MTF dates move again
The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office confirmed on Saturday it was moving the annual Mekong Tourism Forum dates to 25 to 26 August 2020. Myanmar will...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, Viet Nam, 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, with the theme “Prosper with Purpose”, MTF 2018 in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand with the theme “Transforming Travel – Transforming Lives”, and MTF 2019 in Dali, Yunnan, P.R.China with the theme “Tourism – a driver for cultural heritage preservation and poverty alleviation”.
Learn MoreDon't Miss MTF 2020
Hosted by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, Myanmar, in collaboration with the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, in the latest UNESCO world heritage town Bagan from August 25-26, the 2020 MTF will focus on the theme of “Achieving Balanced Tourism” which is highly relevant in today’s world where mismanagement of destinations has led to over-crowding which in return has resulted in an imbalance of the destination’s ecosystem to have a harmonious and inclusive relationship between tourists and residents, and to protect and preserve the cultural and environmental assets.
MTF 2020 will feature five parts: After the “Village Experience” bringing delegates to visit local businesses and sites around Bagan for interactive sessions relevant to the theme of “Balanced Tourism”, and the “MTF 2020 Gala Dinner & Awards” during the afternoon and evening of August 25, the “MTF 2020 Official Opening” followed by the “MTF 2020 Plenary” will feature engaging keynotes and panel sessions will stimulate discussions. MTF 2020 will end with the traditional Mekong Food Festival, allowing delegates to sample delicious local cuisine and interact with local artisans showcasing their handicrafts.
Learn MoreSpeakers
Steven Schipani
Senior Portfolio Management Specialist - Asian Development Bank (ADB)Jens Thraenhart
Executive Director - Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO)
Day 1
25 Aug 2020
Day 2
26 Aug 2020
8:00 - 18:00
Aye Yar River Hotel
Registration & Mekong Marketplace
The Mekong Marketplace will allow local businesses and artisans, as well as responsible travel businesses and social enterprises of the Experience Mekong Collection, alumni of the Mekong Innovative Startups in...Read More
9:30 - 12:00
Aye Yar Riverside Hotel
Film Screening: Mekong 20/30
Unique Film Screening of Mekong 20/30 – with background information and question and answer session by the producer. The Making of MEKONG 2030 from Luang Prabang Film Festival on...Read More
12:00 - 14:00
14:00 - 17:00
Bagan, Myanmar
Experience Sessions at Local Venues around Bagan
Experience Sessions at Local Venues around Bagan Sanon Training Restaurant Bagan Visitor Information Center Irrawaddy River Cruise Lacquerware Factory Toddy (Palm Sugar) Nanda Restaurant Integrated with sight-seeing of key attractions.
19:00 - 22:00
Aureum Palace Hotel
MTF 2020 Gala Dinner
Featuring the Announcement of the 2020 Experience Mekong Showcases.
8:00 - 9:00
Aye Yar River Hotel
Registration & Mekong Marketplace
The Mekong Marketplace will allow local businesses and artisans, as well as responsible travel businesses and social enterprises of the Experience Mekong Collection, alumni of the Mekong Innovative Startups in...Read More
9:00 - 10:30
Aye Yar River Hotel
Official MTF 2020 Opening
Tentative Opening Remarks by Officials from the following organizations: Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Provincial Government of Bagan Ministry of Hotels and Tourism of Myanmar World...Read More
10:30 - 11:00
Aye Yar River Hotel
Mekong Tourism Townhall & Networking Break
Mekong Tourism Townhall with officials from the following organizations: Ministry of Hotels and Tourism of Myanmar Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) Asian Development Bank (ADB) Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
11:00 - 11:30
Aye Yar River Hotel
Keynote: Achieving Balanced Tourism
Speaker: TBA
11:30 - 11:45
Aye Yar River Hotel
11:45 - 11:55
Aye Yar River Hotel
11:55 - 12:15
Aye Yar River Hotel
12:15 - 12:30
Aye Yar River Hotel
12:30 - 14:00
Aye Yar River Hotel
14:00 - 14:20
Aye Yar River Hotel
14:20 - 14:30
Aye Yar River Hotel
14:30 - 14:40
Aye Yar River Hotel
14:40 - 15:00
Aye Yar River Hotel
15:00 - 15:30
Aye Yar River Hotel
15:30 - 16:00
Aye Yar River Hotel
16:00 - 16:15
Aye Yar River Hotel
16:15 - 16:40
Aye Yar River Hotel
Panel: The role of social enterprises in achieving Balanced Tourism
The role of social enterprises creating impact through innovation. The Experience Mekong Collection curates responsible travel businesses and social enterprises, and the MIST startup program has added a social impact...Read More
16:40 - 16:55
Achieving Balanced Tourism via Community-based Tourism
Engaging tour operators in community-based tourism: Lessons from the ITC Myanmar Inclusive Tourism Project in Kayah and Tanintharyi.
17:05 - 17:15
Aye Yar River Hotel
17:15 - 17:35
Aye Yar River Hotel
17:35 - 17:50
Aye Yar River Hotel
17:50 - 18:00
Aye Yar River Hotel
19:30 - 22:00
Aureum Palace Hotel
Mekong Food Festival
MTF 2020 will end with the traditional Mekong Food Festival, allowing delegates to sample delicious local cuisine and interact with local artisans showcasing their handicrafts. For the first time, the Mekong...Read More
Location
Bagan, Myanmar
Postponement of the Mekong Tourism Forum 2020 in Bagan, Myanmar
The 2020 Mekong Tourism Forum and the 45th Tourism Working Group Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion is scheduled to be taken place in the...Read More
MTF 2020 SHIFTS DATES
The Mekong Tourism Office will unpack its conference goodies earlier this year as the dates for the annual Mekong Tourism Forum in Bagan, Myanmar, move...Read More
