THE Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has reported a healthy booking for ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2008, to be held in Bangkok from January 18 to 26.

TAT executive director for ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific, Mr Prakit Piriyakiet, said 384 organisations had already bought 480 of the 500 exhibitor booths. Thai hotels and tour operators represented the majority with 224 booths, followed by sellers from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, respectively.

He said about 300 buyers from 49 countries, especially from longhaul markets such as Europe and the US, had already signed up for the event. The early bird registration will close on October 31 and the organising committee will meet on November 6 to conclude final details on all registered sellers and buyers.

Themed Synergy Of ASEAN Towards Dynamic Unity In Diversity, the official programme will begin on January 18 with the meetings of the ASEAN Tourism Task Forces at Sofitel Centara Grand Hotel. The meetings of the ASEAN NTOs will be held on January 19 and 20.

The NTOs of ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea will meet on January 20, and the ASEAN tourism ministers, airlines, hoteliers and travel agents will hold their respective meetings the next day.