(QNO) - Promoting tourism linkage in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) is a way to awaken the treasure of tourism resources of this region as well as open up opportunities to diversify the tourism market to Quang Nam in particular and Vietnam in general.
“Six countries, One destination”
The GMS countries welcomed nearly 74 million international visitors (accounting for about 15% of international arrivals to the Asia - Pacific region) in 2019 and about 3.2 million international arrivals in the first 6 months of 2022.
Under the theme of “Rebuild Tourism, Rebound with Resilience”, the Mekong Tourism Forum 2022 organised in Quang Nam province from 10 - 14 October was a chance for in-person discussions about rebuilding a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable tourism industry in the GMS.
According to Director of the Viet Nam National Tourism Administration Nguyen Trung Khanh, tourism is one of the prior areas in economic cooperation of the Mekong countries. The GMS countries should focus on a destination brand with the motto “Six countries, One destination” as part of the GMS Tourism Recovery Communication Plan.
Speaking at the forum, Deputy Chairman of the Quang Nam provincial People’s Committee Tran Van Tan said the forum was a good opportunity to promote tourism in the GMS countries, introduce tangible and intangible cultural values, specific tourism resources and products to the public.
Promoting regional tourism linkages
Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh said upgrading tourism infrastructure, facilities, tourism products and accommodations, promoting digital transformation and information technology in tourism, training human resources in tourism will play key roles in the post-COVID-19 recovery plan.
Myanmar’s Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism - Zeyar Myo Aung, tourism development projects should create sustainable livelihoods from tourism for local people.
Recently, a number of countries in the GMS are gradually emerging as promising tourist markets for Quang Nam's tourism industry. In particular, China and Thailand were in the top 10 largest tourist markets of Quang Nam in 2019.
