Destination Mekong publishes the first Mekong Stories book

14 September 2022, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

To draw attention to the many people contributing to building a sustainable tourism industry in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and the many stories that make up the region, Destination Mekong is publishing the first Mekong Stories digital book.

Destination Mekong, the private-sector-led regional tourism board that champions the Greater Mekong Subregion as a single sustainable tourism destination, has launched its first Mekong Stories book.

Mekong Stories is, in part, a compendium of some of the best examples of travel enterprises within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). It is also the genuinely inspiring stories of those people working in the Mekong’s travel sector, from the small, responsible travel businesses and social enterprises showcased in our Experience Mekong Collection, the tourism professionals portrayed in Mekong Faces, the passionate entrepreneurs featured in the Mekong Innovations in Sustainable Tourism program (MIST), to the Mekong Heroes, as well as to all the shared experiences by travelers and residents from the Mekong Moments and Mekong Minis campaigns.

Dr. Jens Thraenhart, founder of Destination Mekong, said that he “firmly believes that destination storytelling is the most powerful marketing tool for a travel destination to inspire the world and build pride, in particular, a region as diverse as the GMS.”

Mark Bibby Jackson, editor-at-large of Mekong Stories, says: “The Mekong is an amazingly diverse area. There are so many stories to tell. In Mekong Stories we are giving voice to the many, many people working in the region who depend upon travel and tourism for their livelihoods. For too long the travel industry has had a bad press. Now is the time to hear real people talking about the positive benefits of tourism.”

Destination Mekong’s purpose is to engage the private sector, whether regional hospitality companies, small tour operators, shop owners, or individuals who provide services to visitors. “By sharing stories, we create bonds between people and bridges between cultures,” said Catherine Germier-Hamel, CEO of Destination Mekong.

Destination Mekong thanks its partners and supporters for this publication, including Studio DMB, UNWTO Affiliate Member Chameleon Strategies, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and the World Wildlife Fund. Contributors to the publications include:

  • Bertie Alexander Lawson for Sampan Travel
  • Cambodian Children’s Trust (CCT)
  • Hayley Holden for epicarts
  • Hivester
  • Janina Bikova
  • Jens Thraenhart
  • Jens Uwe Pakitny
  • Laurence Couton for WildChina
  • Mahidol University
  • Marissa Carruthers for TTG Asia
  • Mekong Quilts
  • Michael Biedassek for Bangkok Vanguards
  • Nattakorn Asunee Na Ayudhaya
  • Peter Richards
  • Sampan Travel
  • Small Luxury Hotels of the World
  • Sophie Hartman for SustainableVN
  • Suzanne Becken
  • Valerie Olla for Ock Pop Tok
  • WildChina

The 243-page publication will be available to read and download on www.destinationmekong.com; the content will also be published on www.mekongstories.com as well as on Destination Mekong’s Facebook page.

-ENDS

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Destination Mekong – Responsible and Safe Forms of Voluntourism webinar on August 24, 2021

On August 24, Destination Mekong and EPACT International, together with Child Protection Expert Group, co-organized the Destination Mekong – Responsible and Safe Forms of Voluntourism.

It was a very successful event with almost 200 participants to learn how voluntourism plays an important role in sustainable, responsible travel and tourism development in the region.

Thank you very much for such great support from ក្រសួងទេសចរណ៍ Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia and Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Lao PDR to join the panel discussion and share the valuable insights from best practices implemented in the countries.
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We also would like to thank all the great effort from our MeTAG Child Protection and Education Expert Group to organize and invite Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office to join the webinar.

Agoda Partnered with COVID Relief Bangkok

In July 2020, Agoda partnered with the COVID Relief project in Bangkok to distribute essentials to the most vulnerable groups in Bangkok.

Our colleagues in Bangkok joined to help pack relief kits that include masks, soaps, hand sanitizers, and basic food supplies. Agoda is proud to support this effort through our giving and volunteering program.

More details: https://partnerhub.agoda.com/agoda-partnered-with-covid-relief-bangkok/

Food charity drive with chefs and gastronomy members

The chefs and volunteers from several culinary-related associations, restaurants and hotels came together recently to do their bit to help needy families and people severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Headed by Master Chef Luu Meng, the CEO and Founder of Almond Hospitality, they also distributed food to volunteer doctors and health offices at Covid-19 vaccination centres, construction workers and road sweepers around the Sisowath Quay and palace areas.

The two-day charity activity carried out on Friday and Monday was in appreciation of their dedication to go about their duties during this pandemic.

It involved two-day cooking of food which was packed in 410 boxes consisting of 500grammes each of Cambodian all-time favourite dish “Prahoc Ktis” (fermented fish, minced pork, pea eggplants and coconut milk with help from local NGO, Mudhita Foundation for distribution.Each box can feed up to eight people.

On Friday, the Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia (ACAC) gave 300 boxes of cooked food while Sevensea Seafood Restaurant provided 110 boxes on Monday.  To top it off, a donation of cartons of Ogeu still mineral water from the Pyrenees, France was given with the gourmet meal.

Princess Norodom Arunrasmy, the founder of Mudhita Foundation, also participated in the cooking and preparation of the food boxes with the chefs on Friday at ACAC.

“We can’t help everyone, but we hope that with the cooking of this popular Khmer dish by our chefs and volunteers, infused with their love and kindness, we can together make a difference and bring some cheer to their lives,” said Meng who is the president of the Cambodian Tourism Federation.

The people and associations who made the charity event a reality were Disciple Escoffier Cambodia Association, Cambodia Chefs Society, ACAC, Cambodia Restaurants Association, Cambodia Chaîne des Rôtisseurs members,  Sun and Moon Hotel, World Dining Restaurant, Malis Restaurant, Uy Kuyteav Restaurant, Preah Srey of Anvarman Museum and Ogeu Groupe – Ogeu Eaux Minérales.

Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50866529/food-charity-drive-with-chefs-and-gastronomy-members/