Mekong Tourism Forum 2011
“Destination Mekong – The Making of a Star”
27-28 May 2011
Champasak Grand Hotel
Pakse, Champasak Province, Lao PDR
Thursday, 26 May 2011 |
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| 14.00 – 21.00 | MTF2011 pre-registration at Champasak Grand Hotel |
Day 1 – Friday, 27 May 2011 |
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| 08.00 onwards | Registration |
| 08.45 – 09.00 | Opening Remarks |
| 09.00 – 09.10 | Welcoming Speech |
| 09.10 – 09.30 | Keynote Speech: Destination Mekong: The Making of Star Hear about the “Star Model” components and learn from case studies how famed international travel brands have appeared on the global tourism map by positioning themselves and leveraging stardom in a disciplined and creative way. |
| 09.30 – 09.45 | 15 Minutes of Fame: Cambodia |
| 09.45 – 10.30 | Networking Break & Tour of the Mekong Travel Fair |
| 10.30 – 11.30 | Guide Books, Social Media, and Mobile Apps…Navigating the Travel Media Jungle Tweeting, Blogging, and Social Networking – what does it mean for hotels, destinations, and operators? A guide for how to leverage emerging technologies and online channels to position the Mekong Region as a global icon and market to tourists to increase revenues for local tourism operators. This session will feature industry experts, guest bloggers and journalists to discuss trends and obstacles. |
| 11.30 – 12.30 | Impressions from the Roads to Pakse: Overland Journeys in the Mekong Region What are the pros, cons, challenges and opportunities for the Greater Mekong as a competitive global tourist destination? Hear first-hand experiences from MTF attendees from around the world that have traveled by road to Pakse from Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and further afield for the Forum. Learn what should be promoted and what should be improved upon in making the GMS a star destination. |
| 12.30 – 13.40 | Lunch |
| 13.40 – 14.00 | Protecting the Future Stars of the Mekong Interaction with locals is one of the highlights to an authentic travel experience, and the friendly people of the Mekong are one of the most important assets for making the GMS a tourism superstar. In this context we mustn’t forget the importance of protecting children that are endangered by child sex tourism, trafficking, and other negative social impacts. In this session we’ll learn about the work of Friends-International, an organization that has developed a series of regional programs working with marginalized children and youth to help them build better futures. From school reintegration to restaurant vocational training, the programs represent the best side of the Mekong Region. |
| 14.00 – 15.00 | The Mekong Discovery Trail: A Case Study for Tourism Private and Public Sector Participation for a New Emerging Destination Phase IV of the Mekong Discovery Trail is an excellent example of a tourism project in which the government – The Royal Government of Cambodia (Ministry of Tourism) – is working with a range of aid donors to foster sustainable development in a less developed region and where commercial engagement of the private sector becomes a priority since the beginning of the project to ensure its commercial viability. Find out how cooperation between the development partners and the private and public sectors is making it possible for tourists to discover, explore and enjoy a new destination…responsibly. |
| 15.00 – 15.30 | Networking Break |
| 15.30 – 16.30 | Exploring Thematic Routes…Unique GMS Travel Circuits that Inspire! Open your mind by developing purpose-based, multi-country travel experiences around the GMS. Today’s thematic travel routes range from heritage and cultural pursuits to natural wonders and ancient trade routes. Hear about some of the latest trends that encourage new product ideas and can help put the Mekong region onto the world map. |
| 16.30 – 16.45 | 15 Minutes of Fame: China |
| 16.45 – 17.30 | Wild Wild East: What’s Cooking with Bobby Chinn? Hear about the rise to stardom of Bobby Chinn, one of Asia’s most celebrated chefs. From his signature restaurant in Hanoi to his wildly popular television cooking shows, Bobby has become a star in his own right by incorporating the crucial gears of investment, connections, talent, personality, and marketing.Later the same evening he will take part at a local food fair where guests can enjoy an exclusive cooking demonstration with Bobby teaming up with fellow culinary talents from around the GMS to blends the real tastes of the Mekong with the creativity of a celebrity chef. |
| 19.00 – 21.00 | Local Food Festival Experience the tastes of Lao cuisine at a lively local food festival, hosted by the Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA). |
Day 2 – Saturday, 28 May 2011 |
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| 06.00 – 08.00 | Mekong Mini-Marathon Join the crowd and enjoy an early morning 5km fun run along the Mekong River…all participants will receive a souvenir t-shirt just for taking part! |
| 09.00 – 10.00 | The Importance of Real-time Data in Strategic Decision-making: an Introduction to Technology Tools that Can Change Your Business Real-time intelligence, customizable by source market and customer segments, can transform your decision-making process for your tourism business. Learn how the latest technology tools can help tourism operators and destinations be more strategic, and as a result make the Mekong region a tourism star. |
| 10.00 – 10.15 | 15 Minutes of Fame: Laos |
| 10.15 – 10.45 | Networking Break |
| 10.45 – 11.45 | From the Source: Being Culturally Relevant, and Responsible, when Marketing to Different Countries Soba noodles or croissants for breakfast? Hot or cold water with your meal? Sometimes we forget how different source markets have different needs, look for different experiences, and require customized communication. Hear from experts that intimately know the main international source markets for the Mekong, from Europe, Korea, China, Japan, etc. Learn how develop your products, services, and marketing strategy accordingly in order to position the Mekong as a responsible tourism champion in key source markets…regardless of the choice of water temperature. |
| 11.45 – 12.00 | 15 Minutes of Fame: Myanmar |
| 12.00 – 13.15 | Lunch |
| 13.15 – 13.30 | 15 Minutes of Fame: Thailand |
| 13.30 – 14.30 | Creating the Experience…the Importance of Service in the Making of a Star The saying “A smile can heal all wounds” is never so powerful as in tourism. Creating a true service culture, via training and skills development, makes tourists from all over the world feel welcome with warmth and sincerity. This is a cornerstone of any successful tourism destination. Learn how important focusing on developing compassionate service is in increasing revenues, and making the Mekong region shine. |
| 14.30 – 15.30 | Networking Break |
| 15.30 – 16.30 | Telling the Story: Developing and Encouraging Brand Ambassadors as a Powerful Marketing Machine People have been telling stories around the fireplace for thousands of years. Learn how important story telling is today, especially in the digital age of social media, to position the Mekong region as a tourism star. Hear from experts how to manage your communication channels, how to spread your stories, and how to leverage story telling to increase revenues via word of mouth. |
| 16.30 – 17.00 | MTF2011 Wrap Up |
| 19.00 – 21.00 | Farewell Dinner |
Sunday, 29 May 2011 |
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| Complimentary Post Forum Tours (open to all MTF delegates) Option I : Half day tour to Vat Phou World Heritage temple complex and Champasak Town Option II : Full day tour to Khone Phapheng Waterfall – elephant riding at Kiat Ngong Option III : Full day tour to Phasuam Waterfall – Sinouk Coffee Resort – That Fan Waterfall |
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