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Mekong Tourism Forum

PATA wants to launch a global event for the Mekong region

A “Tour du Mekong” stretching for six weeks in the six countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region should help branding worldwide the Mekong destination claimed during the Mekong Tourism Forum Martin J. Craigs, CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Planned for 2016, will the idea be however rapidly endorsed by all Mekong stakeholders? 

MANDALAY – Part of the Mekong Tourism Forum debate over heritage in the Greater Mekong Sub-region was a presentation from PATA CEO Martin J. Craigs over a new concept which would give the Mekong area a global word wide image. According to PATA CEO, all the elements are already in place to turn Mekong countries (Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam) into a major tourism destination. 
 
The six GMS countries received last year over 50 million international tourists, up from 25 million just five years ago. According to a research done by Hong Kong Polytechnic University for PATA, the potential of travellers to the region is estimated at 107 million by 2018. “We are just talking about potential inbound travellers. But of course, Mekong countries are currently not in the capacity of welcoming such a number due to infrastructure constraints. Services and infrastructures improved already while entry conditions for travellers have already been simplified. Let’s look now at ways to go into the next step of Mekong tourism’s development. Let’s look at “The Tour du Mekong 2016”, a major event which will not only bring global awareness to the destination but also help to the development of the region”, described Craigs. 
 
The tour will run for six weeks- one country/one week, passing although through major heritage sites, including some listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List such as Luang Prabang in Laos or Angkor Wat in Cambodia. PATA-envisioned “Tour du Mekong” looks at a multi-activity event which would include an electric cars race, a classic cars/motorcycles race, a solar-powered tuk tuk race, a triathlon, Mekong regattas as well as various festivals. “Up to 12,000 participants could be recorded with worldwide coverage by global media. This is a fantastic opportunity which will cost no money to governments as it will all funded by private sponsors and companies”, added PATA CEO.
 
Some conditions should however be created to host the event such as simplifying entry procedures into each country to allow seamless border-crossing. “Visas are an invention of the 19th century. Let’s the Mekong region being leading into 21st century travel with electronics passes or other solutions to be found”, highlighted Martin J. Craigs. 
 
The debate between pro and contra was alive. While ADB and Tripadvisor were very supportive, doubts remained by representatives of the Ministry of Tourism. “We could possible link the Grand Tour du Mekong with already existing events in the region. We just bring some additional events to existing sport competitions or festivals. The GMS has already shown its capacity to handle multi-country large events such as the recent Golden Triangle Triathlon within three countries”, analysed Steven Schipani, Social Sector Specialist ADB, who oversees some Mekong tourism related projects. “We definitely see a positive outcome of hosting a large world event in terms of notoriety”, added Matthew Zatto, Tourism Organization Sales Manager APAC for Tripadvisor. 
 
However, for Lutzi Matzig, Chairman of Asian Trails and for some official representatives, such a big event might hit troubles with the organization. “I think should be the leader to organise on a rotating basis. Otherwise, i think it will be hard to implement”, said Matzig.

Opening borders and accommodating a large number of people could also be generate bottlenecks as not all countries still do not have the necessary capacities and infrastructures. 
 

Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office outgoing Executive Director Mason Florence stressed the necessity to let the event go through secondary cities to spread benefits to all communities. “This is the essence of developing in this part of the world to help alleviating poverty”, he reminded the audience. 
 
Meanwhile, the blueprint of Tour du Mekong –exact itinerary, hosting period, travel conditions, financing and marketing support- must rapidly be discussed among GMS stakeholders. Martin J. Craigs would love to see a decision taken before November to potentially make an announcement at World Travel Market in London. With a target to host the first edition in 2016. “Now it is all the hands of officials to talk about and look at the ultimate benefits of hosting such a big event. But eventually, we could start with a “light version” in 2016 before launching the complete Tour du Mekong in 2017”, said PATA CEO. Martin J. Craigs is probably aware that decisions always take time in that part of the world…

Photo caption: Martin Craigs PATA CEO

 

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Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.

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