Luang Prabang: The Lao PDR is hosting the Sustainable Tourism Exhibition alongside the Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) 2025 from June 24 to 27 in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The exhibition features booths representing Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) member states, including Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and China, as well as tourism entrepreneurs.

According to Lao News Agency, Mr. Phouthone Dalalom, Deputy Director of the Tourism Marketing Department at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, stated on June 24 that the exhibition aims to introduce Lao tourism to target visitors from GMS countries, which are key markets for the Lao PDR. He expressed expectations that the exhibition would help attract more tourists to the Lao PDR and promote cooperation in the regional and international tourism industry, strengthening the sector in GMS countries in the post-COVID-19 era.

The exhibition provides a platform for tourism operators to showcase their products, offer tourism information, and display souvenirs and unique national cuisine. Additionally, it emphasizes promotional activities on community-based and green tourism, aligning with the Lao government’s strategic priority for tourism as a tool for national socio-economic development.

Policies focus on cultural, natural, and historical tourism to attract international visitors to the Lao PDR, particularly to Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a key tourism destination in the country. MTF 2025 features discussions, workshops, and exhibitions showcasing sustainable tourism products and initiatives from GMS member countries. The forum also includes the GMS Tourism Working Group Meeting and the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office Board Meeting.