Tourism forum focuses on sustainable development The East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Forum (EATOF) wrapped up in Ha Long city, the northeastern province of Quang Ninh on September 16, affirming its commitment to sustainable development in the region. The three-day EATOF 2010 reaffirmed the significance and role of the regional organisation in the new context, and stressed provinces’ commitments to fulfill their responsibility and rights as EATOF members. At the closing ceremony, Quang Ninh province’s leaders transferred EATOF’s flag to Cebu province of the Philippines, the host of the next forum.

Themed, “For sustainable development in East Asia”, delegates discussed tourism-related issues with the aim of building a sustainable EATOF.

Within the framework of the forum, a travel fair was held with the participation of over 30 booths from member provinces promoting their images and tourist products.

Also, a series of workshops and bilateral meetings among EATOF took place, offering opportunities for cooperation, investment and tourism development in each locality.

Established in 1999, EATOF consists of Cebu of the Philippines, Chiang Mai of Thailand, Gangwon of the Republic of Korea, Jilin of China, Luang Prabang of Laos, Primorsky territory of Russia, Quang Ninh of Vietnam, Sarawak of Malaysia, Siem Riep of Cambodia, Tottori of Japan, Tuv of Mongolia and Yogyakarta of Indonesia.

(Source: VNA)