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In this issue:
Full House for Biodiversity Conservation Workshop in Bangkok
GMS Tourism Officials to Meet in Myanmar
Lao PDR Host Poverty Reduction Workshop October 2-3
Other Tourism Events in the GMS
Hanoi to Host Tourism Promo Conference
Chiang Mai Hosts New Travel Event
MTCO Upgrades Website
2009 World Ecotourism Conference in Laos
Thailand Community Tourism Efforts Win International Award
'Responsible' Tourism Guide Online Soon
Focus on Cambodia
New Mekong Discovery Trail Website Launched
'Discover Natural Cambodia' — Take the Road Less
Travelled
Adventure Cycle Tour Supports Cambodia Street Children
GMS Travel News at a Glance
About the
Mekong Tourism Office
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| Mr Paul Eschoo, WWF Lao, presents Xe Pian
National Park, Lao PDR |
Full House for Biodiversity Conservation Workshop in Bangkok
Close to 100 participants took part recently in a Mekong Tourism
Coordinating Office (MTCO) workshop aimed at developing definitions of principles and guidelines for nature based tourism development.
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Dr Ronnakorn Triraganon, RECOFTC
and Ms Alison Bleaney, IUCN |
Hosted by the Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the
workshop was supported by the Asian Development Bank and the French Government. The two-day workshop at the Siam City Hotel, Bangkok,
attracted presenters and attendees from throughout the GMS, Asia, Europe and the USA.
Speakers presented case studies of 'ecotourism' and nature-based
tourism projects throughout the world. Tourism operators sharing their experiences at the first workshop include Wild Asia, Pacific Asia
Tourism, Track of the Tiger and Six Senses Group.
Representatives from different areas related to the environment —
NGOs, scientific researchers, conservation centres and academics — also participated.
Workshop goals included a focus on assessing training needs and establishing a roadmap for a programme to improve the management of
tourism in and around protected areas.
This first workshop of a series of four also
aimed at jumpstarting four "priority projects" of the GMS Tourism Sector Strategy which was designed by ADB with the GMS countries.
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| Mr Arnfinn Oines, Six Senses Group |
"The workshop achieved its first objective of
gathering the different stakeholders together," said MTCO Development Project Coordinator, Ms Christine Jacquemin. "I think it is the first
time private sector, environmental organizations and country officials in charge of tourism and environment were meeting together to discuss
what is their common interest — how tourism if better managed can become a tool for biodiversity conservation and local development," she
added.
The strong attendance clearly demonstrates
that this is in everyone's interest. It was a good opportunity for people to establish new contacts and share experiences," Ms Jacquemin said.
During the second day, attendees worked on defining training needs and a road map that was later validated within a task force meeting.
According to Ms Jacquemin, the workshop will
be a success if it leads to funding of a subregional program to train protected area management teams in tourism management which has been
identified as priority number one by all the stakeholders.
Workshop
presentations,
agenda
and programme. MOTS website.
ADB website.
French government website.
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GMS Tourism Officials to Meet in Myanmar
The 22nd Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Tourism Working Group Meeting
(TWG) is being held October 16-18 at the Aureum Palace Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
Tourism officials from the six GMS countries — China (PRC), Cambodia, Laos (PDR), Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam — will be
discussing a wide range of subjects, including:
• Selection of an executive director
• MTCO long term funding
• Rotation between countries of the MTCO
• Progress on implementing the MTCO marketing plan
The meeting is hosted by the Myanmar Ministry of Hotels & Tourism.
Website.
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Lao PDR Host Poverty Reduction Workshop October
2-3
The second of four MTCO organized workshops is being held October 2-3
at the Novotel Hotel, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Entitled "Elaborating Profitable Partnership
Mechanisms for the Local Communities, the Private Sector and the GMS Countries," the two-day workshop is hosted by the Lao National Tourism
Administration, with support of the Asian Development Bank and the French Government.
It aims to bring together key stakeholders who will consider how to enhance the poverty reduction impact of the rapidly
growing tourism sector in the Subregion, and provide guidelines for the preparation of a detailed project design focusing on developing
equitable and more effective pro-poor tourism partnerships.
Workshop agenda and programme. LNTA
website. ADB website.
French Government website.
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| Other Tourism Events in the GMS |
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Hanoi to Host
Tourism Promo Conference
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| Chiang Mai temple |
Hanoi, Vietnam, will host the 7th annual Council for
Promotion of Tourism in Asia (CPTA) conference October 5-10. The event will propose solutions for tourism development in CPTA
member cities, as well as boosting intra-regional co-operation.
Chiang Mai Hosts New Travel Event
Chiang Mai, Thailand, is hosting the inaugural Chiang Mai and North Tourism Forum 2008 October 9-11 in an effort to lure back
direct overseas flights.
