President Megawati to Open ATF

(1/18/2002)

President Megawati Soekarnoputri will deliver the keynote opening address at the ASEAN Travel Forum (ATF) to be held in Yogyakarta January 25 - 28.

346 registered buyers of travel products from 46 countries will join some 1,100 other travel industry professionals, journalists, and government delegates at the conference and travel exchange held each year on a rotating basis in a different member nation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

This year's event has become the pet project of Yogyakarta's Governor and Sultan, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X who has declared a "Royal ATF" and built a massive conference hall - the Yogyakarta Exhibition and Conference Center (YECC) to accommodate the event. In keeping with the special status accorded the ATF by the Sultan, the opening ceremony featuring the Republic's President will be held at Yogyakarta's Royal Palace - the official private residence of the Sultan.

Also speaking at this year's ATF is Mr. Abdul Ghani the President Director of Garuda Indonesia Airlines who is expected to comment on the issues confronting travel and the international airline industry in the wake of the tragic events of September 11.