Bangkok--Oct 19--PATA Communications
The countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) have prepared, with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank, a strategy for the sustainable development of the tourism sector between 2006 and 2015.
The strategy is directed at contributing towards the Millennium Development Goals of poverty reduction and environmental sustainability with gender equity as an important consideration throughout. More responsible partnership-based approaches to developing and managing the environmental, social and economic impacts of tourism are a key element of the strategy.
Several programme areas have been identified where action needs to be taken: promotion of the subregion as a single destination, human resource development, management of natural and cultural heritage and social impacts, pro-poor tourism for poverty reduction, private sector participation, cross-border facilitation of tourism movements, and development of tourism-related infrastructure-especially environmental and heritage protection infrastructure.
Twenty-nine strategic projects have been identified by the GMS countries to implement these programmes. Each of the GMS countries has undertaken to lead the implementation of one or more of these projects.
On the morning of Monday October 31, the ADB will host a half-day conference at which the GMS countries will present and discuss the strategy and projects with interested development partners, and seek their support to implement the projects.
The conference will be held at the new Asian Development Bank Office in Bangkok, Thailand. A copy of the Agenda and address is attached.
As you will see from the agenda, it is intended to hold a press briefing between 1230 and 1300 at the end of the meeting.
We would be pleased if you could attend this briefing. You are also welcome to participate in the conference itself.
Queries should be addressed, not to PATA, but to Mr Ludwig G Rieder at [email protected].
AGENDA
GMS Tourism Sector Strategy Meeting
31 October 2005
A. DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS CONFERENCE
0830 -0840: Welcome remarks by Ms. Thanitta Maneechote, Director General, Office of Tourism Development, Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sport
0840-0850: Introduction and Background to the Strategy by Mr. Arjun Thapan, Deputy Director General, Mekong Department, ADB
0850-0900 Presentation on the Goals and Objective of the Strategy by Mr. Alfredo Perdiguero, Economist, Mekong Department, ADB
0900-0930 Presentation on the programs of the Strategy by Mr. Ludwig Rieder, ADB Staff Consultant
0930-1000: Presentation by GMS countries on strategic projects:
1. Cambodia
2. Lao PDR
3. Myanmar
1000-1015 Morning refreshment
1015-1115: Presentation by GMS countries on strategic projects
(Continued):
4. People’s Republic of China-Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
5. People’s Republic of China-Yunnan Province
6. Thailand
7. Vietnam
1115-1200: Discussion
1200-1210: Presentation by Mr. Mr. Nicholas Morgan, Managing Director
Blue Nile Media
1210-1230 Closing Remarks
1230-1300 Press Briefing
1300-1400 Luncheon
Venue:-
Asian Development Bank
Thailand Resident Mission
23rd Floor, The Offices at Central World
999/9 Rama 1 Road, Bangkok
End.