MTF 2018 will introduce the theme “Transforming Travel –Transforming Lives”
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION MTF 2018 will introduce the theme “Transforming Travel –Transforming Lives” Annual Tourism Forum to be hosted... Read More
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) is administered out of the offices of the Department of Tourism of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, based in Bangkok, and was established with funding from the six governments of Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand, which represent the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). A common goal of both of public and private sectors in all countries is to create sustainable tourism profit. This is achieved optimally by increasing inbound tourism yield, by developing quality products that tourists are willing to buy, and inciting longer stays with enhanced motivation to revisit. Thus, GMS’s strategy is to “develop and promote the Mekong Region as a single tourism destination. In 2016 the GMS welcomed 59.8 million international tourist arrivals, representing a 3% share of the global market. The MTCO, via Destination Mekong, aims to collaborate with public and private sectors to execute programs, such as Mekong Moments, the Mekong Mini Movie Festival, the Experience Mekong Collection, Mekong Trends, and the Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST) program.
Learn MoreMekong Tourism Forum: The GMS must-attend Conference
The Mekong Tourism Forum provides a cooperative platform for public and private sector stakeholders in the tourism industry to discuss the development, marketing and promotion of travel to, from and within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), and monitor sustainable and responsible tourism growth. The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) has revived the forum in 2010 taking place in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with the theme of “New Roads, New Opportunities”. Followed by MTF 2011 “Destination Mekong: The Making of a Star” in Pakse, Laos, MTF 2012 in Chiang Rai, Thailand with the theme of “20/20 Vision: Building on Two Decades of GMS Cooperation”, MTF 2013 in Guilin, China with the theme ““The Rise of the Chinese traveller: Optimizing the impacts for the GMS”, MTF 2014 in Mandalay, Myanmar with the theme “Tourism investment for the protection of Heritage and Culture”, MTF 2015 in Da Nang, Viet Nam with the theme “Unlocking the GMS via Innovative Partnerships”,and MTF 2016 in Sihanoukville, Cambodia with the theme “Authentic Experiences along the Mekong River.”. MTF 2017 in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, we focused on the theme “Prosper with Purpose”.
Learn MoreDon't Miss MTF 2018
Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism & Sports of Thailand (MoTS) in Nakhon Phanom at the Mekong River bordering to Laos from June 26-29, will focus on the trend of transformational travel with the theme “Transforming Travel – Transforming Lives”. After inspiring keynotes in the morning, MTF2018 will feature eight topical tracks each in ethnic villages all around Nakhon Phanom. The day prior, we will host the second MIST (Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism) Travel Startup Conference, in partnership with Destination Mekong and the Mekong Business Initiative, supported by ADB, MTCO, and the Australian Government, to support local travel and tourism startups. For the first year, we will feature the Mekong Mini Movie Festival, including the “Film & Destination Marketing Conference”, as well as Film Screening and Awards Ceremony. Optional post-MTF technical tours allow to explore the area around Nakhon Phanom. Don’t miss this year’s Mekong Tourism Forum, a plastic-free event, which is taking delegates into ethnic villages for an immersive and transformational experience. MTF 2019 will be hosted in Yunnan, PR China. Please download the Program at: http://bit.ly/MTF18-DelegateHandbook
Learn MoreSpeakers
Joe Cummings
Lonely Planet Author & Editor at Large - Talisman MediaJames Sutherland
International Communications Coordinator - Friends InternationalLuc Citrinot
Managing Editor - ASEAN.travel
Day 1
26 Jun 2018
Day 2
27 Jun 2018
Day 3
28 Jun 2018
Day 4
29 Jun 2018
8:30
Nakhon Phanom University
9:00 - 11:30
Nakhon Phanom University - Rama Raj Room
Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism (MIST) – Travel Startup Conference
This session proves why MIST is unique among travel startup accelerator programs: the connection between startups and travel and tourism organizations for mutual benefit to build a sustainable and responsible... Read More
Victor Chua
Jason Richards
Alberto Moreno
Jason Lusk
Gerrit Kruger
Clement Wong
Working with influential Content Creators
Matt Gibson, Outbound President of the Professional Travel Blogger Association (PTBA) reveals some tips and tricks how to develop mutual beneficial relationships with travel bloggers. MTF 2018 includes a Bloggers... Read More
Matt Gibson
12:00-13:30
Nakhon Phanom University
13:30-18:00
NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - SRIKOTRABOON CONFERENCE CENTER (3RD FLOOR)
Mekong Mini Movie Festival – 1st Asia Film & Destination Conference
Film has inspired millions to visit destinations. Learn from experts about the power of movie productions to user-generated videos and how they can be integrated into destination marketing.
