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Innovators of Mekong tourism will convene in Pakse, Champasak Province, southern Laos, on the Mekong River, May 27-28 to share insights and business leads on the region’s emerging destinations
BANGKOK, 22 March 2011 – The 2011 edition of the Mekong Tourism Forum will take place in the emerging destination of Pakse, southern Laos, 27-28 May. Under the theme, “Destination Mekong: The Making of a Star,” the leading tourism event for the Mekong region will showcase emerging destinations and trends in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS).
“The Forum is the event of the year for travel industry professional dedicated to putting the GMS on the global travel map as a single destination,” said Mason Florence, executive director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office in Bangkok. “Tourism leaders from the public and private sectors and regional development partners realize that the Forum is the ideal place for travel industry people who are serious about exploring the region’s cross-border potential.”
As part of Forum there will be a Mekong Travel Fair with 80 booths, a Lao Food Festival, a special
session on social media for the travel industry, a mini marathon and three complementary post-Forum
tours. The event is being hosted by the Lao National Tourism Administration. Online registrations for the
Forum are now open at www.mekongtourismforum.org.
A special Early Bird registration fee of just US$200 applies up to 30 April. From 1 May the full fee of US$300 will be charged. The registration fee includes admission to the two-day conference sessions, proceedings, refreshment breaks, luncheons, dinners and receptions as indicated in the official programme.
“The Mekong Tourism Forum provides great inspiration to companies seeking to innovate and grow across the Greater Mekong Region,” said Willem Niemeijer, CEO and co-founder of Khiri Group. “Last year the Forum proved to be a great source of synergy between grass roots operators, multi-national hotel chains, destination management companies, NGOs, government bodies and the media. I have the same high expectations of this year’s Forum in the emerging destination of Pakse.”
Attendees, from travel companies to NGOs and handicraft sellers can also take a booth at the Forum’s Mekong Travel Fair in the same venue, the Champasak Grand Hotel. Booths cost just US$200 for both days, which includes two exhibitor badges for the Mekong Travel Fair (not the Forum).
The Champasak Grand Hotel is offering a special rate of US$39 per room (single or double), including breakfast and free internet connectivity for MTF attendees who book here.
For further information email to: mtf@mekongtourism.org or call the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office. Tel: (+66) 2-612-4150.
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About the Mekong Tourism Forum
The Mekong Tourism Forum provides a cooperative platform for stakeholders in the tourism industry to discuss the development, marketing and promotion of travel to, from and within the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). It is an inclusive, interactive and results-oriented opportunity aiming to encourage public and private sector participants to work together to represent the GMS as a single destination.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) organized the first Mekong Tourism Forum in 1996 and led it for 10 consecutive years. The hosting of this influential annual event rotated among destinations within the GMS until 2005, and in the years following private sector initiated events continued to work towards the Forum’s goals. The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office successfully revived the Forum in 2010.
About the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) is an intergovernmental body uniting the national tourism organizations (NTOs) of the six–nation Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). It is tasked with fostering the sustainable development and promotion of travel within the region, and marketing the GMS as a single destination under the ‘Mekong Tourism’ brand. Visit www.MekongTourism.org.
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO)
5th Floor, Office of Tourism Development,
Ministry of Tourism and Sports, 154 Rama 1 Rd.,
National Stadium, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 2612 4150-1, +66 2612 4153
Fax: +66 2612 4152
Email: mtf@mekongtourism.org
Media queries
Ken Scott
ScottAsia Communications
(Media relations on behalf of Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office)
Email: ken@scottasia.net
Mobile: (+66) 81 931 2753
