Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, H.E. Suanesavanh Vignaket, led official meetings as the ASEAN Tourism Chair, emphasizing theimportance of quality and responsible tourism, as well as encouraging cooperation among partners and stakeholders.
Led by US-ABC Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director, Ambassador Brian McFeeters, the delegation of the 2024 Tourism Mission aimed to highlight sustainable and responsible tourism practices, while providing recommendations that promote resiliency and recovery of the travel and tourism industry within ASEAN.
“US-ABC and its member companies want the same things ASEAN Member State governments want: recovery and then further growth of tourism in ASEAN. Our member companies stand ready to be a resource and partner for the region’s tourism recovery journey, particularly on topics around sustainability and travelers’ mobility – which is essential for travel and tourism”, stated US-ABC Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director Ambassador Brian McFeeters.
During the Mission, the delegation had the opportunity to present key tourism insights and recommendations to both ASEAN Tourism Ministers and Heads of National TourismOrganizations (NTOs) at the 59th NTOs Meeting and the 27th M-ATM. The delegation also engaged with the Tourism Ministers and key officials during the bilateral meetings, including:
- H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN
- H.E. Suanesavanh Vignaket, Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Lao PDR
- H.E. Dato’ Seri Setia Dr. Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Brunei Darussalam
- H.E. Sok Soken, Minister of Tourism, Cambodia
- H.E Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesia
- H.E. Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Thailand
- H.E. Nguyen Van Hung, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Vietnam
- Dato’ Roslan bin Tan Sri Abdul Rahman, Secretary-General, Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Malaysia
Online travel platform and Chair of the US-ABC Travel and Tourism Committee, Expedia Group, shared key insights and consumer trends that will fuel demand for leisure travel inthe coming year.
“Expedia Group believes travel is a force for good, and our mission is to power global travel for everyone, everywhere. We are encouraged by the recovery of travel and tourism across the ASEAN region, and we see a wealth of opportunity to contribute to the recovery and growth of travel. We look forward to supporting and empowering the industry through our technology and innovation, and for the opportunity to foster sustainability and quality tourism within ASEAN,” said Mohammad Matin Mohdari, Head of Public Policy, Government and Corporate Affairs, Southeast Asia and South Asia, Expedia Group
US-ABC member companies comprising the 2024 Tourism Mission delegation included Expedia Group, Marriott International, Airbnb, Estée Lauder, and Royal Caribbean Group.