Pha Daeng peak viewpoint is one of the most interesting attractions in Luang Prabang province.    --Photo Mekong Tourism

Mekong countries mull ways to promote tourism 

Private and public sector leaders from across the Greater Mekong Subregion will assess how to rebuild tourism following the Covid pandemic, under the slogan “Rebuild Tourism, Rebound with Resilience”.
Twenty-five speakers from the six Greater Mekong Subregion countries will attend the Mekong Tourism Forum from October 12-13 in Quang Nam, central Vietnam.
The forum will host a Sustainable Tourism Exhibition comprising 18 booths showcasing sustainable tourism, community-based tourism and local community products. The exhibition will run from October 10 to 12.
Forum organisers are ensuring that both private and public sector voices will be well represented.
Panelists will make recommendations on three focus areas: social enterprises, new ways of connecting sustainable tourism suppliers and buyers, and use of technology.
Representatives of the state and business sectors in Laos will attend the forum, where they will display travel products and local community products at the exhibition.
A speaker at the forum, a director at EXO Travel Laos, Ms Duangmala Phommavong, said “I’m glad to have the chance to be a speaker representing social enterprises. I will try to publicise Laos’ outstanding attractions under the theme ‘Laos simply beautiful’,”.
“It will be a good opportunity to share information and experiences with experts and professionals from other countries, so that we can improve tourism in Laos,” she said.  
From the public sector, there will be contributions from leaders and senior executives of the Asian Development Bank, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, and the Asean Tourism Association.
The forum provides a cooperative platform for travel and tourism stakeholders to discuss regional tourism development, along with the marketing and promotion of travel to, from, and within the Greater Mekong Subregion.
It presents an inclusive, interactive and results-oriented opportunity to encourage public- and private-sector participation in promoting the region as a single destination.
First held in 1996, the Mekong Tourism Forum is an annual government-led event dedicated to the tourism industry in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update October 4, 2022)