MTCO Stalwart Passes Away

The MTCO team is now missing one of its dearest partner, Michael Looney, head of Softech Business Solutions, which oversaw the development of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office’s (MTCO) websites and IT needs, died on Monday, 20 June, after battling cancer. He was 63. The US-born Mr Looney began his career in the airline industry, before the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) tapped him to run the organization’s IT department in its then San Francisco headquarters. He went on to handle the department’s ... Full story >>

  

Empowering Women through Tourism

On her first visit to the UNWTO headquarters in Madrid yesterday, Executive Director of UN Women Michelle Bachelet met with UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai to discuss how to strengthen collaboration between the two UN bodies in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in the tourism sector. Ms Bachelet emphasized the value of the role tourism plays in providing millions of women, especially in developing countries, with work, prosperity, and wellbeing. UN Women would continue to promote the importance of tourism for the third UN Millennium Development Goal: Gender Equality ... Full story >>

   

GMS Tourism Targets USD52 Billion by 2015

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced that the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) aims to net USD52 billion in tourism revenue by 2015, by implementing a joint marketing and promotion program, the Lao news agency KPL reported. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the Mekong Region generated ... Full story >>

 

Exotissimo Delves Deeper into the Mekong

Exotissimo Travel announced this week it is stepping deeper into the Mekong Region to open travel to secondary destinations by launching three new itineraries to rarely visited attractions: Phong Nha Caves in north-central Vietnam, Viengxay’s “Hidden City” in northeastern Laos, and the Myeik Archipelago in southernmost Myanmar. The UNESCO World Heritage site Phong Nha Caves ... Full story >>

 

Air France to Add Two Paris-HCMC Flights

HO CHI MINH CITY, 23 June 2011 – Air France plans to up its Paris-Ho Chi Minh City frequency from three to five weekly direct flights, beginning 31 October, to meet rising demand. In November 2010, the French flagship carrier launched its three weekly non-stop flights from Paris and HCMC, which operate on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with the new flights scheduled for Monday and Saturday. ... Full story >>

 

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France, Vietnam Tighten Tourism Ties

A Vietnamese delegation, headed by Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh has successfully concluded its visit to France, opening a new chapter in bilateral ties in tourism, culture, and sports between the two countries.
Upon his return, Minister Anh granted an interview to Voice of Vietnam (VOV) about the visit. What was the purpose of your visit to France? “The visit aimed to boost cooperation between Vietnam and France ... Full story >>

 

UN Conference Focuses on Alleviating Poverty through Tourism

The recently created UN Steering Committee on Tourism for Development (SCTD) addressed the contribution of tourism in advancing development during a special event on Tourism for Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction at the Fourth UN Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC-IV) in Turkey on 9 May. Hosted by the UNWTO Secretary-General together with the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey,  ... Full story >>

 

TTM Plus 2011 to Highlight the Greater Mekong Sub-region

A diverse and comprehensive program of seminars, tours and networking opportunities awaits participants of the Thailand Travel Mart 2011 Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Sub-region (TTM Plus 2011) when it opens on 8 June at the Impact Muang Thong Thani Exhibition Center in Bangkok. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) stated its new “balanced strategy” is to be meticulously followed during the three-day event, with a mix of business sessions and tours under the theme of “Caring for the Earth”. ... Full story >>

Vietnamese Wooden Blocks Seek “Memory of the World” Status

Vietnam has nominated the collection of 3,050 wooden-block Buddhist prayer books at Vinh Nghiem Pagoda in the northern province of Bac Giang to be recognized as a UNESCO Memory of the World. The carved blocks, with an average size of 24cmx35cmx0.4cm, are made from soft, yellow thi tree wood, known for its excellent preservation qualities. A working group of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bac Giang Province recently attended a UNESCO meeting in Poland, in which nominations for recognition as UNESCO world heritages will be assessed and voted on, including Vietnam’s wood blocks. ... Full story >>

 

