Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism join GMS and ADB representatives at the opening of the 2025 Mekong Tourism Forum.   --Photo Thanouthong

Mekong Tourism Forum ignites new era with launch of GMS Strategy 2030
 
The 2025 Mekong Tourism Forum kicked off in Luang Prabang City on Thursday, with the highlight being the introduction of the forward-looking GMS Tourism Strategy for 2026-2030.
This is a comprehensive blueprint designed to steer the region’s burgeoning tourism sector towards a future defined by sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity.
The launch of this strategy signifies a deep commitment from the six GMS nations – China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam – to a “United Journey, Stronger Together”.
More than just a catchy theme, it encapsulates the spirit of collaboration crucial for leveraging the Mekong’s rich cultural tapestry and breathtaking natural landscapes responsibly.
The forum’s opening address, delivered by Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ms Darany Phommavongsa, underscored the critical alignment of the forum with the broader GMS Sustainable Tourism Strategy to 2030.
Ms Darany highlighted the Mekong Subregion’s impressive bounce back from the Covid pandemic. 
Globally, the number of international tourist arrivals surged to 1.4 billion in 2023, with the Mekong Subregion mirroring this positive trend by welcoming over 86 million foreign tourists that year.
“Domestic tourism also remains a vital engine for recovery,” Ms Darany said, emphasising its significant contribution of more than 9.5 million visits and approximately US$158 billion in tourism receipts across the subregion. 
The sector currently supports over 20 million direct and indirect jobs, she noted. Looking ahead, the region has ambitious targets, aiming to generate over US$200 billion in annual tourism revenue by 2030.
Laos, in particular, has demonstrated remarkable resilience in its tourism sector. In 2024, the country welcomed over 4 million foreign visitors, generating more than US$1.42 billion in foreign exchange earnings. Domestic tourism also performed strongly, with nearly 4 million trips contributing an additional US$633 million to the national economy.
 The Deputy Minister also reiterated tourism’s importance for the success of Laos’ current National Socio-Economic Development Plan.
The Deputy Governor of Luang Prabang province, Mr Bounlueam Manivong, shared impressive figures around Luang Prabang’s tourism performance in the first five months of 2025.
He noted that the province received 1,740,073 visitors, a 129.44 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This included 685,377 domestic tourists (up 151 percent) and 1,054,697 foreign tourists (up 117.31 percent), with tourist spending reaching US$1.177 billion. 
Notably, visits by citizens of the Greater Mekong Subregion countries surged by 139 percent, reaching 587,149 arrivals.
The forum’s agenda includes high-level meetings, thematic sessions on culinary tourism, agri-tourism, cultural heritage, and ecotourism, and the official launch of the GMS Tourism Strategy 2030.
Discussions, along with business-to-business consultations and site visits, aim to foster practical insights and strengthen collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders.
The 2025 Mekong Tourism Forum marks a pivotal moment for regional tourism, reaffirming shared priorities and renewing cooperation to unlock the full potential of the Mekong’s diverse heritage.

By Keoxomphou Sakdavong
 (Latest Update June 27, 2025)