As of 11 December 2013

32

nd

MEETING OF THE GMS TOURISM WORKING GROUP (TWG-32)
Kompot Province, Kingdom of Cambodia
6 December 2013

DRAFT SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS

Introduction

1.

The 32nd Meeting of the GMS Tourism Working Group (TWG-32) was held in Kompot
Province, Kingdom of Cambodia, on 6 December2013, attended by representatives of the National
Tourism Organizations (NTOs) of the six GMS countries (Cambodia, PRC, Lao PDR, Myanmar,
Thailand, and Viet Nam), the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), and the Asian
Development Bank (ADB). A List of Participants is in Appendix 1.

Opening Session

2.
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Tith Chantha, Secretary of State of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism,
Cambodia express his appreciation to the member of GMS countries, development partners and
representative from ministries and institutions, especially to ADB for the support of GMS tourism
development. At the TWG-32 in Guilin, PRC the meeting had discussed and agreed on key projects
principle and implementation. He trusted that this meeting will result in many initiative to be further
develop with a high GMS spirit of cooperation. He wished participants a successful meeting.
3.
Mr. Steven Schipani, Social Sector Specialist, Southeast Asia Department, ADB expressed
his thanks to Cambodia for hosting TWG-32 meeting and all member countries for their participation.
He congratulated the tourism working for the recognition and cooperation of the country to country
assistance. The tourism working group were among the first group to proposal several project under
the GMS Regional Investment Framework resulting in 10 tourism investment projects and 8 technical
assistance projects. The first technical project to be approve will be for strengthening the Mekong
Tourism Coordinating Office.
4.

Mr. Mason Florence, Executive Director, MTCO, expressed his gratitude and congratulate to
H.E. Tith Chantha for all the support to the GMS Tourism Working Group, and his sincere
appreciation to the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia for hosting the meeting at Bokor Mountain, Kompot
province - an emerging and excitement destination. He also like to thank you all member of GMS
counties and all development partner for participating this meeting.

5.

Copies of the opening remarks are in Appendix 2.

Agenda Item 1:

Adoption of the Agenda

6.
The Meeting was chaired by Mr. Sok Sokun, Director, Tourism Planning Development
Department, Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia and co-chaired by Mr. Steven Schipani, ADB.
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As of 11 December 2013

7.

The Meeting adopted the provisional agenda, copy in Appendix 3.

Agenda Item 2:

Business Arrangements

8.
The meeting secretariat informed the participants about the arrangements for the TWG-32
and the Closed Meeting of the MTCO Board on 7 December2013. The meeting was held in plenary.
Secretariat support was provided by the MTCO.
Agenda Item 3:

Report and Follow-up of the 31st GMS Tourism Working Group Meeting
and Mekong Tourism Forum 2013, 18 19 June 2013, Guilin, Guangxi,
PRC

9.

31st GMS Tourism Working Group was held on 18 June 2013 at Guilin Waterfall Hotel, Guilin,
Guangxi, PRC attended by Mr. Wu Wenxue, Deputy General of CNTA, Mr. Huang Junhua, Mayor of
Guilin City, Mr. Huang Rifu, Deputy General of GXTA, Mr. Hamid Sharif, Country Director, PRC
Resident Mission, ADB, Mr. Steven Schipani, Social Sector Specialist, Southeast Asia Department,
ADB, Mr. Mason Florence, Executive Director, MTCO and delegates from Cambodia, China, Lao
PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

10.
Mekong Tourism Forum 2013 was held on 19 June 2013 participated by over 150 participants
from government, private sector, and media follow by the technical tour on 20 June 2013. The
meeting and the forum discussed about the grand momentum of economic development, and the
potential impact of the coming rush of Chinese tourists.
Agenda Item 4:

Subregional Joint Marketing Program: Progress Report by MTCO

Executive Director

11.

Mr. Florence, MTCO, reported on statistic of visitor to www.mekongtourism.org website since

2005 2013. There was a peak of number of visitor in 2007 and drop dramatically in 2009, then a
steady growth till present. The estimate number of visitor in 2013 is 1.8 million. He also reported on
the revamp of the mekongtouris.org website. The web design is almost complete and in the state for
transfer in date from existing website to the new web page. The new site will include Social Media
incorporation, Industry & Travel news, and Interactive Country Icon and User Content section. The
new site will be operate in Drupal Content Management System allow easy access to add in new
content or edit existing content.

