CAN EMERGING DESTINATIONS REALLY HANDLE BIG EVENTS?
Destination Case Study on the 2017 Mekong Tourism Forum in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR By Gerardine Donough-Tan The exotic allure of emerging markets such as... Read More
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) is administered out of the offices of the Department of Tourism of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, based in Bangkok, and was established with funding from the six governments of Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand, which represent the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). A common goal of both of public and private sectors in all countries is to create sustainable tourism profit. This is achieved optimally by increasing inbound tourism yield, by developing quality products that tourists are willing to buy, and inciting longer stays with enhanced motivation to revisit. Thus, GMS’s strategy is to “develop and promote the Mekong Region as a single tourism destination. In 2014 the GMS welcomed 51.8 million international tourist arrivals, representing a 3% share of the global market.for the latest news, stories, and statistics from the Greater Mekong Subregion, please visit www.MekongTourism.org.
Learn MoreMekong Tourism Forum: The GMS must-attend Conference
The Mekong Tourism Forum provides a cooperative platform for public and private sector stakeholders in the tourism industry to discuss the development, marketing and promotion of travel to, from and within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), and monitor sustainable and responsible tourism growth. The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) has revived the forum in 2010 taking place in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with the theme of “New Roads, New Opportunities”. Followed by MTF2011 “Destination Mekong: The Making of a Star” in Pakse, Laos, MTF2012 in Chiang Rai, Thailand with the theme of “20/20 Vision: Building on Two Decades of GMS Cooperation”, MTF2013 in Guilin, China with the theme ““The Rise of the Chinese traveller: Optimizing the impacts for the GMS”, MTF2014 in Mandalay, Myanmar with the theme “Tourism investment for the protection of Heritage and Culture”, MTF2015 in Da Nang, Viet Nam with the theme “Unlocking the GMS via Innovative Partnerships”,and MTF 2016 in Sihanoukville, Cambodia with the theme “Authentic Experiences along the Mekong River.”
Learn MoreDon't Miss MTF 2017
Hosted by the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICT) in UNESCO World Heritage Town Luang Prabang from June 6-9, the three-decade old event is now free of charge for all tourism professionals. After inspiring keynotes in the morning, MTF2017 will feature eight topical tracks with two sessions each in experiential venues all around Luang Prabang. The day prior, we will host the first MIST (Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism), in partnership between ADB and MTCO to support local travel and tourism startups. On the same day in the afternoon, will also have a half-day session to educate travel and tourism operators how to engage with influential bloggers. MTF2017 is under the theme: Prosper with Purpose. Optional post-MTF technical tours allow to explore the area around Luang Prabang. Don’t miss this year’s Mekong Tourism Forum, which is testing a new concept to showcase the destination by matching 8 topic tracks with 2 sessions each with 16 experiential sessions. Take a look at the sessions by clicking on the link below. MTF 2018 will be hosted in Thailand by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS).
Learn MoreSpeakers
Sounh Manivong
Director General of Tourism Marketing Department - Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism of Lao PDRLuzi Matzig
Chairman, Asian TrailsJoe Cummings
Lonely Planet Author & Editor at Large - Talisman MediaInthy Deuansavan
CEO & Founder, Green Discovery & Inthira Hotels (Laos)Randy Durband
CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)Luc Citrinot
Managing Editor, ASEAN.travelSteven Schipani
Senior Portfolio Management Specialist - Asian Development Bank (ADB)Robert Hecker
