Category: International Event

2016 Mekong Tourism Forum to be held on Sokha Beach, July 5-7, 2016 Bangkok – May 30th, 2016: The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office has confirmed a compelling list of speakers for the 2016 Mekong Tourism Forum to address its theme, “Authentic Experiences in the Mekong Region". The forum takes place in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, July 5-7, 2016, and is hosted by the Cambodia Ministry of Tourism. Tourism ministers, director generals, travel industry CEOs, and leading private sector and development minds will address current and future challenges and opportunities facing tourism in the Mekong region. One of the highlights will be the Mekong Tourism Open Forum, led by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which invites the travel and tourism industry to brainstorm on the next 10-year GMS Tourism Sector Strategy. A lot has changed in the past ten years including the opening of Myanmar as a thriving tourism destination, increased air and land connectivity, as well as the internet, social media, mobile, and the sharing economy driving a changing consumer landscape. “This year’s theme is focusing on authentic experiences in a time where consumers are looking to connect with local communities, go off the beaten path to get away from mass tourist attractions, “said Mr. Tith Chanta, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism Cambodia, will define and direct the debates at the forum. Opportunities and threats will be analyzed against a backdrop of growth. “Tourism demand for Mekong region destinations is storming ahead,” said Mr. Jens Thraenhart, Executive Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office in Bangkok. “We need to work together to make sure development is fair and sustainable and that we remove obstacles to growth and poverty alleviation.” The 2016 Mekong Tourism Forum will be hosted by the Cambodia Ministry of Tourism (MoT) at the Sokha Beach Resort