12.
As proposed at TWG-31 the MTCO Communication plan was update as follow: Press Release
was update at www.mekongtourism.org, Press Conference will be held to announce the Mekong
Tourism Forum 2014 and Press Trip was organized at the same time as TWG-32 meeting and more
will be organized for 2014. The two private public partnership projects were also update. The Mekong
Giveaway Campaign in partnership with FreePlayo.com will be launch next January. In September
2013 MTCO organized Public-Private meeting supported by the department of Tourism, Thailand for
comment from public and private sector on How to Sell the Mekong project. Currently 50 pages text
draft is completed and will be circulate for TWG feedback within December 2013.
13.
Mr. Florence also reported on MTCOs participation in several regional speaking
engagements between June and November 2013. He also outlined his planned participation in
several events in 2014; June Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+), Bangkok, Thailand, September
PATA Travel Mart, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, September International Travel Exhibition, HCMC, Viet
Nam, and October ITB Asia, Singapore.
Open Discussion:

As of 11 December 2013

14.
Thailand expressed their concern about the website statistic and would like to hear the
comment from other sector.
15.
Mr. Matin Criag, CEO, PATA stated that the website serve a very useful purpose in modern
sense to promote GMS tourism. As to other website, there is a consistence update requirement and
encourage NTOs to involve more by providing the information to keep the website up to date. He also
stated the importance of website analysis system which would be able to provide more accurate and
useful detail of the website activities.
16.

Vietnam expressed the concern on the website content provider and how will they be validate
or approve by NTO and request more information on the press trip. Mr. Florence response that the
content were separate into 2 categories. Permanent content such as GMS general information,
history, etc. will be validate by NTO before uploading on the website. Other content would be fresh
will be created and moderated by MTCO. Press trip detail will be vary depending on the host country.
During this meeting Cambodia offer to host the press trip while the media are in the country. MTCO
reach out to other NTO for the media transport arrangement to and from Cambodia such as Tourism
Authority of Thailand and Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

17.
Mr. Schipani concern on lack of web planning and the user generated content management
which would be hard to control. MTCO planned to consolidate all website content under one website
with the objective to increase a number of visitor, their length of stay and increase their spending in
GMS. MTCO will try its best to moderate the user generated content with available resources and
would like to seek further comment from Mr. Jens Thraenhart, Founder, Digital Invovation Asia.
18.

Mr. Thraenhart agreed that the strategy plan is need to identify the clear objective and to
create value to the intended target. Perhaps the issue is not how to create the website but how to
create a website present so that the site is known and valuable for the target group.

Agenda Item 5:
5.1

Implementation of GMS Tourism Sector Strategy Priority Programs

GMS Country Project Updates by GMS Countries
Tourism Arrivals in 2013 (Q1-3)
Updates on Border Check Points
Updates on GMS TSS Priority Projects

19.
Cambodia reported that international tourist arrivals in 2012 reached 3,584,307 (+24.4%),
Tourists from the Asia-Pacific region represented a 75.7% share while ASEAN represented 42.2%
share. For January-October 2013, international tourist arrivals totalled 3.4 million (+18.3%), with the
top ten markets consisting of Viet Nam, PRC, ROK, Lao PDR, Thailand, Japan, U.S.A., Australia,
Malaysia and France. Major modes of arrivals were by air (48%) and land and water ways (52%).
There were 20 international check point to Cambodia including Phnom Penh International Airport,
Siem Reap International Airport and Sihanouk Ville Airport.
20.
Cambodia also reported on developments regarding the Southern Coastal Corridor.
Cambodia became a member of the most beautiful bay in the world in 2011 and celebrated its 2nd
Sea Festival in Keb Province during 7 and 8 December 2013. Cambodia also prepared the strategic
guidelines for Sustainable Tourism on the Khmer Coast, supported by University of Sunshine Coast.
The GMS Tourism Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth project is implemented in Koh Kong, Kampot
and Keb provinces, including Kampot Tourism Pier which will link to the neighbouring countries.
21.
PRC CNTA reported that from January to September 2013, they received 41.34 million
international tourist with total receipt of USD 35.47 billion and 2.46 billion domestic tourism with total
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As of 11 December 2013

revenue of USD19.20 billion. Primarily source of tourist to China were from Korea, Japan, Russian,
United States and etc. Outbound tourist destination include Korea, Thailand, United States, Japan,
Cambodia, Vietnam and etc. Number of Chinese tourist travelled to GMS countries during January to
October 2013 were: 1.5 million to Cambodia, 188,900 to Laos, 467,500 to Myanmar, 3.5 million to
Thailand and 1.4 million to Vietnam.

22.

