CONGRESS

THE FIRST SEATGA CONGRESS HELD IN PADANG CITY WEST SUMATRA, INDONESIA JUNE 2, 2008

The First Congress of Southeast Asia Tourist Guides Association (SEATGA) was hosted by Indonesia Tourist Guides Association of West Sumatra Chapter, in Padang City West Sumatra Province of Indonesia from May 30 - June 2, 2008 officially opened by Mr. Jero Wacik - Minister for culture and tourism of Indonesia. The Congress aimed at formulating the Constitution of Southeast Asia Tourist Guides Association, setting up the SEATGA Program for 2008 - 2011 and electing the Executive Board Member of Southeast Asia Tourist Guides Association for next three years 2008 - 2011. The congress were attended by delegates from Singapore (Ms. Jean Wang), Malaysia (Mr. Jimmy Leong Wie Kong), Indonesia (Mr. I Nyoman Kandia), Philippines (Mr. Jimmy Barrientos), Thailand (Mr. Wirote Sitapresertnand), Myanmar (Ms. Tin Moe Mynt), Lao PDR (Mr. Jitthideth Oukham), Cambodia (Mr.  Ensary), and two delegates were absent from Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam.

SEATGA Congress however attended by Mrs. Rosalind Newlands (President Wolrd Federation of Tourist Guide Association), Mr. Alladin Khalifa ( WFTGA Vice President), Mr. Johnny Lee (WFTGA Board member) and Mr. Thomas Chow from Hongkong.  They were giving a seminar about World Federation of Tourist Guide Association and Mr. Chow giving a lecture about Tourist Guide Training.

Congress had  elected Mr. I Nyoman Kandia as President , Ms. Jean wang as the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Jimmy Leong as Vice President. Board members are: Jimmy Barrientos, Wirote Sitapresertnand, Ensary.  The focus program of  SEATGA Executive Board 2008-2011 is to promoting SEATGA establishment for  National Tourism Organization within Association of  Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) and be part of their organization to promoting the professionalism of Tourist Guide Skills in Southeast Asia. Last but not least, Mr. Eddy Krismeidi , Senior Officer from ASEAN Secretariat Jakarta delivered his presentation on  ASEAN Cooperation and Activities for Tourist Guides that Made The First Congress of Southeast Asia Tourist Guides Association legally completed.