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This was a key conclusion of the recently-concluded Mekong Tourism Forum, and remains a major priority for regional tourism stakeholders. Overtourism, after all, still haunts many destinations in the region – beaches in Thailand, cities in Viet Nam and temples in Cambodia have suffered the environmental and cultural side effects of overtourism first-hand.
Promoting geographically dispersed tourism is a way for Mekong countries to have their cake and eat it, too. Pressure on tourist hotspots like Phuket, Siem Reap and Sa Pa can be relieved, even as out-of-the-way destinations like China PRC’s Lijiang Old Town, Thailand’s Laem Son National Park, and Viet Nam’s Lan Ha Bay begin profiting from tourism in their place.
To this end, Mekong countries are putting their secondary destinations in the promotional spotlight. For example, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is presently running a new campaign called "Amazing Secondary Cities, Must Visit, Must Love" that showcases local traditions and cultural heritage; and a tie-in with Thai AirAsia called “Menu of New Experiences” that focuses on the delicious local food available in Thailand's secondary and tertiary cities.
A lot still needs to be done, even as the Mekong Region’s geographically dispersed tourist spots are slowly gaining in prominence. Local destinations need to work with government bodies and the private sector to retrain locals, build tourism infrastructure, and certify tourist businesses – but thanks to the efforts of those NTOs and other stakeholders in the global tourism trade, those things are quickly coming together as well!
Read this newsletter to learn more about dispersed tourism in the region, among other developments!
*Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) Email: info@mekongtourism-mtco.org
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