"Mekong Tourism Forum 2023 in Cambodia takes sustainable tourism to the next level"

Starting 25 April, the 2023 Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF 2023) will unfold for two days in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville city, the capital of Preah Sihanouk province. Tourism stakeholders from all across the Mekong Sub-Region and the world will be “Rethinking for Resilience and Digitalisation”: reimagining post-Covid tourism in China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Five key ideas will take center stage at the MTF:

1. rethinking tourism to put people and planet first;
2. developing local food production networks with a focus on safety and hygiene, while reducing food waste;
3. using new digital technology to boost tourism startups and small- and medium-sized businesses;
4. improving training so that tourism workers have the skills to adapt; and
5. advancing equality of opportunity and fair treatment for women in the private and public sectors of tourism.

All these ideas will promote the goal of spreading the benefits of the travel industry spread beyond over-touristed hotspots.

A sustainable tourism exhibit on the conference grounds will show these ideas being put into practice. And beyond the conference grounds, delegates will join a series of post tours that showcase not only attractions but also sustainable tourism elements in the destination: from touring Sihanoukville city, to exploring Koh Rong Island to experiencing the local community-based ecotourism.

An estimated 150 international delegates are expected to attend the MTF 2023 in Sihanoukville, and you are invited to come as well: register through the new Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office website at www.mekongtourism.org.

Read this newsletter to learn about other sustainable travel news in the region!

*Source: Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO)