The Boao Forum for Asia � Tourism Conference was held on 17-20 November in Guilin, China and was co-hosted by the China National Tourism Administration, Asia Cooperation Dialogue and Boao Forum for Asia. Boao Forum for Asia serves as Track II of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue. Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Minister of Foreign Affairs was asked to be co-organizer of the event as Thailand is currently coordinator of the ACD, and is the prime mover in tourism along with other ACD countries.

The theme of the Conference was �The Prospects of Asian Tourism Sector and Measures Conducive Thereof�. Under this theme, there were topics including Region Tourism Development and Cooperation, the Development of Tourism Resources and the Sustainable Development of Tourism Sector in Asia, the Development of Agricultural and Industrial Tourism, Tourism and Poverty Alleviation, Tourism and Employment, etc. A workshop for Asian tourism practitioners was incorporated in the Conference, in which world-renowned experts were invited to give lectures on the tourism development trend and other related information.