Mekong Tourism Forum 2018 Zipevent

Agenda


26 June 2018

Time Session Speaker(s) Venue
08:30 - 08:30

MTF 2018 REGISTRATION & HOSPITALITY DESK OPENS

NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY
09:00 - 11:30

MEKONG INNOVATIVE STARTUP TOURISM (MIST) – TRAVEL STARTUP CONFERENCE

This session proves why MIST is unique among travel startup accelerator programs: the connection between startups and travel and tourism organizations for mutual benefit to build a sustainable and responsible tourism destination and ensure global competitiveness. MIST Startup Presentations will discuss the state of the travel startup eco-system in the GMS and ASEAN, and highlight successful travel startups in the region. MIST Startup Presentations will discuss the state of the travel startup eco-system in the GMS and ASEAN, and highlight successful travel startups in the region. More information at www.Mist.asia 9:00 Welcome and Opening Remarks Jason Lusk, Director, Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism 9:10 An Investor’s View of Travel Sector Innovation in the Greater Mekong Subregion Victor Chua, Vynn Capital (via conference call) 9:25 Innovation in Tours & Activities Clement Wong, Founder, BeMyGuest 9:40 Innovation in Hospitality Jason Richards, APAC Business Development Manager, CloudBeds 9:55 Innovation in Transportation Alberto Moreno, Founder, Bao Lau 10:10 Tea Break 10:25 Audience Talkback: What innovations are needed most urgently in Mekong tourism and hospitality? Small group discussions Report-outs 11:00 Panel Discussion: How can we make innovation responsive to the needs of Mekong tourism? And how can we get more of it? Moderator: Jason Lusk, Director, Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism Alberto Moreno, Founder, Bao Lau Jason Richards, APAC Business Development Manager, CloudBeds Clement Wong, Founder, BeMyGuest 11:20 Destination Mekong, Mekong Tourism, and the MIST Program: The role of startups and innovation in promoting the region Gerrit Kruger, Head of Operations, Destination Mekong 11:30 End of Conference
ALBERTO MORENO Zipevent

ALBERTO MORENO

CEO and Founder
CLEMENT WONG Zipevent

CLEMENT WONG

CEO & Founder
GERRIT KRUGER Zipevent

GERRIT KRUGER

Partner and Managing Director
JASON LUSK Zipevent

JASON LUSK

CEO
JASON RICHARDS Zipevent

JASON RICHARDS

Regional Manager - Asia-Pacific
VICTOR CHUA Zipevent

VICTOR CHUA

Managing Partner
NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - RAMA RAJ ROOM
11:30 - 12:00

WORKING WITH INFLUENTIAL CONTENT CREATORS

Matt Gibson, Outbound President of the Professional Travel Blogger Association (PTBA) reveals some tips and tricks how to develop mutual beneficial relationships with travel bloggers. MTF 2018 includes a Bloggers Lounge, which invites interested travel and tourism businesses to stop by to chat with bloggers.
MATT GIBSON Zipevent

MATT GIBSON

CEO
NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - RAMA RAJ ROOM
12:00 - 13:30

