The Mekong countries unveiled the final draft of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Tourism Strategy 2030 at the 2025 Mekong Tourism Forum in Luang Prabang in Laos.
The strategy aims to attract sustainable tourism development, promote regional cooperation, and accelerate the growth of secondary destinations across the GMS.
Jointly developed by the GMS Tourism Working Group—comprising senior tourism officials from Cambodia, People’s Republic of China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam—and the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office with support from the GMS Economic Cooperation Program.
The strategy builds on previous regional efforts and draws from extensive consultations with stakeholders from tourism and related sectors. Strategic programs focus on building sustainable destinations, developing human capital, strengthening engagement, and enhancing regional destination marketing. Cross-cutting themes, including digital transformation, environmental sustainability, inclusion and empowerment, and private sector development, are embedded in all strategic programs.
Suvimol Thanasarakij, Executive Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, said, “The GMS Tourism Strategy 2030 is a practical roadmap with a shared vision for the region. It reflects our collective commitment to addressing common challenges and unlocking the potential of tourism to benefit local communities, businesses, and travelers alike. We are proud to support this journey by fostering collaboration, strategic dialogue, and helping turn vision into action.”
Tourism remains a key economic and social driver in the GMS. In 2024, international arrivals surpassed 69 million, signaling a strong recovery toward pre-pandemic levels. Intra-GMS travel accounted for approximately 9.5 million trips in 2023. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the Mekong visitor economy is projected to reach USD 200 billion annually by 2030.
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