Thursday, April 10, 2025
In a significant move to boost regional tourism collaboration, the Malaysia Tourism Agency Association (MATA) and the Da Nang Tourism Association (DATA) formalized their partnership today by signing a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the ASEAN Connect Conference in Da Nang, Vietnam
The MoU signing, which was attended by high-ranking officials and delegates from various ASEAN nations, marks a renewed focus on strengthening bilateral ties through tourism promotion, product development, workforce training, and joint marketing initiatives. This partnership comes at a pivotal moment as Malaysia prepares for its much-anticipated Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
The agreement was signed by Dato’ Seri Dr. Haji Mohd Khalid Harun, President of MATA, and Mr. Cao Tri Dung, Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, spoke during a session focused on advancing regional tourism collaboration.
“We are excited to forge this new chapter in ASEAN tourism,” said Dato’ Seri Dr. Khalid Harun. “This MoU reflects our shared goal of building a more interconnected, resilient, and vibrant tourism ecosystem across the region. As Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026, we are committed to strengthening collaborations, beginning with dynamic destinations like Da Nang.”
Chairman Cao Tri Dung emphasized the benefits of the partnership, stating, “This agreement will open doors to exciting cross-border travel opportunities, broaden our market reach, and foster deeper ties between our tourism communities.”
Notable figures in attendance included H.E. H.E. Dato’ Tan Yang Thai, Malaysia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, and H.E. Meynardo LB. Montealegre, Ambassador of the Philippines to Vietnam. Both highlighted the critical role of multilateral cooperation in tourism recovery and sustainable development post-pandemic.
In addition to the MoU with MATA, DATA also finalized an agreement with the Calabarzon Alliance of Independent Tour Operators (CAITO) from the Philippines, highlighting Da Nang’s aspiration to establish itself as a key tourism hub within ASEAN.
The ASEAN Connect Conference, under the theme “Opportunities to Enhance Cooperation between Da Nang and ASEAN Partners,” provided a vital platform for fostering city-to-city diplomacy, trade, and tourism collaborations.
This new collaboration highlights the growing influence of tourism associations in advancing ASEAN’s tourism integration agenda and fostering stronger people-to-people connections across the region.
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