LUNCH

NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY
13:30 - 18:00

MEKONG MINI MOVIE FESTIVAL – 1ST ASIA FILM & DESTINATION CONFERENCE

Film has inspired millions to visit destinations. Learn from experts about the power of movie productions to user-generated videos and how they can be integrated into destination marketing. FILM CONFERENCE START TIME END TIME TOPIC 13:30 13:40 Emcee Joe Cummings – Editor, Talisman Media 13:40 13:50 Opening H.E. Mr. Pongpanu Svetarundra – Permanent Secretary, Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports 13:50 14:05 Promoting Destinations via Film Mr. Jens Thraenhart – Executive Director, Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office 14:05 14:25 Power of Visual Storytelling – Part 1 Mr. Rob Holmes – CEO, GLP Films (USA) 14:25 14:55 Competing for Movie Productions Ms. Sirinart Theenanondh – Chief of Film Business Promotion, Thailand Department of Tourism 14:55 15:15 Promoting Thailand via Visual Storytelling Ms. Titiporn Manenate – Director International Advertising, Tourism Authority of Thailand 15:15 15:35 Case Study: Hangover 2 – Lebua Hotel Bangkok Mr. Deepak Ohri – CEO, Lebua Hotels & Resorts 15:35 15:45 BREAK 15:45 16:05 Power of Visual Storytelling – Part 2 Mr. Vincent Sung – Journalist 16:05 16:25 Promoting Responsible Tourism via Visual Storytelling Mr.Gopinath Parayil – CEO & Founder – The Blue Yonder (India) 16:25 16:45 Video Bloggers promoting Destinations Mr. Polkrit Thomya – Producer, Hey ASEAN! 16:45 17:10 BREAK 17:10 17:30 Leveraging User-generated video content Mr. Gerrit Kruger – Managing Director, Chameleon Strategies 17:30 17:50 Promoting the Mekong Region via Visual Storytelling Mr. Jens Thraenhart – Executive Director, Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office 17:50 18:00 Closing Mr. Joe Cummings – Editor, Talisman Media
DEEPAK OHRI Zipevent

DEEPAK OHRI

CEO
GERRIT KRUGER Zipevent

GERRIT KRUGER

Partner and Managing Director
GOPINATH PARAYIL Zipevent

GOPINATH PARAYIL

CEO & Founder
JENS THRAENHART Zipevent

JENS THRAENHART

Executive Director
JOE CUMMINGS Zipevent

JOE CUMMINGS

Lonely Planet Author & Editor at Large
POLKRIT THOMYA (ART) Zipevent

POLKRIT THOMYA (ART)

CEO & Founder
PONGPANU SVETARUNDRA Zipevent

PONGPANU SVETARUNDRA

Permanent Secretary
ROB HOLMES Zipevent

ROB HOLMES

Founder & Chief Strategist
SIRINART THEENANONDH Zipevent

SIRINART THEENANONDH

Chief of Film Business Promotion
TITIPORN MANENATE Zipevent

TITIPORN MANENATE

Director International Advertising
VINCENT SUNG Zipevent

VINCENT SUNG

Writer/Editor & Contents Producer
WORATEERA SUVARNSORN Zipevent

WORATEERA SUVARNSORN

Director
NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - SRIKOTRABOON CONFERENCE CENTER (3RD FLOOR)
16:45 - 17:10

NETWORKING BREAK

NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY
18:00 - 18:30

MEKONG MINI MOVIE FESTIVAL – FILM SCREENING

Get inspired by the finalist mini movies in the first Mekong Mini Movie Festival, and vote for your favourite nomination per country to determine the country winners. Be part of making history and get engaged!
JENS THRAENHART Zipevent

JENS THRAENHART

Executive Director
PONGPANU SVETARUNDRA Zipevent

PONGPANU SVETARUNDRA

Permanent Secretary
TEAK SENG Zipevent

TEAK SENG

Cambodia Country Director
NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - SRIKOTRABOON CONFERENCE CENTER (3RD FLOOR)
19:00 - 21:00

MEKONG MINI MOVIE FESTIVAL – COCKTAIL RECEPTION

Hollywood comes to the Mekong Region. Walk down the Red Carpet, get photographed, mingle with regional film makers and tourism celebrities. Build a bridge between film and tourism. Celebrate tourism marketing collaboration to showcase the experiences in the Mekong Region. If you are engaged in travel and tourism in the GMS, you don’t want to miss this event!
BLU HOTEL NAKHON PHANOM