Organised by the Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association, Chiang Mai Provincial Authority Organization and Tourism Authority
of Thailand, the event also aims to increase foreign visitors to the province by positioning Chiang Mai as a tourism gateway for
overland routes to China that use the R3A route, and promote tourism route linking eight northern provinces.
Around 30 airlines have been invited to join the programme and meet with local government officials. Executives of travel
companies throughout Asia, Europe and Bangkok have also been invited and will be able to meet meet with 100 sellers from upper
northern provinces.
TTRweekly
full story. TOP |
MTCO Upgrades Website
Offering a "wealth of information" about tourism development in the
GMS and presented with a new "fresh, user-friendly look and feel," the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office announced its newly designed —
www.MekongTourism.org — website.
The new website is easier to navigate, more attractive and more accessible to all visitors, including people with visual
disabilities. The redesign has less clutter than the old site, and has easier-to-find links to the most pages.
The new home page includes a "tabs" section where users can quickly tab through the latest site additions including;news,
events and publications.
The changes are the first in a series of planned site improvements. Visit
www.MekongTourism.org.
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2009 World Ecotourism Conference in Laos
The Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA) recently announced that
the World Ecotourism and Adventure Conference will be held in Vientiane, Lao PDR July 15-16, 2009.
"This innovative conference aims to present
modern approaches to sustainable tourism development and management at World Heritage Sites, exchange lessons-learned regarding global
best-practice in the ecotourism and community-based tourism sectors and seek solutions to mitigate and reverse negative impacts of tourism
such as climate change and environmental degradation," said LNTA Minister and Chairman H.E. Mr Somphong Mongkhonvilay.
"Lao PDR, Asia's newest and fastest growing tourist destination is well suited to host this event based on its reputation for
warm hospitality and wealth of cultural, natural and historic tourism assets, including two UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites and a network
of 20 National Protected Areas that cover more than 13% of the country," he added.
Conference website.
LNTA website.
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Thailand Community Tourism
Efforts Win International Award
In recognition of their unique approach, Andaman Discoveries recently
received a 2008 SEED Award for Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Development. Andaman Discoveries offers responsible tours and volunteer
placements in Thailand's Andaman Coast communities, creating employment opportunities and financial support to various locally led social and
environmental projects.
Founded in 2006, Andaman Discoveries works as part of the North Andaman Community Tourism Network, and is under the
sponsorship of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Chosen from close to 400 applications from over 100 countries worldwide, Andaman Discoveries will use the award, valued at
US$25,000, to expand its partnerships with the local community tourism network.
Andaman Discoveries website.
IUCN website. About the
SEED
Awards.
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'Responsible' Tourism Guide Online Soon
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A downloadable digital version of The Guide to Responsible Tourism in
Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam will be available soon at the MTCO website
www.MekongTourism.org. The
fast growing tourism destinations of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam published the 148-page guide book in August showing where and how to enjoy
responsible tourism activities in the three countries.
Over 25 activities in each country are profiled in the publication. Each activity creates income for local people, minimises
potential negative tourism impacts, involves members of the local communities in running the business, conserves natural and cultural
heritage, provides meaningful experiences for tourists, helps people with physical disabilities, and builds respect between visitors and
hosts.
The colour guide book describes 82 tourism experiences from the tourist's perspective, and how that activity helps local
people while respecting local culture and the environment. The book contains full contact and booking information for all the recommended
activities.
The book also contains profiles of the three countries, practical information for travellers, and a list of useful resources
and organisations involved with heritage, conservation and responsible tourism. Part of Asian Development Bank's Mekong Tourism Development
Project, the guide was written by Mekong subregion experts Guy Marris, Nick Ray and Bernie Rosenbloom, and edited by Ken Scott.
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Focus on Cambodia |
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New
Mekong Discovery Trail Website Launched
The new website of the Mekong Discovery Trail
— www.mekongdiscoverytrail.com — has been officially launched.
The Mekong Discovery Trail is a joint project between Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)
and SNV (Netherlands Development Organisation). The project has two overarching objectives: alleviating poverty and promoting
conservation through appropriate and sustainable tourism development along the Mekong River in Kratie and Stung Treng.
The Mekong Discovery Trail highlights the river life adventure in Northeast Cambodia along the Mekong River in Kratie and
Stung Treng provinces. The website incorporates interesting news; maps of the trails with detailed information; and available
tourism activities along the trail, such as Mekong River dolphin viewing, horse cart riding, mountain biking, forest trekking, and
house boating.
Information about local products, home-stay and other ecotourism and nature-based activities is also provided. Getting
involved in these activities can improve local community well-being and development as all the services and products are provided
by local communities and local suppliers.
