Indonesia and Malaysia on ASEAN Tourism Investment

Jakarta, Indonesia | September 02, 2007 by D-8 Secretariat

ASEAN Tourism Investment Forum (ATIF)

The strategic importance of the tourism industry for sustainable socio-economic growth of the ASEAN Member States and the diversity in cultures, economy, and the complementary advantages across the region, which would benefit the tourism development of ASEAN in the pursuit of improved regional quality life, peace and prosperity.

Nonetheless, despite these serious bumps in the road, ASEAN tourism has continued to grow at an impressive rate. ASEAN as a region is determined to look ahead and to build on its competitive advantages which entails new investments both in ’soft’ as well as ‘hard’ tourism infrastructure, as well as improving existing tourism attaractions, products and destinantions.

Market trends are also changing rapidly and ASEAN destinations have to be well prepared to meet new consumer demands. Larger aircraft, the growth of LCC carriers in the region, rapid changes in Information Technology, and above all the expansion of the internet in all aspects of tourism product information, purchasing, and distribution have transformed how people make their choices as to when, how, and where to travel on business or leissure.

All this will require serious levels of investment by both domestic and internatioal sources. Therefore, ASEAN countries who wish to see their tourism sector grow have to higly competitive as ‘investment destinantions’ in order to attract funding sources as in today’s global economy, investors have ample opportunities to invest in many economic sectors as well as other regions of the world besides ASEAN.

The goals of this forums as follows:

1. Raise awareness of investment opportunities in the tourism sector in ASEAN countries among the national and international investment community - banks, investment companies, and international financial institutions.
2. Promote potentials intra-regional tourism investment among ASEAN countries (such as the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) aliance or EAIG growth zone), or intra-provincial within ASEAN countries (for example, a a”cultural corridor” linking heritage sites in different provinces).
3. Give practical advice ans assistance to tourism regions and destinantions in ASEAN countries seeking investment from the international investment community on how to best prepare and present their investment proposals.
4. Hold a “Tourism Investment Opportunities” Expo to publicize to investors, media and delegates the many opportunities to invest in the tourism sector in Indonesia and ASEAN countries.

ATIF will be attended by NTO’s members, investors, governors & regional government representative, destination manager, related sectors, ministry of culture and Tourism, media, associations, academician, consultants, bankers and NGOs.

Tentative Programmes

The First Day, September 20th, 2007 Arrival, Opening Ceremony & Welcome Dinner

At the opening ceremony, there are some speakers will deliver their speech, that is Mr. Sambudjo Parikesit (Director-General of Tourism Destination Development, MOCT-RI), Mr. Jero Wacik (Minister of Culture and Tourism RI), Mrs. Sasithara Pichaichannarong (Deputy-Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand) aand Mr. Aburizal Bakri (Coordinating-Minister of Social Welfare of the RI) and welcommming dinner hosted by the Governor of Bali, Mr. I Dewa made Beratha.

The Second Day “Tourism Investment Forum & EXPO.

Keynote speech will be delivered by Mr. Tony Fernandes (Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Asia - Malaysia); at the first session there are some speakers as follows .” Mr. Muhammad Lutfi (Head of Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board- BKPM-Indonesia) will deliver “Challenges in Hamonizing National & Local Investment Regulations;” Mr. John M. Daniels (President Director of Bali Discovery Tour - Indonesia, will deliver “Cruise Industry: Ultimate Cross-Border ASEAN Tourism Investment;” Dr. Teresita C. del Rosario (Capacity Development Expert, Asian Development Bank-Thailand), will deliver Organizing Successful Investment Road Shows for Potentials Investors.” This session led by Mr. Sapta Nirwandar (Secretary-General of MOCT-RI).

At the second session, Mr. Alfredo Perdiguero (Senior Economist of the Social Sector Division, Asian Development Bank, Philipines), will deliver “ASEAN Partners - Leveraing Investment Opportunities Accross Borders: The Greater Mekong Sub Region Case Study;” Y. Bhg. Datuk Dr. Victor Wee Eng Lye (Secretary General, Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia) will deliver “Domestic vs Foreigns Investment: Pluses and Minuses;” Mr. Rusdi Kirana (President Director, Lion Air , Indonesia) will deliver “Low-Cost Carriers: Driver of Future ASEAN Tourism Investment Opportunities?” This session led by Economic Counselor, Embassy of Vietnam to Indonesia (Vietnam).

At the third session, Ms. Pamelia Lee (senior Cnsultant Singapore Tourism Board, Singapore), will deliver “One Stop Shopping:” Putting Together the Perfect Investor Friendly Investment Office; Dr. Milgros Espina, Chair, Tourism Committee, Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Philipines) will deliver “Challenges of Dealing with Local Communities in Tourism Investment;” Mr. James Murray, Executive Vice President South & Southeast Asia, Visa International Asia Pacific, Singapore, will deliver Top Ten Smart Tips from the Investment Community for Destinantions Seeking Investment.” This session led by Economic Counselor, embassy of Brunei Darussalam to Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam.

Recommendations will deliver to all ATIF delegates, ASEAN respective countries, media and private sector investors.

Representatives of ASEAN member countries with potential investment projects put up posters in exhibition area.

The Third Day, Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 Investment Potential Tours (optional):

Garuda Wishnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park, Bulgari Resort & Boutique or Pura Taman Ayun of the Mengwi Kingdom.

On September 23rd - 24th, 2007 will be continued by Task Force Meeting, attended by ASEAN member countries.

September 25th - 28th, 2007, Opening PATA Travel MART, all delegates cordially invited to attend the Opening Ceremony at Bali International Convention Center.

Secretariat:
Directorate-General of Tourism Destination Development
Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia
Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat 17, Jakarta 10110
Telephone: +62 21 383 8245
Facsimile: +62 21 386 7588
Email: atif(AT)budpar.go.id (replaced “AT”with “@”)
www.budpar.go.id

Read Also

• Conference on Investment Opportunities on Tourism Industry in Iran; the Promotion of Ecotourism within D-8 Framework
• Malaysia ready to help farm and tourism sectors uplift in Pakistan
• Iran: Call for Boosting Investment in Tourism
• Iran: Call for Boosting Investment in Tourism
• Malaysia Ready to Help Farm and Tourism Sectors Uplift in Pakistan
• Among D-8 Countries, Malaysia and Turkey Ahead in Tourism Opportunities
• Malaysia is committed to liberalisation of ASEAN Air Services, Bringing D-8 Civil Aviation Cooperation Closer to Fruition
• Among D-8 Countries, Malaysia and Turkey Ahead in Tourism Opportunities
• Indonesia to achieve Tourism Targets in 2008
• Abundant Business Opportunities in Aceh, Indonesia, Says Malaysia