First, a unique map-based trip planner on SoutheastAsia.org will allow travelers to plan trips, estimate costs, check availability and book.
Second, a six-week e-marketing campaign will commence 15 March and target three types of traveler: special interest travelers, soft adventure seekers and young independents.
Third, a three-month content contest aimed at travel bloggers, writers and photographers will also launch 15 March. SoutheastAsia.org aims to attract quality text and images based on first-hand travel experiences. Cash prizes and details of awards for the best submissions will be announced 12 March at ITB Berlin.
Southeast Asia: feel the warmth and its online marketing arm, SoutheastAsia.org, soft-launched at the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Brunei on 25 January. Since then, new hotel, package and tour options have been continuously added to the site in preparation for the consumer phase.
Southeast Asia: feel the warmth was created by a joint partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Tourism Association (ASEANTA) and the ASEAN Competitiveness Enhancement (ACE) project, a pro-ASEAN initiative of USAID. The campaign is supported by tourism departments of ASEAN governments.
Travel industry professionals and travel consumers can visit the Southeast Asia: feel the warmth booth at Hall 26A, Stand 139 during ITB Berlin, 10-14 March.
The official launch of destination Southeast Asia's consumer phase will take place at a press briefing 1.30-3.pm on Friday 12 March at the VIP Room, Grosser Stern at ITB Berlin.
Speakers include Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Under Secretary, Philippines Department of Tourism; Felix Cruz, Chairman, ASEANTA; Nino Jotikasthira, Managing Director and CEO of Turismo Asia, and ASEANTA Board member; and Vincent Kok, Chief Operating Officer, Creative Advances Technology.
For editors: Images of Mr Felix Cruz, campaign logos and Southeast Asian destinations can be downloaded here.
About the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA)
The ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) was formed on 27th March 1971. ASEANTA is a non-profit tourism association comprising both public and private tourism sector organizations from ASEAN. ASEANTA has grown to become a tourism association of influence within the ASEAN tourism landscape, playing an integral role in shaping tourism development growth and policies in the ASEAN region. Further information and ASEANTA mission statement.
About ASEAN Competitiveness Enhancement (ACE)
ACE was designed and funded by USAID's Regional Development Mission in Asia (RDMA), which is based in Bangkok. ACE's objective is to enhance the integration and competitiveness imperatives of two of ASEAN's priority sectors: travel & tourism and textiles & apparel. The ACE Project is part of the broader ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership which was launched in 2006, under which the United States pledged its support to ASEAN in pursuing its objective of becoming an ASEAN Community by 2015. The ACE Project is managed by Nathan Associates Inc. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.ace-advance.com.
Further information
Ikhwan Al-Rashid Abdul Rahman
ASEANTA Marketing Director
Tel: (60) 32692 6850
Fax: (60) 32694 2179
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Mobile: (60) 12 245 3073
Press queries
Ken Scott
ScottAsia Communications
Tel: (66) 81 931 2753
E-mail: [email protected]