The new consumer destination marketing campaign for the 10 countries of Southeast Asia will launch this week at ITB Berlin. Southeast Asia: feel the warmth and its unique SoutheastAsia.org meta-search site will announce three developments.

First, a unique map-based trip planner on SoutheastAsia.org will allow travelers to plan trips, estimate costs, check availability and book.

Second, a six-week e-marketing campaign will commence 15 March and target three types of traveler: special interest travelers, soft adventure seekers and young independents.

Third, a three-month content contest aimed at travel bloggers, writers and photographers will also launch 15 March. SoutheastAsia.org aims to attract quality text and images based on first-hand travel experiences. Cash prizes and details of awards for the best submissions will be announced 12 March at ITB Berlin.

Southeast Asia: feel the warmth and its online marketing arm, SoutheastAsia.org, soft-launched at the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Brunei on 25 January. Since then, new hotel, package and tour options have been continuously added to the site in preparation for the consumer phase.

Southeast Asia: feel the warmth was created by a joint partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Tourism Association (ASEANTA) and the ASEAN Competitiveness Enhancement (ACE) project, a pro-ASEAN initiative of USAID. The campaign is supported by tourism departments of ASEAN governments.

Travel industry professionals and travel consumers can visit the Southeast Asia: feel the warmth booth at Hall 26A, Stand 139 during ITB Berlin, 10-14 March.

The official launch of destination Southeast Asia's consumer phase will take place at a press briefing 1.30-3.pm on Friday 12 March at the VIP Room, Grosser Stern at ITB Berlin.

Speakers include Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Under Secretary, Philippines Department of Tourism; Felix Cruz, Chairman, ASEANTA; Nino Jotikasthira, Managing Director and CEO of Turismo Asia, and ASEANTA Board member; and Vincent Kok, Chief Operating Officer, Creative Advances Technology.