US-ABC supports 2023 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Yogyakarta

February 13, 2023 (Yogyakarta)- ​ On 2-5 February, the US-ASEAN Business Council engaged ASEAN Tourism Ministers and National Tourism Organizations during 2023 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, leaning into policy recommendations from global travel and tourism players. The Council and Marriott International, in collaboration with the Indonesia Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, co-hosted US-ABC Ministerial Breakfast Session between US-ABC delegates and Heads of Delegation of ASEAN member states and partner countries, the first part of a series of ASEAN meetings held at the Ministerial level. Indonesia Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiago Uno led official meetings as ASEAN Tourism Chair and emphasized quality tourism and showcased ASEAN tourism as part of the economic engine that would drive the growth and recovery of Indonesia and ASEAN post COVID. He lauded the Council’s contributions as “ASEAN strategic partner”. The US-ABC collaborates with the Indonesia Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy through an MOU that was co-developed with U.S. industry input and support.

“ASEAN remains a bright spot in the global economy, expected to surpass GDP growth rates of other regions. Travel and tourism create new jobs and businesses in ASEAN and the Council is heartened to play a role in developing strategies and building capacity to help propel this industry’s increasing contribution to ASEAN prosperity,” US-ABC Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director Ambassador Michael Michalak stated.

H.E. Minister Sandiaga Uno from Indonesia, H.E. Deputy Secretary-General Satvinder Singh from ASEC, H.E. Minister Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Abdul Manaf Bin Haji Mettusin from Brunei, H.E. Minister Suanesavanh Vignaket from Lao PDR, The Honorable Secretary Christina Frasco from the Philippines, H.E. Minister of State Alvin Tan from Singapore, H.E. Vice Minister Doan Van Viet from Vietnam, H.E. State Secretary Thok Sokhom from Cambodia, H.E. Secretary General Datuk Hajah Saraya Arbi from Malaysia, H.E. Permanent Secretary Arrun Boonchai from Thailand, and H.E. Vice Commissioner Mitsuaki Hoshino from Japan joined the US-ABC Ministerial Session. The US-ABC delegation also held bilateral meetings with Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Japan, India, and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Online travel platform, Expedia Group, and Chair of the US-ABC Travel and Tourism Committee affirmed its positive outlook for the ASEAN travel landscape, sharing key insights and consumer trends that will fuel demand for leisure travel in the coming year.

This year’s ATF marked the return to a full conference with official meetings, the 26^th Meetings of ASEAN Tourism Ministers (M-ATM), held in person after a two-year hiatus. ​ Lao PDR will host the 2024 ATF and 27^th Meeting of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers. U.S. companies Expedia Group, Marriott International, Airbnb, Boeing, Agoda, Estee Lauder, and Royal Caribbean Group comprised the US-ABC delegation. Expedia Group chairs the US-ABC Travel and Tourism Committee with vice-chairs Airbnb and Marriott International.