Myanmar delegation attends 51st Meeting of GMS Tourism Working Group (TWG-51), MTCO Board Meeting, and Mekong Tourism Forum 2023

The 51st Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion Tourism Working Group (TWG-51), the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) Board Meeting, and the Mekong Tourism Forum 2023 were hosted by Cambodia at the Independence Hotel in Presihanu State on 25 and 26 April.
Leaders of the Greater Mekong Subregion Tourism Authority, regional tourism professionals, government and private representatives, and the Myanmar Tourism Federation, led by Director-General U Maung Maung Kyaw of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism under the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, as well as officials from the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association (MTEA), participated in the meeting.
The development of the tourism industry in Myanmar, the views and opinions of Myanmar on the restoration of the Mekong tourism website, the operation status of the MTCO for the regional development of tourism through social networks, the signing of the MTCO Establishment Agreement, and issues to be coordinated by member countries for the MTCO to obtain the status of legal standing were discussed at the GMS Tourism Working Group Meeting (TWG-51) and the MTCO Board Meeting on 25 April.
The Mekong Tourism Forum 2023 continued on 26 April under the theme of “Rethinking for Resilience and Digitalization”. At the forum, professionals in the international and Mekong region tourism industry, and entrepreneurs from tourism and related businesses conferred about strengthening the tourism industry in the Mekong region, promoting multi-sectoral participation in the tourism industry, the sustainability of food resources by member countries, the creation and promotion of local traditional food of member countries in a clean manner, based on the preferences of tourists, the digitalized promotion of tourism and destinations, enhancing the participation of women in tourism, the need for review by the Mekong Tourism Authority for the proper training and development of tourism human resources, and issues of cooperation.
In connection with the Mekong Tourism Forum 2023, an exhibition programme of regional tourism attractions and related services was held, and two booths from Myanmar participated in it, showing Myanmar’s destinations, traditional cultures, and food. About 250 government and private tourism representatives from 19 countries attended the forum and the exhibition.
Myanmar will host the 52nd Meeting of the GMS Tourism Working Group (TWG-52) and the MTCO Board Meeting in November 2023. — MNA/CT