Visit www.mekongdiscoverytrail.com.
MoT website.
UNWTO website. and
SNV website.
'Discover Natural Cambodia' — Take the Road Less Travelled
A new brochure aimed at increasing awareness of Cambodia's natural assets has been produced by The Cambodia Ministry of Tourism,
CCBEN (Cambodia Community-based Ecotourism Network), and SNV (Netherlands Development Organisation).
Entitled Discover Natural Cambodia, the publication also highlights Cambodia's community-based ecotourism sites, and
nature-based activities in the four priority ecotourism regions: Northeast Cambodia, Tonle Sap Region, the Coastal Region and the
Cardamom Mountains.
Other goals for the brochure include: capturing the attention of the travel trade to help in making ecotourism and
community-based tourism sustainable; extending the length of stay of international visitors as they find new sites, destinations
and activities; and assisting in poverty alleviation by alluring visitors to spend locally in more remote and poor areas.
Download brochure (4.5 MB PDF)
SNV website.
CCBEN website.
MoT website.
Adventure Cycle Tour Supports Cambodia Street Children
Future Cambodia Fund (FCF) announces its
annual Street Retreat Charity Ride throughout Cambodia in November. Cyclists joining the tour will begin at the renowned temples
of Angkor Wat, traveling east to the beaches of Sihanoukville and finishing in bustling Phnom Penh.
The two-week cycling tour covers several hundred kilometers and cyclists explore the many wonders of Cambodia during the day,
riding through the country's diverse natural environments and visiting towns and villages along the way. Each night, participants
will stay at responsible tourism hospitality providers, pre-selected to ensure that every aspect of the Street Retreat Ride has a
positive impact on Cambodian livelihoods.
Riders will also visit development projects working with street children in order to enrich their understanding of
development issues. FCB website.
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GMS Travel News at a Glance
Thai Tourism Back to Normal — The state of emergency was lifted on September 14. All travel facilities are operating as normal. Get
the latest updates from the TAT.
Traveling from HCMC to Cambodia and Thailand by Bus — Ben
Thanh Tourist, a Ho Chi Minh City tour operator, has collaborated with Saigon Passenger Transportation Company (Sapaco Tourist) to launch a
road travel tour from HCMC to Cambodia and Thailand.
Full story.
New Border Crossings to Improve Cambodia-Laos Tourism — Officials from Cambodia and Laos have agreed to open two new international
checkpoints, paving the way for increased cross-border tourism and trade.
Full story.
More Jetstar Links for HCMC — Jetstar Pacific Airlines will open three new international routes from Ho Chi Minh City. The new direct
services to will connect Vietnam's second city with Siem Riep, Singapore, and Bangkok.
Jetstar website.
Siem Reap Airways Adds HCMC — Siem Reap Airways International will add a new route between Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City from October
26. The new daily, non-stop service will be operated by the 138-seat A319.
Siem Reap Airways website.
New Lonely Planet Guides for Thailand and Cambodia — Lonely Planet has announced the launch of new guides for Thailand — 'Encounter'
pocket guides for Koh Samui and Phuket, and the 8th edition of the main Bangkok guide. A new Encounter guide has also been published for Siem
Reap, Cambodia.
Lonely Planet website.
Kunming Airport Seeks Foreign Investor — China's Yunnan
Airport Group is seeking an overseas investor to help finance a new RMB18.4-billion (US$2.7-billion) airport in Kunming city, the capital of
Yunnan province.
Full story.
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About the
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
The MTO was established in February 2006. Its four key objectives are
to:-
• Develop and promote the Mekong as a
single destination, offering a diversity of good quality and
high-yielding sub-regional products that help to distribute the
benefits of tourism more widely
• Add to the tourism development efforts of
each GMS country
• Contribute to poverty reduction, gender
equality and the empowerment of women
• Promote sustainable development, while
minimising adverse impacts.
Contact Point
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
5th Floor, Office of Tourism Development, Ministry of Tourism & Sports
154 Rama I Road, National Stadium, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: (66-2) 612-4150/1. Fax: (66-2) 612-4152.
E-mail:
info@MekongTourism.org. Website:
www.MekongTourism.org.
Media enquiries:
media@MekongTourism.org.
Abbreviations
ADB (Asian Development Bank); EU (European Union); GMS (Greater Mekong
Subregion); IMF (International Monetary Fund); MTCO (Mekong Tourism
Coordinating Office); MTO (Mekong Tourism
Office); SNV (Netherlands
Development Organization); STEP (Sustainable Tourism Eliminating
Poverty); UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific); UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization); UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism
Organization).
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