Why is collaboration so critical especially now and how to engage? - FREE Virtual DMS 2020

Join the Virtual Destination Mekong Summit and hear from international experts recommendations and insights for travel businesses during COVID-19 to prepare for a balanced tourism recovery. The objective of the event is to answer burning questions, offer actionable suggestions on how to survive these challenging times, and how to best prepare for an accelerated recovery.

CHAPTER 11
The Collaboration
Especially now, collaboration is more important than ever. But how to engage? Introduction of the social media campaign Mekong Memories to create a content cloud of past experiences to inspire people to #TravelTomorrow, and the new Mekong Deals platform to feature non-refundable vouchers sold by travel operators to help survive the crisis.

Speakers of this chapter:

Mr. Willem Niemejer | Chairman, Yanna Ventures / Khiri Travel
Willem Niemeijer is the CEO of YAANA Ventures, an owner, partner and operator of entrepreneurial travel and hospitality ventures in Asia.

Through YAANA, Mr. Niemeijer builds brands that share real experiences that are grounded in the cultural richness of Asia. More importantly, he drives each venture to champion the triple-bottom-line: to nurture the people with whom YAANA works, to sustain the planet we all share, and to pursue profits to expand YAANA's mission.

Mr. Ianic Menard | Vice President Sales, Marketing & Distribution Upper Southeast Asia, Accor
Ianic Menard is Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Distribution for Accor in Upper Southeast & Northeast Asia and the Maldives. His wealth of experience in Sales, Marketing and Distribution has enabled him to celebrate many successes in the hospitality industry over the past 20 years.

A Canadian national, Ianic joined Accor in 1996 at the Novotel Montreal, before becoming the Associate Director of Sales of the opening Sofitel New York. Ianic then moved to the corporate office where he was responsible for the North American Corporate Global Sales team, managing accounts such as IBM, HP & Citigroup at the global level.

He then took up various roles with Accor in Europe, including Director of Sales for Orbis (Accor Poland), Director of Sales, Marketing and Distribution for Accor Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria before leading the sales strategy for Central Europe including Russia and Turkey.

Ianic relocated to Asia in 2013 to join the Accor corporate office overseeing Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines team as Regional Director of Sales and Distribution. He has since also consolidated Marketing, Loyalty and Digital within his current scope of responsibilities, as Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Distribution.

Mr. Jens Thraenhart l Executive Director, Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
Jens Thraenhart was appointed by the six tourism ministries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam, and China to head the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO). With more than 25 years of experience, Mr. Thraenhart has headed digital and marketing strategy teams at organizations including Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and the Canadian Tourism Commission. Recognized as a China expert, he co-founded award-winning Chinese Travel Marketing agency Dragon Trail in 2008, as well as China Travel Trends. He has consulted for the Asian Development Bank, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), and other international organizations.

Educated at Cornell University with a Masters of Management in Hospitality, and currently pursuing his doctorate at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Mr. Thraenhart was named as one of the travel industry’s top 100 rising stars by Travel Agent Magazine in 2003, as one of HSMAI’s 25 Most Extraordinary Sales and Marketing Minds in Hospitality and Travel in 2004 and 2005, and one of the Top 20 Extraordinary Minds in European Travel in 2014. He currently serves as the 2nd Vice Chair of the Board of the Affiliate Members of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) and Destination Mekong invite travel professionals from both public and private sectors from all over the world to join. We have waived registration fees in order to assist travel and tourism professionals during these challenging times.

Register now to participate

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Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
c/o 3rd Floor, Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, 154 Rama 1 Road National Stadium, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Web: www.mekongtourism.org
Tel: +66 2038 5071-1
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