CHIANG RAI, 11 June 2012 – Ministry of Tourism and Sports, in cooperation with Chiang Rai Province, is hosting the 29th GMS Tourism Working Group Meeting (TWG 29) and the Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) 2012 during June 11 – 15 at Dusit Island Resort Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai Province.
According to Mr. Chumpol Silapa-archa, Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism and Sports of Minister, the Thai Government realizes that tourism income has been a major revenue earner for Thailand. He added that the government aims to double the number of tourists in 2015 – 2016 and increase the tourism revenues to two trillion baht.
Accordingly, Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, in cooperation with Chiang Rai Province and Mekong Tourism Cooperation Office (MTCO), is hosting the Mekong Tourism Forum 2012, which is a great opportunity for the six member states of the Greater Mekong Sub-region, namely Cambodia, China (specifically Yunnan and Guangxi), Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, to discuss and exchange tourism development cooperation in the GMS region, especially on tourism profession and sustainable development, in order to promote GMS sustainable and outstanding tourism market.
As the host of the 29th GMS Tourism Working Group Meeting and the Mekong Tourism Forum 2012 during 11 – 15 June 2012, Thailand will organize the following activities:
Chiang Rai province has been chosen as the host city of the Mekong Tourism Forum 2012 due to its magnificent tourism resources, services and infrastructures. Moreover, Chiang Rai is a gateway to Myanmar and Laos. Since this year is an important year for Chiang Rai as it marks 750th anniversary of the city foundation, the hosting of the MTF 2012 is considered a great opportunity for Chiang Rai to celebrate this auspicious event with friends from GMS countries and other international partners.
