REFLECTING ON MTF 2017...

More than 400 delegates joined us in Luang Prabang for the 2017 Mekong Tourism Forum. Thanks to our host, the Provincial Government, and the tireless support of the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism of Lao PDR, as well as the support of our sponsors and partners, speaker and facilitators. We were able to stage an engaging, inclusive, and purposeful tourism industry gathering.

We were part of an experiment to create a truly inclusive and responsible tourism conference. All sessions embraced the theme of "Prosper with Purpose", important themes were discussed, including child protection, heritage preservation, green-clean cities, gender equality, as well as talent development and community-based tourism, just to name a few. Even sessions that traditionally focus on growth and demand generation, like marketing and hotel investment, focused their discussions on responsible and sustainable practices.

Supported by Exo Foundation, we were inspired by Anna Pollock's thought-provoking message that passion and purpose breeds prosperity. Panels moderated by journalist Imtiaz Muqbil explored the future of tourism development in the GMS by considering past learnings. And finally we laughed and cried when native tourism professionals from the Mekong member countries made passionate pitches to focus on key opportunities and threats to drive responsible development in the region. We brought in the youth and the future leaders with MIST, our own Mekong Tourism Accelerator Program to connect promising entrepreneurs and startups with the travel and tourism industry. Their innovation will be the foundation to build a prosperous and purposeful future. Finally, we tried to make the entire event more purposeful and responsible by saving single-use plastic waste and gave every attendee their own 'limited-edition' refillable MTF 2017 water bottle, supported by GIZ, while session venues dubbed as refill stations. We saved an estimated amount of around 5,000 single use plastic bottles during MTF 2017.

We took a risk by experimenting with a new MICE model for smaller towns without big hotels and conference centers, and create an inclusive platform for cooperation. MTF 2017 in Luang Prabang demonstrated that by making the destination the venue, and having delegates experience over 16 tourism products, matched with topical sessions, moderated by subject matter experts, true engagement can be achieved. This event was truly an event by the industry for the industry.

International Media covered the event, and brought exposure to the host destination Luang Prabang and Laos, speakers, partners and sponsors, as well as the Greater Mekong Subregion as a whole. For the first time in the history of MTF, CNN covered the event.

If not before at MTF 2018 in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, I look forward to seeing you again soon - hopefully at our first Mekong Trends Seminar on GMS Aviation on October 10 in Bangkok, and welcome you as an active member of our Mekong Tourism Community.

Jens Thraenhart
Executive Director - Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office