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About ASEAN Tourism Conference

Unity in Motion: Shaping ASEAN’s Tourism Tomorrow

The ASEAN Tourism Conference (ATC) provides a unique opportunity to exchange insights on current and future trends, explore the future of the tourism industry, and networking.

This year’s conference will see key discussions and inspirational sessions focusing on sustainability, the role of online travel agencies, video platforms, cross-regional tourism exchanges, artificial intelligence and more.

Panel Speakers

Dr. Jong Woo Kang

Asian Development Bank

Director for Regional Cooperation and Integration, Economic Research and Development Impact Department

Randy Durband

Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

CEO

Kingston Khoo

Eco-STEPS

President

Cher Chua-Lassalvy

Batu Batu

Co-founder and Managing Director

Giuliana Riitano

Rocket Travel by Agoda

Vice President of APAC Partner Management

Noor Ahmad Hamid

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)

Chief Executive Officer

Lee Jian Xuan

STB

Area Director

Amelia Peng I-Mei

TikTok Malaysia

Head of Brand Partnerships

Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel

Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA)

National President

Justine Vaz

The Habitat Foundation

Executive Director

Yang Li

Booking.com

Head of Public Affairs APAC

Hannah Pearson

Pear Anderson

Director

Dr. (Hon) Wong Siew Te

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Founder and CEO

Rohan Raghavan

Google Malaysia

Industry Head

Nadia Zahir Omer

AirAsia MOVE

CEO

Conference Schedule

TIME

SESSION DETAILS

DAY 1 – 15 January 2025

14:00-14:10

KEYNOTE – OPENING SESSION

Tourism Malaysia Director General

14:10-15:00

SESSION 1

Charting Tourism for ASEAN: Trends Defining the Next Decade

Kickstarting the 2025 ASEAN Tourism Conference, this session will gather the leading experts in the tourism industry to share their insights into the trends that are going to redefine the tourism landscape in ASEAN over the next 10 years, from technology to sustainability, consumer behaviour to trending destinations.

Speakers:
Randy Durband, CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
Noor Ahmad, CEO, PATA
Giuliana Riitano, Vice President for Asia-Pacific, Agoda

Moderator:
Nigel Wong, President, Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA)

15:00-16:00

SESSION 2

Sustainability Pioneers: Malaysian SMEs Driving Change

This session will spotlight successful Malaysian SMEs that have implemented sustainable tourism from a grassroots level. They will share their highs, their lows – and the economic benefit they’ve seen from implementing sustainable practices. Listen and be inspired to adopt and implement similar sustainable strategies.

Panellist:
Justine Vaz, Executive Director, The Habitat Foundation
Cher Chua-Lassalvy, Co-founder and Managing Director, Batu Batu
Dr Wong Siew Te, CEO and Founder, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Moderator:
Kingston Khoo, President Eco-STEPS

16:30-18:30

SESSION 3

Singapore Tourism Board Destination Update
& Networking Session

Join us for an exclusive insight into Singapore’s latest tourism offerings and developments. This session features:

  1. Engaging presentations from Singapore Tourism Board and key industry partners
  2. Updates on Singapore’s newest attractions, experiences, and initiatives
  3. Opportunity to network directly with Singapore’s leading tourism stakeholders Connect with Singapore’s tourism experts and discover what’s new from Singapore. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your understanding of Singapore and expand your business network with our industry partners.

 

Speaker:
Mr. Lee Jian Xuan, Area Director, STB Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei

DAY 2 – 16 January 2025

09:00- 10: 00

SESSION 4

Artificial Intelligence: The Next Frontier for Tourism

Emerging technologies such as AI are transforming industries worldwide, including tourism, sparking excitement. This session will explore how AI will make a deep impact on the tourism industry. Listen to leading AI stakeholders discuss practical ways in which businesses can harness the power of AI into their operations – and become more efficient.

Speaker:
Rohan Raghavan, Industry Head, Google Malaysia

10:00- 10:30

SESSION 5

The trip before the trip: TikTok’s influence, innovation & impact in the travel sector

In this practical session, delegates will learn the power of short video marketing, understanding how influential these platforms are to decide destinations and experiences – and how to deliver results for tourism and destination marketing through the TikTok platform.