Myanmar Lacks Tourism Facilities, Says Official

Myanmar Tourism Board (MTB) Chairman Khin Shwe said the country’s tourism facilities currently can only provide services to 300,000 tourists. “During the open (non-raining) season, we won’t be able to control them if there are more. There are only around 300,000 visitors with us (annual arrivals) currently,” said Mr Shwe. “Even with 300,000 visitors, our services are insufficient. As it is, we will be in trouble if 500,000 or a million turn up. ... Full story >>

Proposed Ban on Hanoi’s Cyclos Sparks Controversy

The Hanoi traffic police’s suggestion to ban cyclos from the capital city’s streets has created a controversy among experts and travel firms. The plan calls for officials to inspect the operation of cyclos and seize illegal cyclos, with the ultimate goal of eliminating the iconic form of transport by the end of 2011. Hanoi authorities have licensed over 300 cyclos belonging to four travel firms: Culture, Tourism and Trade Company, Huy Phong JS Company, ... Full story >>

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ASEAN Visa Exemption Costs Cambodia

Visa exemptions for citizens of five ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) countries – Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam – cost Cambodia's treasury USD14.1 million in lost revenue since the agreement went into effect in January 2008. Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon told the Phnom Penh Post the country realizes ASEAN visa-exemption program results in lower national revenues, but the kingdom will continue to participate ... Full Story >>

 

Cambodia Central Market Reopens after Makeover

Phnom Penh’s Central Market, Psah Thmay, was officially reopened on 1 June after undergoing seven years of ongoing renovations while remaining operational. This is the first time the market has been renovated since it was built in 1937. It is one of the finest examples of Art deco architecture that dot Phnom Penh, and greatly adds to the city’s charm. A book relating the history of the building will be launched shortly. “There are more than 3,000 merchants in this market. It is a central place, and it is important to recreate as some economic environment to stimulate the economy in the center of this town, this capital," said French Development ... Full story >>

 

Planning and Control Critical to GMS Growth Says Horwath Chairman

Speaking at the 2011 Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) in Pakse, Laos, on 28 May, global tourism consultants Horwath HTL Chairman Robert Hecker stated planning and control were vital to handling growing Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) visitor numbers to avoid negative impacts. “Once you have that balance you can start to manage what you're getting out of it: the income, the economic impacts, the social impacts. But without that planning aspect, you're lost,” Mr Hecker said. He added, ... Full story >>

 

Lanith Chief Emphasizes Tri-Party Social Enterprises at MTF

Speaking at the Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) in Pakse, Laos, on Friday, 27 May, Lanith (Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality) Chief Technical Advisor Peter Semone suggested donor agencies, governments, and ... Full story >>

 

MTF Urges Tourism Growth Management in “Making of a Star”

Travel and tourism experts from Southeast Asia and abroad discussed what needs to be done to establish the Mekong Region as a well-known global tourism destination at the Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) held in Pakse in southern Laos from 26-28 May, under the theme “Destination Mekong: The Making of a Star”. Speakers focused on investment, infrastructure, product, service, and marketing the Mekong Region ... Full story >>

 

Cambodia’s Coast Receives “Beautiful Bays” Status as Arrivals Soar”

Cambodia witnessed a double-digit jump in arrivals during the first four months of the year over the same period in 2010, while its 450-kilometer Coast between Koh Kong through Sihanoukville and Kampot to Kep recently received recognition as a member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club. Cambodia is counting on the designation and rising visitor numbers to increase investment in its beachfront. Cambodian Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said the Kingdom’s coastline would become the second largest tourist attraction ... Full story >>

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Special Announcements UNWTO Announces 2011 Ulysses Award Winners The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced the winners of this year’s Ulysses Awards that recognize initiatives and projects undertaken by public tourism institutions, tourism enterprises and non-profit institutions that ... Full Story >> ABTA’s Nikki White to Open the “Responsible Tourism in Destinations Conference” Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)’s Head of Destinations and Sustainability Nikki White will deliver the keynote address at the 5th Responsible Tourism in Destinations Conference in Edmonton, Canada, from 27-29 June 2011 ... Full Story >> TOP