UNWTO Educational Seminar on Tourism Development in Mekong-Triangle Countries Started
story from Tokyo Development Learning CenterThis seminar is an endorsed event to commemorate ‘Japan-Mekong Exchange Year 2009’.
The Mekong Delta boasts a rich history, culture, and a precious natural environment. A two-day video conference seminar was held August 18-19, 2009 to help in the development of a sustainable growth of tourism in the region, by sharing Japanese expertise with representatives from public and private tourism-related sectors in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
140 participants attended the seminar at their respective locations: the Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center in Phnom Penh, the World Bank in Vientiane, and the Vietnam Development Information Center in Hanoi. These venues were connected with TDLC in Japan through video conference, in a bid to share and learn from Japan’s experience and knowledge in tourism.
Participants listen to a lecture on community-based tourism in Cambodia August 18 2009. Photo courtesy of APTEC
Akihiko Hosaka, Manager, Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) answers participants’ questions in Cambodia August 18 2009. Photo courtesy of APTEC
Jointly organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Asia-Pacific Tourism Exchange Center (APTEC) and the TDLC, the seminar began with introductory words from APTEC. The seminar renewed participants’ understanding that preservation and development of the rich resources in the Mekong Delta was key in the development of sustainable tourism in the region.
Seminar speakers at TDLC (from left): Yuichi Takehara, Japan Tourism Agency; Yasuhiro Iijima, APTEC; Ryu Fukui, TDLC; Kosuke Shibata, JATA. TDLC/Eriko Sugita
Cambodian Ministry of Tourism Deputy Director General In Thoeun delivers a speech from the Cambodia venue as Tokyo participants watch him live on screen August 18, 2009. TDLC/Eriko Sugita
A cooperative effort by the three countries, enhancing convenience and attraction for tourists, improves international competitiveness for the development of tourism in the overall Mekong Delta region. Lectures and active discussions were held during the seminar, with ideas and plans to promote mutual cooperation in order to attract tourists from Japan, neighboring Asian countries, Europe and North American markets.
This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Announcement: UNWTO Educational Seminar on Tourism Development in Mekong-Triangle Countries