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Dear Mekong Tourism Stakeholder,

One of the strategic goals of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office is to support and recognize small- and medium-sized local enterprises and responsible operators, which make travel in the Greater Mekong Subregion so unique and authentic and which are crucial for post-COVID-19 recovery.

For this purpose, the MTCO has created the Experience Mekong Collection, which curates small, responsible, and sustainable travel businesses in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), endorsed by members of the Mekong Tourism Advisory Group (part of our Mekong Tourism Contributor Program). Currently, over 300 businesses are members of this collection of inspirational, rewarding, and authentic experiences that minimize negative impacts and generate greater benefits for the people of the GMS and enhance the well-being of host communities. The Experience Mekong Collection, as well as the newly launched Mekong Heroes initiative (nominations are open now), support our mandate for Responsible Travel in the GMS.

For the third year, we will recognize one member from each GMS country as an Experience Mekong Collection Showcase. 60 Experience Mekong Collection member businesses were shortlisted after they were examined in great detail in regard to their practices, tangible impact on the environment and social climate, innovation, and financial viability. This year for the first time, we created a portal for the public to vote to increase the exposure of the campaign and recognize the shortlisted members. I would like to invite you all to support and vote for your preferred Experience Mekong Showcases. You can see the announcement here.

While you are on MekongTourism.org, please do use the opportunity to stay updated on current developments through our dedicated CORONA Virus Resource Page and browse our intensive database of articles and publications. We have now also added a second Coronavirus Resource Page, which focuses on government policies to support businesses in this challenging time.

With this, I wish you a good week. Please stay healthy and take care of your family and employees.

Follow the physical distancing measurements today, so we can #TravelTomorrow.

Kind regards,

Jens Thraenhart
Executive Director
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO)

The Mekong Mini Movie Festival is our award-winning social media campaign, operated by Destination Mekong, engaging travelers to share their experiences in 60 second video format to inspire others to visit the Mekong Region. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we feature winning films to motivate people to #TravelTomorrow.
This time: Winner Mekong Mini Movie Festival 2019 - Thailand

The Linden Centre

The Linden Centre is an American-owned, award-winning boutique hotel offering the intrepid traveler a true immersion into authentic China. Guests reside in an expansive and luxurious courtyard home in Xizhou, a pristine village in Southwest China’s Yunnan Province. In the foothills of the Himalayas, guests enjoy a year-round spring climate and direct access to rich, undisturbed cultures in a true melting pot of the region.

Please see all Experience Mekong Showcases here.

Laos Buffalo Dairy

A socially-responsible enterprise consisting of a commercial dairy and production facility, cooperating with people from villages in and around Luang Prabang by renting their buffalo, which provides the families with a regular income stream from an under-utilized resource, namely female buffalo; male buffalo being sold for meat.
Laos Buffalo Dairy is the runner up of the Social Impact Enterprise category of MIST 2019.
READ MORE

SUPPORTING JOBS AND ECONOMIES THROUGH TRAVEL & TOURISM: A Call for Action to Mitigate the Socio-Economic Impact of COVID-19 and Accelerate Recovery

This document was prepared by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with the contribution of the Members of the Tourism Crisis Committee comprised of UNWTO, representatives of its Members States, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the private sector. DOWNLOAD

MEKONG TOURISM STORIES

DOMESTIC TRAVEL TO DRIVE VIETNAM TOURISM RECOVERY FROM COVID-19 CRISIS

Vietnam’s tourism industry is set to lead Asia’s return to business as social distancing restrictions are lifted and domestic travel is set to return.

The Vietnamese government announced the lifting of social distancing restrictions on April 24 setting the stage for the return of a domestic market of up to 70 million travelers per year that has been growing at a rate of 20% for the past five years.
READ MORE

To see our new media page with our latest press releases here

MTCO is active on various social media platforms under the universal handle @TourismMekong. Please
Tag with #MekongMoments #TourismMekong and follow us:

The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office is a collaborative effort between the governments of Cambodia, China, Lao PRD, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam to promote the Greater Mekong Subregion as a single tourism destination.