Managing Director - Pacific Asia
Day 1
06 Jun 2017
Day 2
07 Jun 2017
Day 3
08 Jun 2017
Day 4
09 Jun 2017
9:00 - 17:00
Luang Prabang View Hotel
MIST – Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism
The climax of the Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST) initiative will take place all day as shortlisted finalists pitch their business plans to a panel of venture capitalists and... Read More
Jason Lusk
Jay Hyunjung Kim
Dominic Mellor
MIST – Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism
Inthy Deuansavan
Jens Thraenhart
Mekong Tourism Sector Strategy Open Forum
Moderated by: Steven Schipani, ADB & Jens Thraenhart, MTCO In 2004-2005, at the request of the GMS TWG and with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), a GMS Tourism... Read More
Steven Schipani
Jens Thraenhart
Blogger Match-Up @ MTF 2017
The Blogger Match-Up at MTF 2017 will provide hands-on practical training for the travel and tourism industry in the areas of understanding working with bloggers, and connecting with some of the most... Read More
Gerrit Kruger
Polkrit Thomya (Art)
Ric Gazarian
18:30 - 21:00
Xishuangpanna Hotel
MTF 2017 Welcome Reception
Venue: Xishuangpanna Hotel Website: http://www.xishuangbannahotel.com
20:00-22:30
Eat, Dance & Play – A Lao Triathlon
Experience Lao Culture on an exciting triathlon in the World Heritage Town of Luang Prabang. Khiri Travel invites you to Eat, Dance & Play – A Lao Triathlon on the... Read More
Willem Niemeijer
MTF 2017 Opening Ceremony
Venue: Central Bank 9:00 - 10:00 – MTF 2017 Opening Ceremony Speakers: > Governor of Luang Prabang > Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism – Lao PDR > Executive Director... Read More
Dr.Soudaphone Khomthavong
Christine Brew
Steven Schipani
Jens Thraenhart
10:00-10:30
MTF 2017 Keynote Speech 1: Prosper with Purpose
PROSPER WITH PURPOSE Passion + Purpose = Prosperity! Speaker: Anna Pollock – Founder, Conscious.Travel Up until a decade or so ago, the purpose of business was never questioned... Read More
Anna Pollock
MTF 2017 Keynote Panel
Venue: Central Bank Moderator: Imtiaz Muqbil -Executive Editor, TravelImpact Newswire Panel: Ms. Yin Myo Su – Founder/CEO, Inle Heritage Myanmar Mr. Inthy Deuansavan – Founder/CEO, Green Discovery Laos Mr. Michael... Read More
Imtiaz Muqbil
Yin Myo Su
Michael Zhou
Inthy Deuansavan
12:00 - 14:00
Breakthrough Lunch
Visit a popular Luang Prabang eatery on your way to the first breakthrough session. Every track will visit a different small restaurant to give delegates an opportunity to enjoy an... Read More
Breakthrough Sessions
Please register for your preferred session – only select one session in category C. We will try our best to accommodate your preference, but cannot guarantee. We apologise if your preference is not... Read More
Kevin Wallace
Peter Richards
Jason Lusk
Tim Gamper
Charles Blocker
Sonomi Tanaka
Sahil Nair
Dr. Robyn Bushell
Rangsima Deesawade
Willem Niemeijer
Randy Durband
Robert Hecker
Track 1 – Niche Markets: Youth Market (1A) & Adventure Tourism (1B)
Track 1: Niche Markets This track will explore growing market segments, such as youth tourism and adventure tourism, and their relevance to the GMS. Session 1A: Youth Market Facilitator: Sahil... Read More
Phonethavy Thavonsouk
Sahil Nair
Willem Niemeijer
Track 2 – HCD: Talent Development (2A) & Women-led Enterprises (2B)
Track 2: Human Capital Development Attracting, training, and retaining good people is one of the toughest challenges faced by a travel & tourism business anywhere in the world. This is... Read More
Phayvanh Chanthasouk
Joanna Smith
Alichith Phengsavanh
Cho Cho Mar
Kai Marcus Schroeter
Jennifer Smith
Saysavath Chasane
Tim Gamper
Sonomi Tanaka
Yin Myo Su
Track 3 – Experiences: Food Tourism (3A) & Eco- and Wildlife Tourism (3B)
Track 3: Experience Development The 2015-2020 GMS Tourism Marketing Strategy shifted from “Explore Mekong” to “Experience Mekong”. The global traveller today is looking for experiences, such as interacting with communities,... Read More
Sivilay Duangdala
Charly Gomes
Janina Bikova
Sebastien Duffillot
Paul Eshoo
Vincent Vichit-Vadakan
Sinouk Sisombath
Inthy Deuansavan
