The event is organised together with the Ministry of Tourism & Sports of Thailand, and the Provincial Government of Nakhon Phanom and the 2018 Mekong Tourism Forum takes place from June 26-29 in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.

This year, the theme is “Transforming Travel – Transforming Lives”, with the aim to open participants’ and hosts’ minds alike by connecting and learning from each other.

The 2018 Edition will be shaped by 5 key events:

1. Mekong Mini Movie Festival

On Wednesday afternoon, the 1st Film & Destination Marketing Conference will explore the power of visual storytelling to promote destinations - followed by the screening of some of the most inspiring videos from the Mekong Mini Movie Festival campaign.

2. Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST)

On Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning, the Travel Innovation Conference and the Travel Startups pitches respectively will reveal the most promising startups and trends from MIST to the travel and tourism industry.

3. Mekong Tourism Forum – Transforming Travel (Part 1)

On Wednesday afternoon, discussions ranging from Buddhist Tourism to Responsible Tourism focus on the potential of transforming travel and people’s lives.

4. Mekong Tourism Forum – Transforming Travel (Part 2)

On Thursday morning, mini keynotes from senior travel executives coming from different sectors, all focusing on transformative travel. Our second Mekong Opportunities & Threats sessions will focus on key issues that are vital to focus on as an industry to develop the region in a responsible way, pitched by young travel professionals, native to the GMS.

5. Mekong Tourism Forum – Transforming Travel (Part 3)

On Thursday afternoon, we will actually look at transforming travel and transforming lives by ourselves. As a first in travel and tourism conferences worldwide, eight thematic sessions from Adventure Tourism to Religious Tourism will be hosted in eight community-based villages around Nakhon Phanom.

Participants will experience a traditional village welcome ceremony and an authentic lunch followed by the thematic workshop and an interactive village experience to engage in weaving, fishing, and other activities.

In order to give back to the local communities, delegates are asked to pay THB 1,200 (around USD 30) to cover exxpenses for villages such as food, activities but also to provide a special traditional shirt from their respective village.

More information can be found at www.MekongTourismForum.org