MANILA, 7 September 2017 - AirAsia has won this year's Asean Business Award for Priority Integration Sector - Tourism.

The award recognises outstanding performance in the Asean priority integration sector of tourism.

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes accepted the award on behalf of the company at the Asean Business Awards (ABA) 2017 ceremony held in Solaire Resort and Casino here last night.

The award was presented by Asean Business Advisory Council (BAC) Chairman Joey Concepcion, witnessed by Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said, “Asean integration is about people as much as it is about policies. It's not just about having a community on paper. It’s about experiencing first-hand how others live, it’s about creating new jobs in travel and tourism, it’s about forming new supply chains by connecting places that have never been connected. Air travel does this and more - AirAsia carried 13.4 million people within Asean last year - and we are proud to do our part to bring the region closer together.”

The ABA was created by the Asean BAC in 2007 to recognise outstanding Asean enterprises, serve as a platform to spread information on the Asean Economic Community, and spotlight SMEs that have the potential of becoming global economic players in their respective industries.

In addition to tourism, Priority Integration Sector awards were given for achievements in 11 other sectors - fisheries, electronics, e-Asean/ICT, textiles, logistics, wood-based, rubber, agri-foods, healthcare, automotive and retail.

Also up for grabs were awards for SME excellence, women entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs and inclusive businesses, as well as the Friend of Asean Award and the Legacy Award.

Keep updated with AirAsia’s latest promotion and activities via twitter (@AirAsiaFilipino), Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsiaPH) and on Instagram (@AirAsiaFilipino).