2024 Lancang-Mekong Tourism Cities Cooperation Alliance Exchange Activity concludes in Chongqing

Chongqing - On November 30, 2024, the Lancang-Mekong Tourism Cities Cooperation Alliance (LMTCCA) Exchange Activity wrapped up in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

This six-day activity brought together approximately 200 delegates, including leading enterprises and industry representatives of the Lancang-Mekong countries, relevant international organizations, media representatives, and scholars, to discuss tourism development strategies and outline a new blueprint for regional tourism cooperation.

On November 26, 2024, the Chongqing International Travel Agent Conference was held. (Photo/Organizer)

Guests visited cultural landmarks such as Guanyinqiao, Beicang Cultural and Creative Park, Chongqing Grand Theater, Ciqikou, Dazu Rock Carvings, and Pianyan Ancient Town. They also tasted local snacks, experienced traditional crafts like the twelve zodiac rubbings and calligraphy, and were deeply immersed in the unique charm of Chongqing. Yuthasak Supasorn, Chairman of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand and Former Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said that Chongqing was a fantastic city with delicious food, amazing scenery, nice people, and beautiful minds. Winai Sony, Advisor to the Mayor of Chiangrai Municipality of Thailand, echoed the sentiment and added that people here were very friendly and tried to communicate with you in every way they could, including English.

Winai Sony, Advisor to the Mayor of Chiangrai Municipality of Thailand, is trying calligraphy at Pianyan Ancient Town. (Photo/Deng Nan)

This activity marks an important occasion for the LMTCCA in the direction of regional tourism cooperation. Nguyen Duc Loi, Executive Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, emphasized the long-standing traditional relationship between Vietnam and China and stressed that the media of the two countries must not only publicize social-economic development but also strengthen the promotion of cultural tourism, increasing the international communication of Chongqing's unique landscapes and famous relics, and enhancing exchanges and interactions between the peoples of the two countries.

After visiting the Dazu Rock Carvings, H.E. Lim Phallika, Deputy Mayor of Siem Reap, Cambodia, and Vongdavone Vongxayarath, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism, in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, both expressed expectations for further cooperation in the field of cultural heritage protection and promotion.

Guests of LMTCCA's take a group photo at Dazu Rock Carvings. (Photo/Deng Nan)

In March 2016, a consensus to include the "establishment of the Lancang-Mekong Tourism Cities Cooperation Alliance" was reached in the Sanya Declaration of the First Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders' Meeting. Since then, various activities have been carried out among the Lancang-Mekong countries. Suvimol Thanasarakij, Executive Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordination Office, believed that LMTCCA was a big initiative and made a great contribution to regional cooperation. Chongqing could play a very big role in fostering sustainable tourism development through regional cooperation. This activity was a strong driving force that brought together multiple cities from member countries to share expertise, establish contacts, develop friendships, and discuss future cooperation.