Dear Mekong Tourism Stakeholder,
Our Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST) Program 2019 will have its grand ending at the MIST Forum in Bangkok on 9 October.
MIST was one of the first travel startup programs created by a regional tourism board. It was set up three years ago by the MTCO and the Mekong Business Initiative supported by the Australian Government and the Asian Development Bank. This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) are also partnering to support the program. Its purpose is to help integrate Greater Mekong Subregion travel startups into the global travel and tourism ecosystem, promote innovation, and help local firms thrive in the globally competitive tourism industry.
For the first time this year, we separately recognize travel tech ventures and social impact enterprises, which contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, encourage inclusive and responsible tourism development and promote gender equity in the Mekong Region.
The following startups have been shortlisted as the finalists. They will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders, potential investors, and mentors at the MIST Workshop at the PATA office in Bangkok on 8 October 2019.
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On 9 October, the MIST 2019 final pitch competition will be held at Quaint Bangkok as part of the Travel Startups Asia Forum, which will feature over 25 speakers from the travel industry. The Forum was designed to inspire entrepreneurs and learn from successful travel startups in the region.
The opening keynote will be given by H.E. Senator Weerasak Kowsurat, who formerly served as Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, highlighting the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in travel and tourism. The closing keynote will be given by the founder of Nok Airlines, Mr. Patee Sarasin, sharing his unique story and insights. The event will feature startup stories from successful MIST alumni such as Take Me Tour and Local Alike (Thailand), CoXplore (Viet Nam), Book Me Bus (Cambodia), as well as last year’s winner Bamboo Lao (Lao PDR). Delegates will also gain valuable insights from the founders of 12Go Asia, Cookly, and many more.
I would like to personally invite you to join us for the Networking Reception on October 8th and the 2019 MIST Pitch competition and half-day Travel Startup Asia Forum on October 9th in Bangkok, hosted in partnership with ADB Ventures, PATA, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The overall event agenda is as follows.
8 October 2019, 17:30 - 20-30: Networking Reception in partnership with Mekong Tourism, Travel Massive, and PATA (pay your own drinks)
Location: Hyatt Regency Bangkok, Spectrum Lounge & Bar
To join, please register here for the Networking Reception.
9 October 2019, 8:15 - 20:00: MIST Startup pitches, Travel Startups Asia Forum, MIST Networking Party & BBQ - Hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand
Location: Quaint Bangkok
Limited spaces are available. Click here to secure your seat.
Please visit MIST.asia for a detailed agenda and more information.
Kind regards,
Jens Thraenhart
Executive Director
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO)
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Nepal Tourism Conclave - Kathmandu, Nepal
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Mr. Jens Thraenhart was invited to present the Mekong Tourism sustainable tourism strategy at the Nepal Tourism Conclave and Business Awards function in Kathmandu.
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UNWTO Brand Development Workshop - Ulaanbataar, Mongolia
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The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office was present at the PATA Travel Mart 18-20 September 2019. With a focus on sustainable travel, Mr Thraenhart presented as acting chairman of the sustainable & social responsibility committee.
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UNWTO General Assembly - St. Petersburg, Russia
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Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office was present at the 23rd World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly and the 41st UNWTO Affiliate Members Plenary in St. Petersburg, Russia. |
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Join the MIST Pitching and Travel Startups Asia Forum 2019. The event will include the pitches of the finalists of the 2019 Mekong Innovative Startups for Tourism program as well as keynote speeches from industry leaders and innovators, startup stories from MIST alumni, as well as discussions on today's topics in tourism innovation.
8 October 2019, 17:30 - 20-30
Networking Reception in partnership with Mekong Tourism, Travel Massive, and PATA (pay your own drinks)
Location: Hyatt Regency Bangkok, Spectrum Lounge & Bar
9 October 2019, 8:15 - 20:00
MIST Startup pitches
Travel Startups Asia Forum
MIST Networking Party & BBQ - Hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand
Location: Quaint Bangkok
Limited spaces are available. Reserve your seat now.
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Featured shared experiences from MekongMoments.com
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Share your experiences in the Mekong Region on your own social media (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube), and tag with #MekongMoments #<country> #<business>. Visit MekongMoments.info to learn how to list your business for free.
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Any tourists walking through a park in Ho Chi Minh City would be familiar with the scene: A young stranger approaches them, a Vietnamese asking if she can practice her English with them. In a homogeneous country where 85 percent of people are of the same ethnicity, most of them Buddhist, tourism is a key way to expose locals to people from a variety of backgrounds.
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Recent Additions to the Mekong Tourism e-Library
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Women and Tourism: Designing for Inclusion
This preparatory World Bank paper on tourism and gender explains the rationale for integrating a gender lens into tourism development projects. It also includes a set of resources designed to help development professionals and project managers get started and find necessary data.
Download here
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Featured Experience Mekong Collection Member
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The Hanchey Bamboo Resort has nestled in a quiet countryside 20 km from the city of Kampong Cham. The resort offers a unique opportunity to experience meditation in Cambodia. Enjoy the peace of the countryside and be surprised by the social and environmental impacts the resort has to offer. Also, enjoying the sunrise and sunsets over the Mekong River and rice fields, rummaging around the local village and temple, exploring the bamboo islands by bike and seeing how the cashew nuts grow at Hanchey Bamboo Resort you will get truly authentic Khmer experience.
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The Experience Mekong Collection (EMC) curates small businesses that focus on sustainable and responsible practices to create a unique experiences for guests. Anybody can nominate businesses to be included in the Experience Mekong Collection, and an advisory board of tourism experts vets nominations for integrity and relevance. In partnership with Mahidol University, each year, one business per country (six in total) is selected to be one of the Experience Mekong Collection Showcases, with case studies to highlighting the nature and innovation of the business. Nominate your favorite small responsible business today for inclusion in the Experience Mekong Collection!
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An all-time pick-me-up Thai dessert, Thap Thim Krop is among the favourite icy choices with its looks matching its tastes. Crispy water chestnut interior provides the crunch, tapioca flour the chewiness, and then coconut milk for the unique refreshing aroma.
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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MTCO is active on various social media platforms under the universal handle @TourismMekong. Please
Tag with #MekongMoments #TourismMekong and follow us:
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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.
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