ASEAN ROUNDTABLE MINISTERIAL MEETING ON ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT

On the 26^th June 2016, Deputy Minister Dang Thi Bich Lien represented the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Viet Nam to attend the ASEAN Roundtable Ministerial Meeting on Ecotourism Development within the framework of the ASEAN Ecotourism Forum (AEF) organized by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism in Pakse, Champasak, Lao PDR.

(Ministers/Heads of Delegation at the Opening Ceremony)

At the Meeting, the Ministers adopted the “Pakse Declaration on ASEAN Roadmap for Strategic Development of Ecotourism Clusters and Tourism Corridors” and agreed to submit the Declaration to the ASEAN Leaders during the 28^th ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR, in September 2016. The Ministers emphasized the importance of an ASEAN coordinated roadmap to strategically identify, plan and develop an inter-connected network of ecotourism sites linked to major overland and river passageways. These ecotourism clusters and tourism corridors shall be developed to traverse all ASEAN nations, transcending geographical borders and wildlife frontiers, facilitating tourists to travel deep into rural areas and nature reserves and to experience the essence of ASEAN's ecotourism attractions. This visionary development will unlock economic opportunities along overland and river routes; a major socio-economic initiative to create employment and uplift communities, revitalize idle natural resources and transform impoverished rural areas.

(Roundtable Meeting of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Tourism)

The Ministers welcomed Laos’ initiative to convene the AEF under the theme of “ASEAN Without Borders: Roadmap for Strategic Development of Ecotourism Clusters and Tourism Corridors” with ecotourism exhibition and workshop, creating an opportunity for public and private sectors in the ASEAN tourism community to network, share and deliberate on ambitious plans to grow and prosper the region through ecotourism cooperation. The ASEAN Ecotourism Forum 2016 aims to capitalize on the capacity and resources of ASEAN partners and supporters to bring  about transformation of sustainable businesses and generate jobs aligning with ASEAN 2016’s theme “Turning Vision into Reality for a Dynamic ASEAN Community”.

At the Meeting, Deputy Minister Lien stressed that with the potentials and advantages in ecotourism development, Viet Nam committed to continue its participation and contribution in regional cooperation as an active member, as well as participated with responsibility in realizing the Pakse Declaration.

(Ministers/Heads of National Tourism Organizations of member countries)

(Group photos with Leaders of Lao PDR and international guests)

(Deputy Minister Dang Thi Bich Lien presented token to Chairman of Champasak Province)

(Visiting the Exhibition on ASEAN Ecotourism)

(Deputy Minister Dang Thi Bich Lien had an interview with Viet Nam News Agency)

(Visiting the Ecotourism model in Pakse)

Trần Hải Vân