Regional countries target $53 bln tourism revenue by 2015
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Countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) are stepping up efforts to implement the GMS Tourism Sector Strategy's joint marketing and promotion program to help achieve the target of 52 million international tourist arrivals and $53 billion in sub-regional tourism revenue by 2015, according to a recent regional forum.
The forum, organized by the Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA) and Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office in Pakse, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, were sponsored by The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other public and private sector organizations.
With the assistance of ADB, a strategy has been developed by Cambodia, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province of China, Lao, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam to promote quality sub-regional tourism that spreads the benefits more widely and contributes to poverty reduction and sustainable development while minimizing negative impacts.
"The GMS Tourism Sector Strategy includes 29 priority projects and seven strategic programs that focus on marketing and product development, human resource development, heritage conservation and social impact management, pro-poor tourism development, private sector participation, facilitation of the movement of tourists within the sub-region, and tourism-related infrastructure development," said Craig Steffensen, Country Director of ADB's Thailand Resident Mission.
During a recent mid-term review of the strategy, GMS Tourism Ministers directed the six-country GMS Tourism Working Group (TWG) to focus on promoting pro-poor tourism development, strengthen tourism-related human resources, and jointly promote the development of thematic, multi-country tour routes linked to the iconic Mekong River.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, in 2010 the Mekong region generated approximately $22.1 billion in economic output linked to travel, shopping, entertainment, transportation and other tourism-related services.
However, a long running annual increase in international arrivals was briefly derailed in 2009 due to the global economic downturn. Growth rebounded strongly in 2010 when the GMS surpassed the historic milestone of 30 million international arrivals for that year.
"This impressive growth and resilience is mainly due to the sub-region’s highly competitive cost structure, rapidly improving sub-regional connectivity, liberalization of immigration policies, and increasing affluence among the GMS population," Steffensen added.
Members of the TWG at last year’s event revived the Mekong Tourism Forum as one of the sub-region’s flagship events to promote emerging Mekong destinations and serve as a platform to exchange knowledge on sustainable tourism.
ADB, together with the six GMS governments and their development partners, are supporting the sub-regional tourism cooperation program by investing in public infrastructure such as roads, sanitation, water and power supply along with complimentary investments in technical and vocational education, biodiversity conservation, and promotion of pro-poor tourism policies.
It has provided $58.7 million in loan and grant assistance to the GMS tourism industry in 2003-2011.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration.
Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members - 48 from the region. In 2010, ADB approvals, including, co-financing, totaled $17.51 billion. In addition, ADB’s ongoing Trade Finance Program supported $2.8 billion in trade.