27 June 2018

Time Session Speaker(s) Venue
09:00 - 12:00

MEKONG INNOVATIVE STARTUPS IN TOURISM (MIST) – TRAVEL STARTUP PITCHES

Witness the MIST Showcase, where some of the most promising travel and hospitality startups will share their innovations with the Mekong tourism industry. 9:00 Welcome and Opening Remarks Jens Thraenhart, Executive Director, Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office Steven Schipani, Senior Portfolio Management Specialist, Asian Development Bank 9:15 Innovation Showcase Five early-stage startups will deliver 10-minute presentations about their business models and technology. Each presentation will include up to 5 additional minutes for questions and answers. 10:30 Tea Break 10:45 Innovation Showcase Three travel innovators will deliver 10-minute presentations about their business models and technology. Each presentation will include up to 5 additional minutes for questions and answers. 11:30 Structured Networking Meet the innovators! Our eight MIST innovators will be stationed at tables around the room. Meet them, interact with them, and schedule appointments for follow up. 5 finalists from Startup Accelerator They previously attended a boot camp May 17-22 in Ho Chi Minh City, where they competed against 14 other startups to join the program. • BambooLao (Lao PDR) produces reusable bamboo straws to replace single-use plastic straws. • VDEs – tìm kiếm địa điểm tổ chức tiệc cưới (Viet Nam) connects event planners with event venues and makes them bookable through their database. • Go Explore Vietnam (Viet Nam) organizes “workation” programs aimed at international and domestic remote workers. • SidesBag (Cambodia) is a mobile application enabling airline passengers to purchase available luggage allowance from fellow travelers. • Ecohost Vietnam (Viet Nam) improves the local homestay experience, improving the management of homestays and local activities while making them easier to book. 5 international travel and hospitality innovators for Market Access track. The MIST Market Access program invites innovators from around the world to solve tourism and hospitality industry challenges in the Greater Mekong Subregion. • Adventoro offers bucket-list worthy activities including whitewater rafting, jungle treks and diving excursions. Currently serving Malaysia, Adventoro will use the MIST Market Access Program to enter Viet Nam. • DidaTravel Technology, based in China, offers backend technology for hotel booking, providing real-time inventory and rates. • Moneybay provides a digital cross-border currency exchange platform. The Malaysian fintech makes it simple for tourist to make payments online and collect currency from a local partner. • Monkey Theory creates fun and happy experiences with branded sporting events – encouraging public health and social activity. • hereO, creator of the hero GPS watch for kids, offers plug-and-play IoT technology. It is considering IoT solutions for last-mile tourist transportation in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
GERRIT KRUGER Zipevent

GERRIT KRUGER

Partner and Managing Director
JASON LUSK Zipevent

JASON LUSK

CEO
JENS THRAENHART Zipevent

JENS THRAENHART

Executive Director
STEVEN SCHIPANI Zipevent

STEVEN SCHIPANI

Senior Portfolio Management Specialist
NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - RAMA RAJ ROOM
12:00 - 13:30

LUNCH

NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY
13:30 - 15:30

MEKONG TOURISM FORUM – OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY

The Mekong Tourism Forum 2018 Official Opening Ceremony, presided by the Vice Minister of Tourism & Sports of Thailand and the Governor of Nakhon Phanom Province will celebrate successful tourism collaboration in the GMS. Opening Remarks H.E. Mr. Itthiphol Kunplome Ministry of Tourism & Sports Thailand Vice Minister Opening Remarks H.E. Mr. Somchai Vitdamrong Nakhon Phanom Province Governor Opening Remarks Mr. Steven Schipani Asian Development Bank Senior Portfolio Specialist Opening Remarks Mr. Jens Thraenhart Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office Executive Director
ITTHIPHOL KUNPLOME Zipevent

ITTHIPHOL KUNPLOME

Vice Minister - Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand
JENS THRAENHART Zipevent

JENS THRAENHART

Executive Director
SOMCHAI VITDAMRONG Zipevent

SOMCHAI VITDAMRONG

Provincial Governor
STEVEN SCHIPANI Zipevent

STEVEN SCHIPANI

Senior Portfolio Management Specialist
NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - SRIKOTRABOON CONFERENCE CENTER (3RD FLOOR)
15:30 - 16:00

NETWORKING RECEPTION

NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY
15:30 - 16:00

PRESS CONFERENCE

ITTHIPHOL KUNPLOME Zipevent

ITTHIPHOL KUNPLOME

Vice Minister - Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand
JENS THRAENHART Zipevent

JENS THRAENHART

Executive Director
SOMCHAI VITDAMRONG Zipevent

SOMCHAI VITDAMRONG

Provincial Governor
STEVEN SCHIPANI Zipevent

STEVEN SCHIPANI

Senior Portfolio Management Specialist
NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - RAMA RAJ ROOM
16:00 - 18:30

