Launch of MIST Program

While the GMS countries are slowly starting to ease restrictions, we see the importance of collaboration and partnerships more than ever. This was apparent in our 3rd MeTAG virtual meeting as well as in the one-on-one calls we are conducting with the Tourism Ministries of the GMS countries.

With over 50 participants, the 3rd virtual meeting of the Mekong Tourism Advisory Group (MeTAG) was very successful and insightful. Speakers included amongst others Mr. Mr. Sounh Manivong - Director General, Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Lao PDR, Mr. Men Phearom - Director, Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia, Mr. Hla Myint - Director, Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, Myanmar, Mr. Chris Imbsen, Director at the World Travel Tourism Council (WTTC), Mr. Xu Jing, Former Asia Pacific Director of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), as well as Mr. Steven Schipani, Senior Specialist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). We would like to thank all participants and look forward to the next virtual meeting. The MeTAG is an important group for us to get insights on relevant topics and support in our Destination Mekong programs, such as the Experience Mekong Collection, the Experience Mekong Collection Showcases, for which voting is still open, Mekong Heroes for which we are accepting nominations, and the Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST) program.

For the fourth year, we have opened the Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST) program, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), for nominations and applications of startups in two categories: Travel Social Enterprises and Travel Technology Ventures. MIST has been one of the first tourism startup programs of any tourism board aiming to expedite tourism industry growth, creating an ecosystem that inspires innovation and promoting sustainability in tourism. With a focus on resilience amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, we hope to receive applications of similar high quality than in the past years. For the first time, the finalists of MIST will receive virtual one-on-one mentorship sessions with investors and MIST alumni. Nominations are open until 15 July 2020.

The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office is also calling for collaboration within the industry in our "Support the Experience Mekong Collection Members" initiative. The Experience Mekong Collection members provide experiences that promote inclusive tourism and we recognize them as shining lights of many communities in the region. We have prepared a listing of businesses that are asking for donations or sell gift certificates. Let's all come together to make sure that these lights will continue to shine for many years to come.

With this, I wish you a good week. Please stay healthy and take care of your family and employees.

Follow the physical distancing measurements today, so we can #TravelTomorrow.

Kind regards,
Jens Thraenhart, Executive Director
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO)