Finding a common tourism strategy for the Greater Mekong Subregion

The Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) 2025 will take place from June 25-27, 2025 in Luang Prabang – a UNESCO World Heritage site – and will be organized by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (MICT) in collaboration with the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO).

The Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) is a key program within the tourism cooperation mechanism among the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries, with the participation of Cambodia, the People's Republic of China (specifically Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

With the theme “A Journey of Solidarity – Stronger Together,” MTF 2025 brings together stakeholders in the tourism industry, such as regulatory bodies, experts, development partners, and private sector representatives from across the Greater Mekong Subregion. One of the Forum's objectives is to discuss common solutions and new approaches to sustainable tourism development; strengthen regional cooperation; and promote community-based and responsible tourism.

The cross-border tourism model connecting the Ban Gioc Waterfall Scenic Area (Vietnam) and Duc Thien (China) is considered a model for cross-border tourism cooperation in the region. Photo: Tourists admiring Ban Gioc Waterfall in Vietnam.

Ms. Suvimol Thanasarakij, Executive Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), said this year's forum will highlight cross-border, multi-sectoral and community-based cooperation models in ways that can shape a more sustainable and inclusive future for the Mekong region's tourism industry.

Representing the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT), Ms. Phonemaly Inthaphome stated: “The Mekong Tourism Forum 2025 reflects the region’s commitment to shaping tourism as a driver of shared prosperity. By bringing together diverse perspectives from across the Greater Mekong Subregion, we aim to build a common platform for dialogue and cooperation, ensuring responsible, balanced, and mutually beneficial tourism development.”

MTF 2025 will include discussions among experts from across the tourism sector, thematic panel discussions, and the official launch of the GMS Tourism Strategy 2030. Delegates will also participate in technical tours, designed around hands-on experiences at Luang Prabang – the former capital of Laos.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/tim-chien-luoc-du-lich-chung-cho-tieu-vung-mekong-mo-rong-20250613103016358.htm