Northstar

www.travelweekly-asia.com 24 | ATF OFFICIAL SUPPORTING DAILIES show buzz FRANK HASSO WIEGAND MANAGING DIRECTOR, FOCUS ASIA EUROPE, GERMANY I'm a buyer for the CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam) region, and we're looking for suppliers here at ATF. We've a number of offices in Europe so ITB Berlin is important to us from a seller's perspective; and when we get here, we become buyers. This is probably already my 15th time here, and with the show being hosted by Singapore this year, I'm also looking forward to seeing more vendors from around this region. VIEWS THAT MATTER As ATF 2017 picks up momentum, here are a few sentiments on the show from buyers, exhibitors and trade visitors. By Natalie Joy Lee KHANITTHA BONNYONG DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING, KATATHANI COLLECTION, THAILAND We recognise the increase in visitors from the ASEAN region at our properties since 2016, and so we are here to find out the business directions of our buyers, and in turn to discuss what we can do for them. It's a good place to discover market sentiments for 2017-18, and to create strategies from there. CARINA DAWERT PRODUCT MANAGEMENT SOUTHEAST ASIA, GEBECO, GERMANY For 20 years, my boss has attended ATF. It's my first time here though, and he told me to expect a lot of inspiration for our new brochures and products. We are already running tours which include more than just one ASEAN country per trip, and they are doing very well. I also think it's good that ASEAN's best 50 festivals are being highlighted as part of the Association's 50th anniversary, because we do include festivals in our tours to make them more interesting. GELI REYES SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, PLANTATION BAY RESORT AND SPA, PHILIPPINES We are here in partnership with the Philippine Department of Tourism, and we are hoping to meet companies who are actively selling our country. It's about our 10th time attending, and this time, we are focusing on the ASEAN market. From a sales pitch point of view, we would rather not just sell Cebu – but the country as a whole, even though we do have direct flights to Cebu. It's an integrated approach that's working very well for us. photo gallery WHEN BUYERS MEET SELLERS

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