Presented by:
Amelia Peng I-Mei, Head of Brand Partnerships Malaysia, TikTok

10: 30 – 11:30

SESSION 6

Friend or Foe? Navigating the Role of OTAs in the Tourism Industry

In this dynamic closing session of the ASEAN Tourism Conference, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and Travel Associations will come face-to-face to engage in a lively debate on the evolving role of OTAs, and the challenges within the tourism industry.

Speakers:
Yang Li, Head of Public Affairs APAC, Booking.com
Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel, National President, Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA)
Nadia Omer, CEO, AirAsia MOVE

Moderator:
Hannah Pearson, Director Pear Anderson

11: 30 – 12:00

SESSION 7

ASEAN-Republic of Korea Tourism Cooperation: Fostering People-to-people Connectivity

The presentation highlights tourism as a vital pillar of ASEAN-Korea economic cooperation, contributing to GDP, employment, and cultural exchange while addressing challenges such as infrastructure limitations, regulatory barriers, and the need for digital transformation, particularly in a post-COVID landscape which underscores safety, sustainability, and inclusivity. It examines evolving tourism patterns and highlights opportunities in untapped destinations, the growing influence of Korean culture, and the potential for regional cooperation in digital and sustainable tourism practices. Lastly, the presentation discusses bilateral policy initiatives and future measures to enhance tourism’s role as a driver of broader economic growth.

Presented by:
Dr. Jong Woo Kang, Director for Regional Cooperation and Integration, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development Bank

14:00 – 15:30

OPEN WORKSHOP 1

A Practical Guide to Navigate Sustainable Tourism

Tourism businesses are invited to attend this hands-on workshop to learn practical steps for embarking on a sustainability journey, including insights into obtaining certifications. This session aims to equip participants with a comprehensive, practical guide for integrating sustainable practices into their operations and offers foundational knowledge to support meaningful, lasting change.

Facilitator:
Kingston Khoo, President Eco-STEPS

15:30 – 17:00

OPEN WORKSHOP 2

Generative AI: Fueling the Next Wave of Growth for Tourism Ecosystem

Discover how Generative AI is revolutionising the ASEAN tourism industry. This session provides tourism professionals with practical insights and hands-on experience using AI tools to drive growth, enhance customer experiences, and unlock new opportunities in this dynamic market.

Facilitator:
Wai Chong, Regional Country Manager, PointStar

DAY 3 – 17 January 2025

OPEN WORKSHOP 3

Leveraging IP for the Growth of the Tourism Industry in ASEAN

Organized by
the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

09:30 – 10:00

Registration

10:30 – 11:00

SESSION 1: WIPO as your Strategic Partner for Innovation

Role of WIPO Singapore Office in Supporting the Tourism Industry in ASEAN

Exploring the wide range of programs and activities the WIPO Singapore Office offers to support IP-driven growth in the ASEAN region.

Presented by:
Ms. Thitapha Wattanapruttipaisan, Director, WIPO Singapore Office

 

10:00 – 10:30

Soft Launching Ceremony of Microsite on IP-Driven Tourism in ASEAN

AWGIPC Chair/Representative (TBC)
NTO Chair/Representative (TBC)
Ms. Thitapha Wattanapruttipaisan, Director, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Singapore Office, Singapore

Group Photo (TBC)

11:00 – 11:30

SESSION 2: The Benefits and Value of IP to the Tourism Industry

Understanding how IP can unlock new opportunities for tourism operators, enhance visitor experiences, and contribute to sustainable economic development.

Presented by:
Ms. Esther Loh, Counsellor, WIPO Singapore Office

11:30 – 11:55

Session 3: Know Your IP (Workshop Exercise)

A hands-on session where participants will actively identify and leverage their IP assets. The follow-up discussion will address any questions, ensuring clarity. By the end, participants will understand how their IPs fit within their business model, enabling them to develop strategies to maximize their IP value.

Moderators:
Ms. Thitapha Wattanapruttipaisan
Ms. Esther Loh

Register with QR Code

Register Online

Register Online

11:55 – 12:00

Closing Remarks

Speaker:
Ms. Thitapha Wattanapruttipaisan