2019 Mekong Tourism Forum to be hosted in Yunnan

Saturday, May 25, 2019

This year’s edition of the Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF), to be hosted by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism Dali and Xizhou, Yunnan from 28-29 May, will focus on the theme of “tourism – a driver for cultural heritage preservation and poverty alleviation”.

The forum will stress on ways to promote sustainability in tourism and its positive influence on protection of cultural assets.

Topics will include rail tourism as a driver to sustainability; the management of sustainable and responsible tourism in GMS destinations –including the presentation of Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office’s (MTCO) new “Mekong Trends Snapshot Report on Responsible Tourism”; as well as the influence of small enterprises as sustainability’s drivers and the importance of story-telling to promote destinations.

“We are thrilled by the possibility to host the Mekong Tourism Forum in Dali, one of Yunnan most scenic destinations to visit and we want to extend our warmest gratitude to China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The excursion to Xizhou is a living testimony of ways to intimately link tourism and heritage without destroying the authenticity of a destination,” said Jens Thraenhart, the Executive Director of MTCO.

Yunnan continues to be among the most visited provinces by foreign travellers coming to China. As per the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the number of overseas tourists to Yunnan increased 5% in 2018 compared to the previous year.

Yunnan is aiming to become a leading destination in China, internationally recognized for its diversity and authenticity in products highlighting communities, nature and culture.

Yunnan already has strong connections to other member countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region. There are regular flights linking Kunming to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Danang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Krabi, Luang Prabang, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Phu Quoc, Siem Reap, U Tapao, Vientiane and Yangon. There are also flights from Jinghong (Xishuangbanna) to Luang Prabang. By late 2021 or early 2022, a new rail route will link Kunming to Boten, Luang Prabang and Vientiane with further connections to Bangkok.

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• MITF 2023 to take place on 25-27 April in Cambodia

• Mekong Tourism Forum 2022 concluded on 12 October