MEKONG TOURISM FORUM – TRANSFORMING TRAVEL

On Wednesday afternoon, discussions ranging from Buddhist Tourism to Responsible Tourism focus on the potential of transforming travel and people’s lives. 16:00 16:10 Emcee – Opening Dr. Jutamas Wisansing – CEO, Perfect Link Consulting 16:10 16:30 Transforming Travel Keynote Mr. Jeremy Smith – Author, “Transforming Travel” 16:30 16:55 A Day in a Buddhist Temple Malao StudiosThe Buddhist Circuits of Southeast AsiaMr. Lim Kooi Fong – Founder, BuddhistTravel.com 16:55 17:30 Panel: Buddhist Tourism in the Mekong Region Moderator: Mr. Imtiaz Muqbil, Editor – Travel Impact Newswire Panelists: Mr. Lim Kooi Fong – Founder, BuddhistTravel.com Mr. Malraj Kiriella – Former CEO, Sri Lanka Tourism Dr. Kanokrot Phalakornkul – Editor, 5000s Magazine Mr. Somchai Vitdamrong – Governor, Nakhon Phanom Provincial Government 17:30 17:45 Child Welfare in Tourism Guide Mr. James Sutherland – Communications Manager, Friends International 17:45 18:00 Mekong Trends Report on Responsible Tourism Mr. Jens Thraenhart – Executive Director, Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office 18:00 18:30 Panel: Experience Mekong Collection Showcases Moderator: Dr. Walanchalee Wattanacharoensil – Professor, Mahidol University International College Panelists: Ms. Momoko Ikeuchi – Sales Manager, Phare Circus (Cambodia) Mr. Somsak Boonkam – CEO & Founder, LocalAlike (Thailand) Ms. Phitsamai Sipaza – Assistant Manager, Ock Pop Tok Living Arts Center (Laos) Ms. Yin Myo Su – CEO & Founder, Inle Heritage (Myanmar) Mr. Zhu Jinsheng (Jason) – Deputy Party Secretary, Guilin Tourism University (Representing: Longji Rice Terraces, Guangxi, PR China) Closing Dr. Jutamas Wisansing – CEO, Perfect Link Consulting
DR. JUTAMAS WISANSING Zipevent

DR. JUTAMAS WISANSING

Executive Consultant – Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration
DR. KANOKROT PHALAKORNKUL Zipevent

DR. KANOKROT PHALAKORNKUL

Editor
DR. WALANCHALEE WATTANACHAROENSIL Zipevent

DR. WALANCHALEE WATTANACHAROENSIL

Assistant Professor
IMTIAZ MUQBIL Zipevent

IMTIAZ MUQBIL

Executive Editor
JAMES SUTHERLAND Zipevent

JAMES SUTHERLAND

International Communications Coordinator
JENS THRAENHART Zipevent

JENS THRAENHART

Executive Director
JEREMY SMITH Zipevent

JEREMY SMITH

Co-founder & Editor
LIM KOOI FONG Zipevent

LIM KOOI FONG

Founder
MALRAJ KIRIELLA Zipevent

MALRAJ KIRIELLA

Former Director General
MOMOKO IKEUCHI Zipevent

MOMOKO IKEUCHI

Sales Manager
PAI-SOMSAK BOONKAM Zipevent

PAI-SOMSAK BOONKAM

CEO & Founder
PHITSAMAI SIPAZA Zipevent

PHITSAMAI SIPAZA

Assistant Manager
SOMCHAI VITDAMRONG Zipevent

SOMCHAI VITDAMRONG

Provincial Governor
YIN MYO SU Zipevent

YIN MYO SU

Founder
ZHU JINSHENG Zipevent

ZHU JINSHENG

Deputy Party Secretary of School of International Education and Exchange
NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - SRIKOTRABOON CONFERENCE CENTER (3RD FLOOR)
19:00 - 21:30

MEKONG TOURISM FORUM – GALA AWARDS DINNER

The Mekong Tourism Forum 2018 Gala Dinner will follow the Opening Ceremony with local delicacies, traditional performances, and the unveiling of the MIST 2018 Winners, as well as the Experience Mekong Collection Showcases.
ITTHIPHOL KUNPLOME Zipevent