Under the GMS TSS, Guangxi was supporting (i) China-Viet Nam cross-border tourism
cooperation; and (ii) training of senior tourism administration officials and education administrators
from the GMS and other regions at the Guilin Institute of Tourism (GIT) (iii) Improved regional cultural
and traditional folk customs protection, inherit and tourism development and (iv) Pan-Beibu Gulf
tourism cooperation and Two Corridors One Circle project. Guangxi also reported on GMS related
projects include the TWG-31 and MTF 2013 in Guilin and GMS Tourism Management Course at GIT.
In2012, Guangxi received 1.07 million ASEAN tourist (+20.5%) accounted for 52.98% of foreign
tourists. From January to September 2013, the total number of inbound international tourist reached
2.96 million (+10.84%) with tourists from ASEAN countries of 0.84 million (+5.86%). Guangxi shall
continue to develop: the Pan-Beibu Bay Tourism Circle, Transportation Cooperation and Innovative
Marketing to promote GMS as a Single Destination, China-Vietnam Two Corridors one Circle
Cooperation, and will establish more direct flight between Guangxi and ASEAN.

23.
PRC Yunnan reported that international tourist arrivals in 2012 reached 3,297,746
(+17.36%), domestic tourists arrivals reached 197,583,600 (+20.20%), and arrivals on one day trip
reached 4,285,800 (+16.35%). Total foreign exchange earnings from tourism reached $1.947 billion
(+21.04%). For Q1-3 2013, international tourist arrivals reached 2,883,099 (+18.61%), domestic
tourists reached 184,257,522 (+20.23%), and arrivals on one day trip reached 3,642,300 (+21.11%).
Total foreign exchange earnings from tourism reached $1.7 billion (+18.99%). Yunnan had 3
international airports, 3 border checkpoints with Viet Nam, 1 checkpoint with Lao PDR, and one with
Myanmar. There were 2 news initiatives for border check point include (i) issued newly designed
document to facilitate outbound Chinese to Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar and (ii) approved investment
to improve facilities and better customs clearance services. Under the TSS and with funding from
CNTA, Yunnan Provincial Tourism Development Commission was implementing training exchange
programs for tourism officials and senior enterprise administrative staff from Northern Viet Nam,
Northern Lao PDR, and Myanmar. Related activities were being carried out to further implement the
Golden Quadrangle Tourism Area covering Xishuangbanna in Yunnan, Northern Lao PDR,
Northeastern Myanmar, and Northern Thailand. To market Yunnan tourism and also the GMS as a
single tourism destination, yunnaninfo.com in English and Thai versions was helping to promote
tourism resources and products of the other 5 GMS countries in the Chinese market.
24.
Lao PDR reported that in 2012, tourist arrivals reached 3,330,072, generating revenues of
$513.57 million of which international tourism represented 54% and regional tourism 46%,
respectively. Major source markets were Asia and the Pacific, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the
Middle East. The top 10 tourist generating countries were Thailand, Viet Nam, PRC, U.S.A., France,
Japan, UK, Korea, Australia, and Germany in that order. Average length of stay in 2012 was 4.5
days. For Q1-3 2013, tourist arrivals reached 2,782,118 (+15%). Laos has 24 International Check
Points with visa on arrival available except at PakXan, Bolikhamxay Bungkhan. Average hotel
occupancy rate reached 57% in 2012. Lao PDR had a total of 1,807 natural, historical, and cultural
attractions including 2 World Heritage sites, and was currently participating in ADB-funded Technical
Assistance 8233-REG Preparing the GMS Tourism Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth Project.
5.2

GMS Country Project Updates by GMS Countries (Continuation)

25.
Myanmar reported that tourist arrivals through international checkpoints reached 1,058,995 in
2012, and 1,502,910 from January to October 2013. Arrivals through border checkpoints increased by
129.57% from January to October 2013 compared to the same period last year. The international
visitors is targeted to reach 3.01 million in 2015 and 7.48 million in 2020. The tourism receipt are
projected to increase from $534million in 2012 to $10.18 billion in 2020 generating corresponding
number of tourism related jobs from293,700 to 1.49 million.
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As of 11 December 2013

26.
From January to October 2013, Thailand received 21.74 million international tourist arrival
(+22.3%) compare to the same period last year. The East Asia market had the highest share in
international tourism arrival at 61.29% generating tourism receipts of 430,048.28 million baht follow
by Europe, South Asia, Americas, Oceania, Middle East and Africa. The top 10 International Tourist
Arrival were from China, Malaysia, Russian, Japan, Korea, Laos, India, Australia, UK and Singapore.
China also dominated the GMS International Tourist Arrival to Thailand with 4,056,522 tourist, follow
by Laos (881,731), Vietnam (660,053), Cambodia (372,985), and Myanmar (140,842). International
tourist arrivals through GMS border checkpoints was 1,431,682 from January to October 2013 with
Nongkai as the most frequent point of entry.
27.

