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Join the Virtual Destination Mekong Summit and hear from international experts recommendations and insights for travel businesses during COVID-19 to prepare for a balanced tourism recovery. The objective of the event is to answer burning questions, offer actionable suggestions on how to survive these challenging times, and how to best prepare for an accelerated recovery.

CHAPTER 6

The Take-Aways (Part 1)

What are some of the DOs and DON’Ts, based on researching tourism businesses all over the world from the private sector perspective?

Mr. Sinisa Topalovic, Global Head of Tourism Advisory of Horwath HTL, will answer some of the questions about good and bad practices of destinations based on global research. The session is moderated by Mr. Jens Thraenhart.

Speakers of this chapter:

Mr. Sinisa Topalovic | Global Head of Tourism Advisory, Horwath HTL

Siniša Topalović, ISHC is partner and global head of tourism advisory at Horwath HTL. With more than 150 projects worldwide in the field of tourism, leisure and hospitality advisory, for both private and public sector clients, Siniša has worked on projects shaping todays tourism industry landscape His fields of expertise include strategic and operational advisory in tourism and hospitality sector, including public sector advisory on sustainable tourism development, product development, tourism marketing and branding, tourism regulation, tourism management organisations, etc.

Mr. Jens Thraenhart | Executive Director of Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office

Jens Thraenhart was appointed by the six tourism ministries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam, and China to head the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO). With more than 25 years of experience, Mr. Thraenhart has headed digital and marketing strategy teams at organizations including Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and the Canadian Tourism Commission. Recognized as a China expert, he co-founded award-winning Chinese Travel Marketing agency Dragon Trail in 2008, as well as China Travel Trends. He has consulted for the Asian Development Bank, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), and other international organizations.

Educated at Cornell University with a Masters of Management in Hospitality, and currently pursuing his doctorate at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Mr. Thraenhart was named as one of the travel industry’s top 100 rising stars by Travel Agent Magazine in 2003, as one of HSMAI’s 25 Most Extraordinary Sales and Marketing Minds in Hospitality and Travel in 2004 and 2005, and one of the Top 20 Extraordinary Minds in European Travel in 2014. He currently serves as the 2nd Vice Chair of the Board of the Affiliate Members of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) invites travel professionals from both public and private sectors from all over the world to join. We have waived registration fees in order to assist travel and tourism professionals during these challenging times.

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.