Balanced Tourism Recovery for a Better Future
25 AUGUST 2020 | 1:30 – 6PM (Indochina time)
Registration
Register here for the Destination Mekong Summit 2020 and to receive a link to join the virtual event.
AGENDA - Indo-China Time
(Thailand, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Western Indonesia)
13:30 – 13:45
Check-in and Virtual Networking
13:45 – 13:50
Event Information
Under the theme of “Balanced Tourism Recovery for a Better Future”, the format of the Virtual Destination Mekong Summit deploys a ‘condensed content concept’ by not having a series of presentations, but engaging in pointed and focused discussions. The objective is to answer burning questions, offer actionable suggestions on how to survive these challenging times, and how to best prepare for an accelerated recovery.
The Virtual Destination Mekong Summit is not only for travel and tourism stakeholders in the Greater Mekong Subregion alone. The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) invites travel professionals from both public and private sectors from all over the world to join. We have waived registration fees in order to assist travel and tourism professionals during these challenging times.
Emcees
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
Perfect Link Consulting
13:50 – 14:00
Introduction
Balanced Tourism Recovery for a better Future
Introduction of some of the initiatives that have been launched by Destination Mekong to help the region with a balanced tourism recovery
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
14:00 – 14:15
Chapter 1
The Disruption
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the world and has severely impacted the global travel and tourism industry. What are some of the learnings of good and bad practices on how destinations have reacted?
Speakers
University of South Carolina, USA
Author of the upcoming book "Covid-19 & Travel"
Moderator
Worldbank
14:30- 14:45
Chapter 2
The Recovery
What will consumers be demanding of the Mekong Region when we meet in Bagan for the Mekong Tourism Forum next February? How will the aviation situation look like in the next few months? What will the Tourism industry need to do to recover from the pandemic? What lessons could governments learn and what actions put in place by mid 2021 to take tourism to a firmer foundation?
Speakers
Royal Government of Thailand
Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Moderator
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
14:45 – 15:00
Chapter 3
The Governments
What are some of the effective recovery measures and policies put in place by Greater Mekong Subregion governments? How will governments continue to support businesses and mitigate job losses? Will the Greater Mekong Subregion countries implementing travel bubbles or bilateral agreements within and beyond the subregion?
Speakers
Royal Government of Cambodia
Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT)
Tourism Marketing Department, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lao PDR
Moderator
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
14:45 – 15:00
Chapter 4
The Middle Kingdom
What can we learn from China’s strategies in opening tourism domestically? What were some of the challenges and the solutions?
Speakers
Ministry of Culture and Tourism of PR China
The Linden Centre, Dali
Moderator
Go Kunming
15:00 – 15:15
Chapter 5
The Message
How should travel and tourism operators use the media? What is the right message to communicate now and over the next few months? What are some of the communication mistakes to be avoided?
Speakers
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Minor Hotels
Moderator
eGlobal Travel Media / Hotelintel
15:15 – 15:30
Chapter 6
The Take-Aways
Part 1
What are some of the DOs and DON’Ts, based on researching destinations all over the world?
Speaker
Horwath HTL
Moderator
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
15:30 – 15:45
Chapter 7
The Demand Side
What will be the potential of two key source markets for the Mekong Region – China and Japan? How best to market to these consumers and build relationships with the travel trade? What will be different post COVID-19?
Speakers
Dragon Trail Interactive
JTB Tourism Research & Consulting Co.
Moderator
Travel Weekly Asia
15:45 – 16:00
Chapter 8
The Supply Side
Senior executives from travel suppliers in the Greater Mekong Subregion – what are some of the best practices of travel companies to get ready post Covid-19? What are the challenges? How can the industry collaborate to accelerate tourism recovery together? Is sustainability a priority, or has it slipped?
Speakers
IATA (International Air Transport Association)
STR
Moderator
TTG Asia
16:00 – 16:15
Chapter 9
The Sustainability
NGOs will discuss the opportunity to restart tourism in a sustainable and responsible way, as well as the challenges in actually executing such a vision. How can restarting tourism integrate local communities and keep child protection in focus, as well as protect wildlife and conserve the environment by focusing on climate change and single use plastic pollution.
Speakers
Wildlife Conservation Society
ECPAT International
Moderator
GSTC - Global Sustainable Tourism Council
16:15 – 16:30
Chapter 10
The Take-Aways
Part 2
What are some of the DOs and DON’Ts, based on researching destinations all over the world?
Speaker
Horwath HTL
Moderator
Perfect Link Consulting
16:30 – 16:45
Chapter 11
The Collaboration
Introduction of the social media campaign Mekong Memories to create a content cloud of past experiences to inspire people to #TravelTomorrow, and the new Mekong Deals platform to feature non-refundable vouchers sold by travel operators to help survive the crisis.
Speakers
Yaana Ventures / Khiri Travel
Accor
Moderator
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
16:45 – 17:00
Chapter 12
The Future
What will the future hold? How will travel change? Which scenarios require which actions for a balanced tourism recovery in the Mekong Region?
Speaker
Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
Author of "Tourism Futures"
Moderator
17:00 – 17:15
Epilogue
The Shining Lights
Announcement of the 2020 Experience Mekong Showcases & 1st Mekong Hero
Speakers
EXO Travel Laos
Myanmar Tourism Marketing
Moderator
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
17:15 – 17:35
The Final Words
Balanced Tourism Recovery for a better Future
Experts suggesting tangible action steps for a balanced tourism recovery.
Speakers
World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
Royal Government of Thailand
Moderator
The SunX Program
17:35 – 18:00
Closing