Track 4 – Culture & Heritage: Intangible Heritage (4A) & Festivals (4B)
Track 4: Culture & Heritage Culture & heritage tourism promotes “travelling to experience the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present”. The... Read More
Vongdavone Vongxayarath
Jacinta Brown
Tara Gujadhur
Siphai Thammavong
Peter Richards
Potjana Suansri
Dr. Robyn Bushell
Gabriel Kuperman
Track 5 – Marketing: Emerging Marketing (5A) & Social Media (5B)
Track 5: Marketing & Sales Promoting products and services has increasingly shifted online. While the channel mix has changed, the fundamentals of marketing remain the same. Understanding markets, demographics, and... Read More
Sergey Kutuzov
Jason Lusk
Gerrit Kruger
Matthew Zatto
Sunny Yu
Track 6 – Responsible Tourism: Community-based Tourism (6A) & Child Protection (6B)
Track 6: Responsible Tourism Responsible tourism requires that everyone with a stake in tourism – operators, hoteliers, governments, locals, and travellers – take responsibility. Responsible tourism is about “making better... Read More
Gabriel Than Hlaing Oo
Jessica Tradati
Mike Haynes
Dr. Nicole Haeusler
Chin Pitak Norathepkitti
Barbara Schott
Rangsima Deesawade
Randy Durband
Track 7 – Connectivity: Aviation (7A) & River Cruise (7B)
Track 7: Carrier Capacity & Connectivity In addition to visa facilitation, transport infrastructure in the GMS has dramatically improved over the past decade – rail, river, road, and air. The... Read More
Joseph Cusmano
Jerome Trichard
Kevin Wallace
Joe Cummings
Luc Citrinot
Track 8 – Sustainable Investment: Hotel Investment (8A) & Green Clean Cities (8B)
Track 8: Sustainable Investment The ASEAN region bucked the trend in 2014, with a 5% increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) while global FDI fell 16%. “Developing Asia”, which includes... Read More
Champa Lattanasouvannaphonh
Derin Henderson
Bounkham (Khoa) Chaleunphol
Andreas Hofmann
Christian de Boer
Marco Julià Eggert
Charles Blocker
Rei Matsuda
Anchalika Kijkanakorn
Stefan Wolf
Victor Pang
Robert Hecker
Eric Ricaurte
18:30 - 21:30
Central Bank
MTF 2017 Gala Dinner
Includes Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism (MIST) Award Ceremony
9:00-9:15
9:15-9:30
Mekong Trends
Get the latest stats and insights relevant to tourism in the Greater Mekong Subregion from global research firm ForwardKeys. ForwardKeys will touch on the year-to-date as well as on-the-book performance... Read More
Jameson Wong
9:30-9:50
MEKONG TOURISM STRATEGY
The session will give a summary of the new GMS Tourism Sector Strategy 2016-2025, and how it connects with the GMS Experience Mekong Tourism Strategy 2015-2020; some of our Mekong... Read More
Jens Thraenhart
10:10-10:40
Mekong Opportunities & Threats
Moderated by esteemed travel writer and Lonely Planet author Joe Cummings. Representatives of the GMS tourism industry give passionate 5-minute pleas about the opportunities and threats represented in the new GMS... Read More
Zhu Jinsheng
Potjana Suansri
Polkrit Thomya (Art)
Rangsima Deesawade
Yin Myo Su
Joe Cummings
Michael Zhou
11:30-11:45
Keynote Speech 3 – Prosper with Purpose
Speaker: Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism & Sports Thailand: Mr. Anan Wongbenjarat In 2018, the Mekong Tourism Forum will be in Thailand. What does the industry has to... Read More
Anan Wongbenjarat
MTF 2018 Announcement & MTF Flag Handover
Lao PDR will handover the MTF Flag to Thailand. Followed by Photo Session
Dr.Soudaphone Khomthavong
Anan Wongbenjarat
Sounh Manivong
Jens Thraenhart
12:00 - 14:00
Breakthrough Lunch
Visit a popular Luang Prabang eatery on your way to the first breakthrough session. Every track will visit a different small restaurant to give delegates an opportunity to enjoy an... Read More
Breakthrough Sessions
Please register for your preferred session – only select one session in category D. We will try our best to accommodate your preference, but cannot guarantee. We apologise if your preference is not... Read More
Kevin Wallace
Peter Richards
Jason Lusk
Tim Gamper
Charles Blocker
Sonomi Tanaka
Sahil Nair
Dr. Robyn Bushell
Rangsima Deesawade
Willem Niemeijer
Randy Durband
Robert Hecker
