The event was attended by 100 delegates from GMS member countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand), along with representatives of national tourism agencies, associations, businesses, important GMS partners such as the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Asian Ecotourism Network and experts from Switzerland, a leading country in sustainable tourism.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, emphasized that the Mekong Sub-region is currently facing many challenges such as climate change, pressure on infrastructure, uneven benefit sharing and imbalance between nature conservation and heritage.
The adoption of the GMS Tourism Development Strategy to 2030 marks an important milestone, opening a new development direction for regional tourism. This strategy aims for a green, sustainable, innovative and integrated GMS, with people and nature at the center of development. In this context, the conference is an important forum for member countries, international experts and partners to share experiences and lessons, especially to discuss actions to realize the GMS Tourism Development Strategy.
Vietnam is currently implementing the Green Tourism Development Program for the 2023-2025 period, reaffirming its efforts to build sustainable destination models, enhance digital transformation, reduce carbon emissions and spread benefits to local communities. Vietnam is also strongly committed to working with GMS countries to share data and coordinate actions to achieve common goals.
According to Mr. Etienne Jenni, Director of Trade Promotion, Swiss Economic Directorate, Switzerland is pleased to share its experience in sustainable tourism development to support the development of the tourism and hospitality industry. Through strengthening the policy framework, applying internationally recognized sustainability standards, building capacity for private enterprises operating in the tourism industry and developing high-level tourism and hospitality management skills, it aims to promote tourism growth that brings long-term economic, social and environmental benefits to the community.
In his welcome speech at the conference, Mr. Bui Van Manh, Director of Ninh Binh Department of Tourism, affirmed that as an active member of GMS, Vietnam tourism in general and Ninh Binh in particular always adhere to the orientation of green-sustainable-inclusive and responsible tourism. Ninh Binh tourism wishes to work with GMS countries to research and build a tourism route connecting Mekong heritage, contributing to increasing common values and enhancing the image of the whole region.
At the conference, delegates focused on two sessions. The first session on “Knowledge and experience in sustainable tourism development in GMS countries” discussed effective tourism development models, international standards that need to be applied, ways to mobilize resources and promote international cooperation in this field.
The second session discussed “GMS Vision and Actions for Sustainable Tourism Development”, aiming to shape the vision and ambitious common goals by 2030, and clearly define the coordinating role of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) and the active participation of all stakeholders in implementing the region’s common strategy.
Discussions at the conference also showed that, in order to develop sustainable tourism and integrate with other countries and regions in the world, GMS countries need to apply and build sustainable tourism models, standards and certifications in accordance with global common standards.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/phat-trien-du-lich-ben-vung-tieu-vung-song-mekong-post923944.html
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