The Tourism in ASEAN 2014 (TIA) 2014 event with the theme 'Heritage and Wellness – The Key to Sustainable Tourism in ASEAN' is expected to bring together approximately 500 experts, key tourism authorities, delegates, buyers and participants including captains of the industry together in one venue from across the ASEAN region in a packed four day conference, exhibition and tour centric event.
 
Participants to the event will have the opportunity to network directly in B2B opportunities, learn what is new in the industry, compare and develop new ideas and strategies in regional tourism, product and services development, health issues in tourism, development of health and wellness industry infrastructures in tourism, frameworks for sustainable tourism and more while strengthening contacts and friendship across the tourism industry within the region.
 
Participants will have the added benefits of learning from well-known speakers who are experts in their fields within the health and wellness industry such as Dr Mary Wong, CEO of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council of the Health Ministry Malaysia who spearheads the development of Health and Wellness tourism in Malaysia, Prof Dr Pornphatu, the  Advisor and Researcher, ASEAN and Asia Studies Center, National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) Thailand and Prof Dr Zadok S. Lempert, President and CEO of Panorama-Medica Group.
 
The event will cover conference, exhibitions, workshops and tours that have been especially customized for this event that is not easily available to the general tour programs and is a highlight of the Tourism in ASEAN 2014 event. The addition of invited buyers from Russia and China will further boost the market for tourism in these 8 ASEAN countries.

Objective of TIA 2014
 
The objective of the event is to promote tourism in the ASEAN region in view of the upcoming AEC 2015 meeting in Bangkok. To highlight the possibilities of cooperation between the tourism councils and travel companies in the 8 ASEAN countries, this will focus on tourism in general and in particular the health and wellness industry. To present a concept of innovative ways to present tourism and healthcare to establish new contacts with the intention to strengthen the bonds in between  industry leaders and captains as well as the tourism councils to improve the economy in tourism within the ASEAN region.
 
Target participants for TIA 2014 would be those in the health and wellness industries specifically hospitals, doctors as well as those who are looking to venture into this industry. Others would be participants who are looking to develop and make comparisons in the health and wellness industry around the globe. Medical practitioners or wellness practitioners will be able to meet and source new ideas, innovations and concepts in the ASEAN market. Health equipment and wellness suppliers would also be able to exhibit their products. Travel agencies will be able to create wellness products through contacts in the event as well as to market their own concepts. Vendors of individual tour services or destinations would be able to highlight and display their new tour packages to the participants and public.
 
We hope that with TIA 2014, we will be able to set the level one step higher and encourage better ideas in the tourism industry to meet the demand for more products and services by the travellers and health solution seekers worldwide and focusing on this industry which is fast developing in the ASEAN region.