The ASEAN Tourism Forum is a cooperative regional effort to promote the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as one tourist destination and the most important activity of the ASEAN tourism cooperation framework. The annual event—held this year from January 15-21, 2011—involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10 member nations of ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

This year’s forum marked the 30th anniversary of ATF, and Cambodia—the honored host country—made sure the occasion was an utterly unforgettable one. On the evening of the opening ceremony, delegates enjoyed a sumptuous open-air catered dinner on Diamond Island, which was transformed by hundreds of tables bedecked in sheets of golden silk. Once dinner finished, delegates were invited to the show arena, where they were graciously welcomed with speeches by Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An, and Minister of Tourism Dr. Thong Khon.

After the welcoming speeches, over 600 singers, dancers, and artists from the Ministry of Fine Arts took to the stage, treating delegates to a host of brilliant song and dance acts that showcased both traditional and contemporary art forms. The performances embodied this year’s ATF’s theme—“A World of Wonders and Diversity” perfectly, not only by presenting the incredible diverse offerings of Cambodia, but of all of ASEAN. Highlights of the evening included hundreds of dancers clothed in resplendent costumes acting out the Ramayana, a fashion show featuring stunning Khmer fashions from pre-Angkorian to modern times, and a choreographed end sequence incorporating all the flags of the ASEAN nations. State of the art sound effects and pyrotechnics elevated each performance to a whole new level.

Finally, in a magnificent ending to the ceremony, delegates watched as the Phnom Penh sky was set aglow with an array of multi-colored fireworks that bloomed above the city’s Tonle Sap river. The jaw-dropping display, viewed by participants of the ATL from Diamond Island, lasted a full 30 minutes and made for a remarkably memorable welcome and official start to ATL 2011.