Asia After Five — Tourism in ASEAN

About the event

The Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono warmly invites you to join us for an evening dedicated to hearing stories from a range of Southeast Asian tourism entrepreneurs who are visiting Aotearoa as part of the Foundation's ASEAN Young Business Leaders Initiative (YBLI) programme.

The delegation of 10 entrepreneurs arrive in Wellington having travelled down the North Island visiting tourism enterprises along the way. In Wellington they will attend TRENZ, the most significant international business-to-business travel trade event on New Zealand’s tourism events calendar.

At the Wellington Asia After Five event, the entrepreneurs will share stories about their companies, provide insight into the tourism sectors in their home countries and share their experiences to date in New Zealand. The entrepreneurs are from Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore and Thailand.

The event will follow our popular Asia After Five format — where we blend Asia-focused panel discussion with an evening of drinks, nibbles and making connections. 

Date/ time: Tuesday, 7 May, 5:30-7:30pm
Venue: Level 16, Fujitsu Tower, 141 The Terrace, Wellington Central

Tickets are limited so get in quick! We ask you RSVP by Tuesday, 30 April 2024, for catering purposes.

Meet our Panelists

Throughout the evening, we'll hear from a selection of four panelists from the delegation, while we invite you to network and meet the rest of the travelling delegation afterwards. Read on to get a glimpse of their experiences:

1. Cipto Handoyo

Director at Druk Asia Pte Ltd

Cipto Handoyo is the co-founder of Druk Asia Ptd Ltd, a leading Bhutan travel operator. Druk Asia has served as the General Sales Agent for Royal Bhutan Airlines in Singapore for the past 12 years. A native of Indonesia, Cipto received his education in Singapore, cultivating proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia, Malay, Chinese, and English. Additionally, Cipto is the founder and Principal at Deconid, a strategic advisory firm specializing in Indonesia. Through Deconid, he offers invaluable guidance to international clients on navigating regulatory landscapes and foreign direct investment and market entry.

2. Annie Vu

CEO of Tubudd

The CEO of TUBUDD brings over a decade of extensive experience in operations and sales within both the UK and Vietnam markets. With a robust background in the travel industry, Annie has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic acumen. Under her guidance, TUBUDD has emerged as a prominent platform dedicated to connecting individuals through travel experiences. Annie's vision has propelled TUBUDD to become a trusted resource for travellers seeking meaningful connections and unique adventures. Her expertise in fostering partnerships and driving innovation has solidified TUBUDD's position as a trailblazer in the realm of travel networking.

3. Natachai Naviroj

Project Manager at Florapark & Rosepark Wangnamkeaw

Natachai Naviroj, Project Manager at Florapark and Rosepark Wangnamkeaw. Situated in the Nakhon Ratchasima province, lies one of Thailand's most renowned flower and rose parks. Over its 13 years of operation, both parks have welcomed more than 2 million visitors who admire flowers and roses. Nestled amidst the picturesque hills of Wangnamkeaw district, the parks offer a serene escape to nature for families to cherish. Beyond their beauty, Florapark and Rosepark are recognised as educational centres for agritourism, employing solely local residents. As a second-generation owner, 2024 marks my fourth year at the helm, overseeing marketing, operations, and design for the parks.

4. Redita Aliyah Utomo

CEO at Merapi Park

Redita is the founder and CEO of Merapi Park, a renowned tourism destination celebrated for its dedication to sustainable practices in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Under her guidance, Merapi Park has become a symbol of excellence in recreational and educational offerings, boasting expansive open spaces that not only enhance lives but also foster health, social interaction, and economic development within the tourism sector since its establishment in 2017. Redita is driven by a desire to continuously innovate and make a greater impact by sharing her knowledge and expertise to advance Indonesian tourism further. Her unwavering dedication reflects a deep-seated mission to shape a sustainable and impactful future for tourism, both domestically in Indonesia and on a global scale.