Protecting Culture and Heritage Responsible Tourism initiatives in the Greater Mekong Sub-region

Asian Social Entrepreneurs Summit (ASES)

30 November 2010 – Seoul, Korea

Mason Florence / Executive Director

Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO)

MTCO role…

The MTCO is tasked with the marketing and promotion ofTourism for one of the world’s most dynamic and alluringdestinations, that is the six-nation Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) and fostering its development as a singledestination under the ‘Mekong Tourism’ brand.

The Members

GMS

Tourism is a Globally Competitive Business

By By 2020 2020 Tourism Demand will Tourism Demand will DOUBLEDOUBLEExpenditure Expected to be >Expenditure Expected to be > US$US$1 1 TrillionTrillion

Target International Tourism Arrivals

0

10,000,000

20,000,000

30,000,000

40,000,000

50,000,000

60,000,000

2005 2010 2015

Arr

ivals

Thailand Other GMS Countries

Arrival Forecasts

MARKETING SIDE

Marketing Experts

Market GMS in order to increase long-stay above average spending

subregional travellers

Private Sector Partnerships

DEVELOPMENT SIDE

Development Experts

Orchestrate implementation and funding of 28-Development Projects as prescribed TSS

Donor Partnerships

1. Marketing and Product Development: Foster the development of multi-country tourism by stimulating demand from appropriate high-yield markets and products through joint promotional activities.

Cruising on the MekongCruising on the Mekong

Mekong Special InterestsMekong Special Interests

The Guide to Responsible Tourism in The Guide to Responsible Tourism in Cambodia, Laos and VietnamCambodia, Laos and Vietnam

www.ExploreMekong.orgwww.ExploreMekong.org

www.ExploreMekong.orgwww.ExploreMekong.org

Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office

2. Human Resource Development: Upgrade the skills of tourism leaders and tourism trainers to ensure that the strategy can be implemented and that qualified staff is in place to manage tourism demand.

3. Heritage Conservation and Social Impact Management: Promote higher standards in the management of natural and cultural resources for conservation and tourism purposes, and enhance measures to manage the negative social impact of tourism.

4. Pro-poor and Equitable Distribution of Benefits: Help reduce the incidence of poverty and increase rural incomes.

5. Facilitating the Movement of Tourists: Identify and reduce impediments to travel to and within the region.

6. Tourism-related Infrastructure Development: Jointly plan and develop tourism infrastructure with a view to ensuring a wider distribution of tourism benefits and supporting pro-poor tourism development in designated priority zones.

7. Private Sector Participation: Encourage private sector participation and partnerships in planning, investment, marketing and human resource development in the tourism sector

TOURISM PARTNERSHIPSTOURISM PARTNERSHIPS

§§ Public SectorPublic Sector

§§ Private SectorPrivate Sector

§§ Development World / NGOsDevelopment World / NGOs

§§ MediaMedia

§§ ConsumersConsumers

PUBLIC SECTORPUBLIC SECTOR

§§ Governmental OrganizationsGovernmental Organizations

§§ Ministry of Tourism (marketing & development)Ministry of Tourism (marketing & development)

§§ Other Ministries / Gov’t AgenciesOther Ministries / Gov’t Agencies

PRIVATE SECTORPRIVATE SECTOR

§§ All travel service providersAll travel service providers

§§ Travel CompaniesTravel Companies

§§ HotelsHotels

§§ AirlinesAirlines

DEVELOPMENT WORLD / NGOsDEVELOPMENT WORLD / NGOs

§§ Governmental Aid OrganizationsGovernmental Aid Organizations

§§ NGOsNGOs

§§ CommunityCommunity--based operatorsbased operators

Development Partners

MEDIAMEDIA

§§ Local Local –– Regional Regional –– InternationalInternational

§§ Newspapers/MagazinesNewspapers/Magazines

§§ RadioRadio

§§ TVTV

§§ Websites/BlogsWebsites/Blogs

§§ Travel GuidebooksTravel Guidebooks

CONSUMERS

• Backpackers• Flash-packers• Group Tourists• FIT• Adventure Seekers• Culture Vultures• Foodies• Specialty Tourists

All regional stakeholders share common problems in the area of socio-economic development, environmental and socio-cultural sustainability.

All regional stakeholders share similar tourism assets and markets many of whom undertake multiple country visits when they come.

Competition between stakeholders is not a good move as this will reduce the overall size of the tourism cake for each resulting in a lose-lose outcome for all.

It’s a far better move to work within a complimentary multi-country tourism destination marketing framework that builds a bigger tourism cake for all for a win-win outcome.

Thank You.

For further enquiries, contact:

Mason Florence

Executive Director

Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office

Tel: +662 612 4150-1 Fax:+662 612 4152

Email: mason@mekongtourism.org