Viet Nam reported that international tourist arrivals estimated at 731,034 for November 2013,
16.3% increase over last month and 8.8% increase over the same period last year. Majority of tourist
arrival Viet Nam by Air, Sea and Road with Tourism as a main purpose of traveling. Total
international tourist arrival in the first 11 months (January November) reached 6,850,003
representing 10.2% growth over the same period last year. Viet Nam expected to have 7.4 million
international visitors in 2013. Top source market are China follow by Korea and Japan. There will be
three major events in 2014 which are 2nd VITM in Hanoi in April, Food Festival in Hue Ancient Capital
in April and the 10th International Travel Expo, Ho Chi Minh City in September.

Agenda Item 6:

Status report by Asian Development Bank (ADB) on technical assistance

for strengthening the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO)

28.
Mr. Schipani presented TA 8156 REG: Strengthening the Mekong Tourism Coordinating
Office (MTCO) which was approved by ADB in October 2013, granted Technical Assistance of
USD225,000 for the duration of 1 November 2013 to 30 June 2015. The expected impact of TA is that
MTCO effectively performs it key functions as GMS TWG Secretariat. The outcome will be a (i) a
comprehensive MTCO organizational and operational plan, (ii) establishment of a functional webbased GMS tourism knowledge management platform, and (iii) preparation of an updated, TWG
endorsed Explore Mekong regional marketing strategy and action plan. Several key activities were
also presented include Appoint TA focal points from GMS NTO, Desk review and consultative
workshops, Prepare MTCO operations plan, Develop GMS tourism knowledge management
framework and improve MTCO website, Support for regional knowledge events in 2014 2015,
Survey of departing GMS visitors, Consultations on produce development and marketing priorities
and Prepare Explore Mekong marketing strategy and action plan. The implementation arrangement
will be led by ADB as the TA Executing Agency, TA Steering Committee comprising TWG and private
sector advisory group, Two TA focal points (marketing & regional development cooperation) and
three individual consultants approved by ADB. The cost estimates and financing plan were also
presented, about half of the budget will be used both international and national consultant with the
remaining amount for Surveys, Seminars, and Workshops. Government In-Kind Contribution were
also listed.
Discussion were put forward and endorsed by the meeting that GMS NTO will study the TA in depth
and shall inform the focal point by January 2014, majority of member countries has no objection for
PATA to take part in the Private Sector Advisor but also suggested other organization such as
UNTWO, and consultants recruitment process shall be start in the first quarter of 2014.
Open Discussion:

29.
Mr. Florence, on behalf of MTCO and TWG thank you ADB for the ongoing support and
agreed that this is very important and timely initiative. He would encourage all NTOs to consider the
focal point as a permanent position rather than on temporary based. He also raise the MTCO lack of
legal status which still need to be solve.

As of 11 December 2013

30.

Thailand urged the meeting to focus more on the GMS Tourism Sector Strategy development
status and priority. Thailand also investigate option to help MTCO gain its legal status.

31.
It was suggested during the meeting that each GMS TWG meeting should have a certain
theme. The country report on tourist arrival taking should be shorten, perhaps MTCO could
consolidate the tourist arrival and present the statistic at the meeting. Also the meeting could involve
more development partner participation such as a short statement or presentation. It was also agree
that the invitation to attend GMS TWG meeting should be send at least one and half month in
advance.
32.
Ms. Heidi Bain, Child Safe Coordinator, Friend International recommended for the GMS NTOs
to partner with local development partner who often work on the ground and can offer difference
perspective of the issue.
Agenda Item 7:

33.

Other Matters

No other matter was discussed.

Agenda Item 8:

Date and Venue of Next Meeting

34.

The Meeting agreed to hold the 33rd TWG Meeting (TWG-33) and Mekong Tourism Forum
(MTF) 2014 in second week of June 2014 in Mandalay, Myanmar, and requested MTCO to
coordinate closely with the host regarding specific details, to be informed to TWG members later.
Closing Session

35.
The Chair, Co-Chair, and MTCO thanked all the participants for their active contribution and
support to the success of the meeting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------LIST OF APPENDICES:
Appendix 1:
Appendix 2:
Appendix 3:
Appendix 4:

List of Participants
Opening Remarks
Agenda
Powerpoint Presentations