Asian NTOs rejoin

With the success of International Travel Expo (ITE) HK '98, the National Tourism Organisations (NTO) of Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, which were absent last year, have made bookings to re-join the Expo this year.

They will team up with other Asian countries and regions, such as Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Taiwan and others from June 10 to 13 in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will promote its worldwide MilleniaMania campaign.

"We are also attracted by the newly-established Outbound Travel Mart in the '99 event.

"This new event enables outbound travel agents in the Mart to sell their products directly, which will surely increase the number of consumers visiting the Expo.

"We believe this is the right time and could help to promote Singapore and the campaign to the local people," an STB spokesman said.

The Philippine travel industry is eager to meet overseas buyers and promote local services and products.

A Philippine Department of Tourism spokesman said, "In 1999, the plan ... is to get more exposure in the Asian market.

"With particular interest in attracting the Chinese outbound travellers, we are going to participate again."