Deepak Ohri
Gopinath Parayil
Titiporn Manenate
Sirinart Theenanondh
Worateera Suvarnsorn
Pongpanu Svetarundra
Rob Holmes
Vincent Sung
Gerrit Kruger
Polkrit Thomya (Art)
Joe Cummings
Jens Thraenhart
18:00-18:30
Nakhon Phanom University - Srikotraboon Conference Center (3rd Floor)
Mekong Mini Movie Festival – Film Screening
Get inspired by the finalist mini movies in the first Mekong Mini Movie Festival, and vote for your favourite nomination per country to determine the country winners. Be part of... Read More
Teak Seng
Pongpanu Svetarundra
Jens Thraenhart
19:00-21:00
Blu Hotel Nakhon Phanom
Mekong Mini Movie Festival – Cocktail Reception
Hollywood comes to the Mekong Region. Walk down the Red Carpet, get photographed, mingle with regional film makers and tourism celebrities. Build a bridge between film and tourism. Celebrate tourism... Read More
9:00-12:00
Nakhon Phanom University - RAMA RAJ ROOM
Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST) – Travel Startup Pitches
Witness the MIST Showcase, where some of the most promising travel and hospitality startups will share their innovations with the Mekong tourism industry. 9:00 Welcome and Opening Remarks Jens Thraenhart,... Read More
Jason Lusk
Gerrit Kruger
Steven Schipani
Jens Thraenhart
12:00-13:30
Nakhon Phanom University
13:30-15:30
Nakhon Phanom University - SRIKOTRABOON CONFERENCE CENTER (3RD FLOOR)
Mekong Tourism Forum – Official Opening Ceremony
The Mekong Tourism Forum 2018 Official Opening Ceremony, presided by the Vice Minister of Tourism & Sports of Thailand and the Governor of Nakhon Phanom Province will celebrate successful tourism... Read More
Itthiphol Kunplome
Somchai Vitdamrong
Steven Schipani
Jens Thraenhart
15:30-16:00
NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY
15:30-16:00
NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - NAGA RAJ ROOM
Press Conference
Itthiphol Kunplome
Somchai Vitdamrong
Steven Schipani
Jens Thraenhart
16:00-18:30
Nakhon Phanom University - Srikotraboon Conference Center (3rd Floor)
Mekong Tourism Forum – Transforming Travel
On Wednesday afternoon, discussions ranging from Buddhist Tourism to Responsible Tourism focus on the potential of transforming travel and people’s lives.
Dr. Kanokrot Phalakornkul
Phitsamai Sipaza
Lim Kooi Fong
Pai-Somsak Boonkam
Momoko Ikeuchi
Somchai Vitdamrong
Malraj Kiriella
Dr. Walanchalee Wattanacharoensil
Dr. Jutamas Wisansing
Jeremy Smith
Zhu Jinsheng
Imtiaz Muqbil
Yin Myo Su
James Sutherland
Jens Thraenhart
Mekong Tourism Forum – Gala Awards Dinner
The Mekong Tourism Forum 2018 Gala Dinner will follow the Opening Ceremony with local delicacies, traditional performances, and the unveiling of the MIST 2018 Winners, as well as the Experience... Read More
Itthiphol Kunplome
8:30-12:00
NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - SRIKOTRABOON CONFERENCE CENTER (3RD FLOOR)
Mekong Tourism Forum – Plenary Keynote Sessions
Mekong Tourism Forum 2018, focused on the theme “Transforming Travel – Transforming Lives” will bring together inspiring speakers from various sectors of the industry to tackle the topic from different sides. Open your eyes and minds how travel is being transformed in these very exciting times.
Fang Limin
Gili Back
Somchai Vitdamrong
Mich Goh
Jeremy Smith
Yin Myo Su
12:00-17:00
Ethic Villages in Nakhon Phanom
Mekong Tourism Forum – Village Experience
The Mekong Tourism Village Experience is living the theme of “Transforming Travel – Transforming Lives” by being the first conference to stage actual conference session in ethnic community-based villages, and... Read More
Neeracha Wongmasa
Nick Day
Arrut Navaraj
Matt Gibson
Erina Loo
Dr. Jutamas Wisansing
Vincent Vichit-Vadakan
Luc Citrinot
18:00-21:00
Fortune Riverside Hotel Nakhon Phanom
Mekong Tourism Forum – Farewell Food Festival
The Mekong Tourism Forum 2018 Food Festival will bring together Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese food, and enough material for engaging conversations, with delegates wearing their villages shirts. Local restaurants will... Read More
8:00-18:00
Nakhon Phanom
Mekong Tourism Forum – Technical Post Tours
Range of half-day to multi-day post-MTF technical tours to experience Nakhon Phanom’s unique tourism offerings. For a list of available MTF 2018 Post Tours please visit: http://blog.mekongtourismforum.org/index.php/post-tours/
Mekong Tourism Advisory Group – MeTAG Meeting
The Mekong Tourism Advisory Group is open to active and passionate travel and tourism professionals from public and private sectors, active in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The agenda of the... Read More
Jens Thraenhart
Location
Nakhon Phanom, Thailand
MTF 2018 Web Banners
Feel free to use the web banners below to promote your participation in, involvement with, or sponsorship of Mekong Tourism Forum 2018, “Transforming Travel –... Read More
CAN EMERGING DESTINATIONS REALLY HANDLE BIG EVENTS?
Destination Case Study on the 2017 Mekong Tourism Forum in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR By Gerardine Donough-Tan The exotic allure of emerging markets such as... Read More