ITTHIPHOL KUNPLOME

Vice Minister - Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand
IHOTEL CONVENTION CENTER - NAKHON PHANOM

28 June 2018

Time Session Speaker(s) Venue
08:30 - 11:30

MEKONG TOURISM FORUM – PLENARY KEYNOTE SESSIONS

Mekong Tourism Forum 2018, focused on the theme “Transforming Travel – Mekong Tourism Forum 2018, focused on the theme “Transforming Travel – Transforming Lives” will bring together inspiring speakers from various sectors of the industry to tackle the topic from different sides. Open your eyes and minds how travel is being transformed in these very exciting times. For the second time, we have our “Mekong Opportunities & Threats” session, this year focused on the issue of Plastic Pollution in the Greater Mekong Subregion and Southeast Asia. START TIME END TIME TOPIC 08:30 08:45 PERFORMANCE 08:45 09:00 OPENING REMARKS Mr. Jens Thraenhart – Executive Director, MTCO 09:00 09:15 MTF 2018/2019 FLAG HANDOVER (FROM THAILAND TO P.R. CHINA / YUNNAN) Remarks from MTF 2019 Host 09:20 09:35 KEYNOTE 1 – SHARING ECONOMY Ms. Mich Goh – Head of Public Policy SEA, AirBnB 09:40 09:55 KEYNOTE 2 – HUMAN CAPITAL Ms. Yin Myo Su – CEO, Inle Heritage 09:55 10:15 BREAK 10:15 10:30 MEKONG OPPORTUNITIES & THREATS – PLASTIC POLLUTION KEYNOTE: Mr. Jeremy Smith – Author, Transforming Travel 10:30 11:00 MEKONG OPPORTUNITIES & THREATS – PLASTIC POLLUTION (INITIATIVES FROM THE REGION) Moderator: Ms. Gili Back – Sustainability Manager, Khiri Travel 11:00 11:30 MEKONG OPPORTUNITIES & THREATS – PLASTIC POLLUTION (OPEN FORUM & LAUNCH OF PLASTIC FREE PLEDGE)
FANG LIMIN Zipevent

FANG LIMIN

Researcher of Market and Promotion Department
GILI BACK Zipevent

GILI BACK

Sustainability Manager
JENS THRAENHART Zipevent

JENS THRAENHART

Executive Director
JEREMY SMITH Zipevent

JEREMY SMITH

Co-founder & Editor
MICH GOH Zipevent

MICH GOH

Head of Public Policy, Southeast Asia
YIN MYO SU Zipevent

YIN MYO SU

Founder
NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - SRIKOTRABOON CONFERENCE CENTER (3RD FLOOR)
12:00 - 17:00

MEKONG TOURISM FORUM – VILLAGE EXPERIENCE

The Mekong Tourism Village Experience is living the theme of “Transforming Travel – Transforming Lives” by being the first conference to stage actual conference session in ethnic community-based villages, and engaging both delegates and villagers together for a uniquely immersive and transformative experience. The pioneering concept allows for people from different walks of life to connect and learn from each other. Eight thematic sessions in eight ethnic villages, including a warm village welcome, a traditional lunch, engaging sessions, and interactive village activities from weaving to farming, will make this a true highlight of MTF 2018. The thematic sessions and the respective facilitators include: 1. Organic Tourism (Mr. Arrut Navaraj – CEO, Sampran Riverside Resort) 2. Adventure Tourism (Mr. Matt Gibson – CEO, UpThink) 3. Festivals Tourism (Dr. Jutamas Wisansing – CEO, Perfect Link) 4. Heritage Tourism (Mr. Luc Citrinot – Editor, ASEAN.travel) 5. Religious Tourism (Ms. Siew Meng Erina Loo – SG, SEA Tour Guide Association) 6. Wellness Tourism (Mr. Nick Day – Marketing Manager, GoCo Hospitality) 7. Food Tourism (Mr. Vincent Vichit-Vadakan – Journalist, Le Flux Asia) 8. Eco Tourism (Mr. Peter Richards – Consultant, UN ITC) Interested delegates will require to register for the session, which includes a limited edition traditional village shirt from the respective village, that is required to be worn for the sessions. Each village is unique, and no experience will be the same. For more information about the MTF 2018 Village Experience sessions, please visit: http://mekongtourismforum.org/index.php/sessions/
ARRUT NAVARAJ Zipevent

