The Mekong Tourism Office has announced its new marketing plan, 2008-2011. The MTO's Senior Advisor, Mr Peter Semone (pictured), told GMS member countries that the priorities would be to consolidate resources, build credibility and win the confidence of the private sector over three phases of activity. Addressing delegates of the GMS Tourism Working Group Ad-hoc Meeting in Vientiane on December 3, he recommended that phase I of the plan should include:

1. Appointing a country coordinator for Mekong activities in each member NTO
2. Upgrading the MTO's website
3. Creating a Mekong Travel Planner for travel agents
4. Presenting MTO at international events
5. Facilitating subregional networking activities
6. Enhancing the MTO member database
7. Improving monthly updates to all stakeholders
8. Holding regular private sector advisory meetings, and
9. Carrying out market research
   Mr Semone told the 35 delegates that it was important for the MTO to get the basics right. "Later phases should include GDS engagement, social website capabilities with search engine optimization, media familiarization trips, re-establishing the Mekong Tourism Forum, and a visit GMS year," he said.

Source: Mekong Tourism Update — December 2007