The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) has launched the Mekong Heroes, an initiative operated by the public-private partnership framework Destination Mekong, to honour individuals who have made a difference in promoting and developing sustainable and responsible tourism in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).
The MTCO is seeking nominations from anybody active in the travel and tourism industry in the region.
The Mekong Heroes programme is co-chaired by Thailand’s former minister of tourism and sports, Weerasak Kowsurat, and Myanmar’s former minister of hotels and tourism Htay Aung, who will endorse and approve the Mekong Heroes, selected by the Mekong Tourism Advisory Group from the nominations received via MekongHeroes.org.
Jens Thraenhart, executive director of the MTCO, said in a statement: “The whole industry will benefit from our Mekong Heroes’ authenticity of vision, purpose, commitment, and determination, maintained over years of hard work. Recognised not only as builders, creators, and innovators, but also as mentors, teachers, and motivators, these individuals have made it their mission to bring out the best in people.”
Mekong Heroes could include innovative entrepreneurs, passionate managers, visionary executives, selfless officials or tireless field workers who have conceived new ways of bettering tourism.
The personal stories of each Mekong Hero will be told to inspire others via a special profile on an upcoming dedicated website, MekongHeroes.com, which will bring together all Mekong Heroes in the Mekong Heroes Gallery.
MTCO plans to announce one new Mekong Hero every quarter and recognise the Mekong Heroes of the year at the upcoming Mekong Tourism Forum.
All Mekong Heroes will be featured in the proposed Mekong Stories book and companion website, together with inspiring content of Experience Collection Members, as well as exiting photography shared via Mekong Moments.
Nominations can be submitted at MekongHeroes.org.