ARRUT NAVARAJ

Managing Director
DR. JUTAMAS WISANSING Zipevent

DR. JUTAMAS WISANSING

Executive Consultant – Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration
ERINA LOO Zipevent

ERINA LOO

Secretary General
LUC CITRINOT Zipevent

LUC CITRINOT

Managing Editor
MATT GIBSON Zipevent

MATT GIBSON

CEO
NICK DAY Zipevent

NICK DAY

Marketing Communications Manager
PETER RICHARDS Zipevent

PETER RICHARDS

Consultant
VINCENT VICHIT-VADAKAN Zipevent

VINCENT VICHIT-VADAKAN

Food Journalist
ETHIC VILLAGES IN NAKHON PHANOM
18:00 - 21:00

MEKONG TOURISM FORUM – FAREWELL FOOD FESTIVAL

The Mekong Tourism Forum 2018 Food Festival will bring together Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese food, and enough material for engaging conversations, with delegates wearing their villages shirts. Local restaurants will cook their specialities to show the power of food as a fabric of experiential and creative tourism.
FORTUNE RIVERSIDE HOTEL NAKHON PHANOM

29 June 2018

Time Session Speaker(s) Venue
08:00 - 18:00

MEKONG TOURISM FORUM – TECHNICAL POST TOURS

Range of half-day to multi-day post-MTF technical tours to experience Nakhon Phanom’s unique tourism offerings. For a list of available MTF 2018 Post Tours please visit: http://mekongtourismforum.org/index.php/post-tours/ Important: By registering for a post tour, you waive any liability of accidents. You are responsible to get to the indicated pick-up locations on time. Any tour is between the host and the delegate; MTCO only facilitates the registration process. Any payment is to be made directly with the operator. These tours are provided by the operators free of charge, or at a significant discount, in order to showcase tourism experiences in Nakhon Phanom and Northeastern Thailand in Isaan Region to delegates of MTF 2018. Please bring your MTF 2018 name badge to your tour. Register online at http://takeme.tours/mtf2018 Powered by MIST Alumni TakeMeTour Nakhon Phanom City Tour Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Nakhon Phanom Province Friday, June 29: 08:00-11:00 / 14:00-17:00 Nakhon Phanom is in the northeastern region of Thailand, approximately 734 km northeast of Bangkok and 378 km southwest of Hanoi, Vietnam. It borders Laos on the Khamoun Province or the Tha Khaek district. The city has a beautiful landscape, with the Mekong River running adjacent to the city, marking the current border between Thailand and Laos. The population of Nakhon Phanom is a diverse mix of Thais, Thai-Vietnamese, Thai-Chinese, and perhaps a few Thai-Indians. The main languages spoken are Thai, Isaan, and Vietnamese, Isaan being the most popular of them. The primary culture is Lao, as Isaan was part of Laos until the late 19th century. Although a small city, Nakhon Phanom is famous for its centuries-old temples and beautiful landscape. The city has a reserved and traditional Isaan culture. A traveller may well find the residents of the city very hospitable and kind. First starts to visit Wat Maha That. Wat Maha That is one of the sacred stupa for those who born on Saturday. It holds a believe that whoever who comes to make worship will gain merit and charisma as well as have a good destiny for the entire life. Visiting the former governor’ house which is at the moment a museum, builded in old colonial western architecture style. Visiting St.Anna’Church Nong Saeng which is considered to be an outstanding for its timeless beautiful architecture in Nakhon Phanom. The building is distinctive for its gothic style of architecture. Website: Nakhon Phanom Tourism Register online at http://takeme.tours/mtf2018 Phra That Phanom Tour Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Nakhon Phanom Province Friday, June 29: 08:00-16:00 The most important Buddhist site in the province, Phra That Phanom features a 53-meter-tall, square-shaped pagoda, which is a Laotian-influenced shape of numerous pagodas found around the area. It is believed that Phra That Phanom was originally built before the 12th Buddhist century, but it entirely collapsed on August 11, 1975 after several days of rainstorm. The current pagoda was later build according to the former design