Up to 38 top travel agents and tour operators from Vietnam have confirmed to join the event under the theme "Synergy of ASEAN towards dynamic unity in diversity," the organizing committee of ATF 2008 said last weekend. Vietnam's tourism industry has now shifted attention to the region as the number of arrivals from these countries last year was higher than average. The annual event, to be staged in Bangkok from this Friday to January 27, will comprise meetings among regional tourism organizations, as well as discussions with counterparts from China, India, Russia, Japan, and South Korea. Incorporated in the event will also be the ASEAN tourism minister's meeting, and Travex as a trade show for travel buyers and sellers to take place from January 21 to 26. The organizer said that of the participants from Vietnam, 21 are confirmed as buyers, and 17 as sellers. ATF 2008 buyers include travel wholesalers, retailers, agents, convention-incentive organizers, and other establishments specializing in outbound travel. Vu The Binh, head of the travel department under the Ministry of Culture, Sport, and Tourism, confirmed the interests by Vietnam's tourism industry in this event. "Vietnam's tourism authority will combine with enterprises to set up a common pavilion to promote the country's tourism image there to lure ASEAN travelers," he told the Daily. He said that the number of ASEAN visitors coming to Vietnam last year showed a steep increase compared to the overall picture. Arrivals from Singapore, for example, posted a year-on-year growth of 28% to 130,000, while Thai visitors totaled 160,000, up 36% year-on-year, and the number of Malaysian travelers even surged 48% to 150,000, Binh said, adding international arrivals in Vietnam last year as a whole increased 17% on 2006 to 4.2mil. In general, the total of number of ASEAN travelers in Vietnam last year, at over 550,000, matched well with the number of visitors from China, which is the biggest source market for Vietnam's tourism. "This year, we are focusing to develop overland travel in the ASEAN region, especially targeting travelers who wish to come via border gates in the central region of Vietnam," Binh said. He said that last year, many travelers from Thailand have visited the central provinces like Quang Nam, Thua Thien-Hue, and Danang via overland routes. Vietnamese participants in ATF 2008 are expected to have many opportunities as the event is a huge convergent point for the hospitality industry, with over 1,000 buyers and sellers from around the world, the organizer said. At the last event in Singapore, tourism authorities in ASEAN countries have agreed to join forces to promote the region as a single tourism destination. Next year, Vietnam will host this annual event, as in December, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also agreed a scheme proposed by Ministry of Culture, Sport, and Tourism to organize the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2008 Vietnam. The event will be staged in both the capital city of Hanoi and the northern province of Quang Ninh; home to the world's heritage site of Halong Bay.