The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) is a sub-regional economic cooperation programme designed to improve economic relations among the participating countries; Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam

The aims of the GMS Conference on Tourism’s Role in Poverty Reduction is to engage GMS countries, development partners as well as tourism stakeholders to share and exchange knowledge and lessons learned regarding pro-poor tourism development. It was organized by Vietnam’s National Tourism Administration (VNAT) and the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO).

Possibilities were introduced in which tourism results in raising net benefits for underprivileged people of the GMS. Best practice examples have been presented by guest speakers presenting the following topics:

·         Fostering Public-Private Sector Partnerships to Enhance and Sustain CBT for Local Communities in Lao PDR, Mr. Rik Ponne, International Team Leader, GMS Sustainable Tourism Development Project, Lao PDR

·         Lessons learnt from Community-based Tourism Planning and Development in Vietnam, Ms. Pham Thi Duyen Anh, Tourism Advisor, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, Vietnam

·         Recommendations & Solutions for Pro-Poor Tourism in the GMS, Mr. Kai Partale, Tourism Advisor EU-funded Environmentally & Socially Responsible Tourism Programme

·         Value Chain Development in Cambodia, Mr. William Willis, Project Management Specialist

·         Bringing Benefits with Multi-country Thematic Travel Routes: Heritage Mr. Luc Citrinot, Editor, Travel Daily News Asia