by local donations. Shine underneath the sun atop the pagoda is a 110-kilogram solid gold spire. Register online at http://takeme.tours/mtf2018 Bike Tour along Mekong River Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Nakhon Phanom Province Friday, June 29: 06:00-10:00 Saturday, June 30: 06:00-10:00 Nakhon Phanom is situated along the Mekong River which is the only province in Thailand where you can ride a bicycle along the Mekong River with the distance of 74 km. You can enjoy riding a bicycle with the most beautiful scenery of Mekong River. Started on Soonthorn Wijit Road in front of Wat Phra In Plaeng then cycling along the bike trail along the Mekong river through various attractions. Register online at http://takeme.tours/mtf2018 Thai-Vietnamese Village Experience Ban Na Chok Village Friday, June 29: 08:00-11:00 / 14:00-17:00 Thai-Vietnamese Village (Ban Na Chok village) is the place where Vietnamese communist leader Ho Chi Minh had resided for 7 years and used this place as the center of Vietnam’s liberalization from France during 1924 – 1931. Nowadays, Uncle Ho’s house becomes a museum and a place to display the biography of Ho Chi Minh. On this post-forum tour, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Nakhon Phanom Province will transfer participants to the village by local transport called “Skylab” (3 Wheels motorbike). There will be a short tour of the village including visiting local community as well as experiencing Vietnamese tea and snacks. Register online at http://takeme.tours/mtf2018 Fishery Village Experience Friday, June 29: 08:00-16:00 The Songkram River is a large tributary of the Mekong River which runs through the northern part of northeast Thailand. Taking a long-tail boat tour of local fishermen and learn about fishing equipment in Pakyam village and then visit Tarbor village which is well-known in this area for fishing and pickled fish. On this post-forum tour, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Nakhon Phanom Province will transfer participants to the village. There will be a short tour of the village including visiting local community as well as experiencing local fish dishes and OTOP products. Register online at http://takeme.tours/mtf2018 SunTree Art & Culture Organic Market Experience Saturday, June 30: 08:30-12:00 SunTree Art & Culture Organic Market is a brand new tourist attraction which will be officially launched in September 2018. The concept of establishing a market is to be “Happy Center” and the beginning of travel journey in Nakhon Phanom. Standing on the banks of Mekong River including 9 beautiful “Jamjuree tree (Rain tree)” which is become the name of Suntree (Soontree). On this post-forum tour, you can enjoy a half-day tour and learn about the philosophy of Sufficiency Economy, a story of organic farming and herbs and experience a cooking class, desserts and local beverages. There will also be a bamboo or banana leaf workshop facilitated by local people and enjoy canoeing to explore Mekhong River in Nakhon Phanom. Register online at http://takeme.tours/mtf2018
NAKHON PHANOM
10:00 - 12:00

MEKONG TOURISM ADVISORY GROUP – METAG MEETING

The Mekong Tourism Advisory Group is open to active and passionate travel and tourism professionals from public and private sectors, active in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The agenda of the MTF 2018 MeTAG Meeting will consist of: • Review and feedback of 2018 Mekong Tourism Forum • Ideas for 2019 Mekong Tourism Forum in PR China • Experience Mekong Collection & Showcases • Mekong Moments • Mekong Mini Movie Festival • Mekong Trends Report on Responsible Tourism • Future Mekong Trends Reports • Mekong Tourism Special Interest Groups • Discussions about other potential projects • Funding for projects, executed by Destination Mekong Please send an email to jens at mekongtourism.org if you are interested in joining the MeTAG Meeting. Due to limited space, RSVP is very much appreciated. Active and constructive participation is desired.
GERRIT KRUGER Zipevent

GERRIT KRUGER

Partner and Managing Director
JENS THRAENHART Zipevent

JENS THRAENHART

Executive Director
R PHOTO HOTEL