Mekong Tourism Forum will attract players from various nations in the region
With the theme of “Visionary Journeys Redefining Tomorrow’s Travel,” the Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) 2024, an annual travel trade fair to create awareness about tourism in Greater Mekong Subregion, will commence on April 23 in Lijiang in China.
In a press statement, the organisers have invited travel professionals and stakeholders from the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) to engage in a collaborative platform dedicated to reshaping the future of GMS tourism.
Greater Mekong Subregion is an international grouping of countries that lie in the Mekong River Basin area, that includes six countries, including China, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar. The subregion stretches over 2.2 million sqkm and is home to over 300 million people.
The statement adds that this year’s forum will emphasise collaboration, innovation, and forward-thinking strategies. The aim is to inspire delegates to explore new forms of tourism that deliver economic benefits, environmental consciousness and cultural enrichment.
Set against the backdrop of the scenic city of Lijiang, China, the Mekong Tourism Forum will take place from April 23-25, 2024.
The MTF2024 is expected to welcome 200 tourism professionals and stakeholders, comprising tourism Ministers, leaders, NTOs, NGOs, and private sector representatives. All of them will explore ways to harness the potential of the tourism sector, driving positive transformation and creating opportunities across the region.
A key highlight, the keynote speech entitled, ‘Visionary Journeys Redefining Tomorrow’s Travel’, will offer a glimpse into the future of GMS travel, spotlighting the shift towards sustainable and conscious tourism in a post-pandemic era.
A panel session on ‘Unleashing Potential: Enhancing International Cooperation to Propel Tourism Growth’, will address strategies for strengthening cooperation. The aim is to foster a unified, prosperous, and responsible future for GMS tourism.
The statement adds that the delegates attending the event will get a chance to join a field study, an on-site exploration of Lijiang’s Old Town, and see an exhibition at the museum showcasing Lijiang’s cultural heritage.
MTF2024 is hosted by the Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, Yunnan Provincial Culture and Tourism Department, the People’s Government of Lijiang City, and the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO). It is co-organised by Lijiang Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism and Network International Culturalink Entities.
‘‘MTF 2024’s theme, ‘Visionary Journeys Redefining Tomorrow’s Travel’, highlights the importance of cultural integration and international cooperation in shaping the future of GMS tourism. We invite stakeholders to join us in Lijiang to create a more connected, responsible and productive tourism sector,” says Suvimol ‘Dee’ Thanasarakij, Executive Director of the MTCO.