Track 1 – Niche Markets: Youth Market (1A) & Adventure Tourism (1B)
Track 1: Niche Markets This track will explore growing market segments, such as youth tourism and adventure tourism, and their relevance to the GMS. Session 1A: Youth Market Facilitator: Sahil... Read More
Phonethavy Thavonsouk
Sahil Nair
Willem Niemeijer
Track 2 – HCD: Talent Development (2A) & Women-led Enterprises (2B)
Track 2: Human Capital Development Attracting, training, and retaining good people is one of the toughest challenges faced by a travel & tourism business anywhere in the world. This is... Read More
Phayvanh Chanthasouk
Joanna Smith
Alichith Phengsavanh
Cho Cho Mar
Kai Marcus Schroeter
Jennifer Smith
Saysavath Chasane
Tim Gamper
Sonomi Tanaka
Yin Myo Su
Track 3 – Experiences: Food Tourism (3A) & Eco- and Wildlife Tourism (3B)
Track 3: Experience Development The 2015-2020 GMS Tourism Marketing Strategy shifted from “Explore Mekong” to “Experience Mekong”. The global traveller today is looking for experiences, such as interacting with communities,... Read More
Sivilay Duangdala
Charly Gomes
Janina Bikova
Sebastien Duffillot
Paul Eshoo
Vincent Vichit-Vadakan
Sinouk Sisombath
Inthy Deuansavan
Track 4 – Culture & Heritage: Intangible Heritage (4A) & Festivals (4B)
Track 4: Culture & Heritage Culture & heritage tourism promotes “travelling to experience the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present”. The... Read More
Vongdavone Vongxayarath
Jacinta Brown
Tara Gujadhur
Siphai Thammavong
Peter Richards
Potjana Suansri
Dr. Robyn Bushell
Gabriel Kuperman
Track 5 – Marketing: Emerging Marketing (5A) & Social Media (5B)
Track 5: Marketing & Sales Promoting products and services has increasingly shifted online. While the channel mix has changed, the fundamentals of marketing remain the same. Understanding markets, demographics, and... Read More
Sergey Kutuzov
Jason Lusk
Gerrit Kruger
Matthew Zatto
Sunny Yu
Track 6 – Responsible Tourism: Community-based Tourism (6A) & Child Protection (6B)
Track 6: Responsible Tourism Responsible tourism requires that everyone with a stake in tourism – operators, hoteliers, governments, locals, and travellers – take responsibility. Responsible tourism is about “making better... Read More
Gabriel Than Hlaing Oo
Jessica Tradati
Mike Haynes
Dr. Nicole Haeusler
Chin Pitak Norathepkitti
Barbara Schott
Rangsima Deesawade
Randy Durband
Track 7 – Connectivity: Aviation (7A) & River Cruise (7B)
Track 7: Carrier Capacity & Connectivity In addition to visa facilitation, transport infrastructure in the GMS has dramatically improved over the past decade – rail, river, road, and air. The... Read More
Joseph Cusmano
Jerome Trichard
Kevin Wallace
Luc Citrinot
Track 8 – Sustainable Investment: Hotel Investment (8A) & Green Clean Cities (8B)
Track 8: Sustainable Investment The ASEAN region bucked the trend in 2014, with a 5% increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) while global FDI fell 16%. “Developing Asia”, which includes... Read More
Champa Lattanasouvannaphonh
Derin Henderson
Bounkham (Khoa) Chaleunphol
Andreas Hofmann
Christian de Boer
Marco Julià Eggert
Charles Blocker
Rei Matsuda
Anchalika Kijkanakorn
Stefan Wolf
Victor Pang
Robert Hecker
Eric Ricaurte
18:30 - 21:30
Grand Hotel Luang Prabang
MTF 2017 Food Festival
The final evening of MTF 2017. Enjoy local food in a magic location at the Mekong River. Share your Mekong Moments with old and new friends. Venue: Grand Hotel Luang Prabang... Read More
8:00-18:00
MTF 2017 Post Tours
Please visit MTF 2017 Post Tours for more information and to register.
Location
Luang Prabang, Lao PDR
MTF 2017 IN LUANG PRABANG: A UNIQUE FORMAT FOR A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
The Mekong Tourism Forum is taking off from tomorrow in Luang Prabang in Laos. This edition introduces a new concept which is matching and blending... Read More
Mekong Tourism Forum successfully showcases industry collaboration in new decentralised conference model
Luang Prabang, Lao PDR – June 19, 2017: Nearly 400 travel and tourism industry professionals exchanged lessons and experiences to promote competitive, inclusive, and sustainable... Read More
