Rob Holmes to Present on the Power of Visual Storytelling at the 2018 Mekong Tourism Forum
As part of the inaugural "Mekong Mini Movie Festival" at the Mekong Tourism Forum in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, GLP Films' Rob Holmes will join a line-up of storytelling experts to demonstrate the power of visual story and how it can be integrated into destination marketing strategy.
This article has been adapted from the original published by the Mekong Tourism Forum.
Hosted by the Thailand Ministry of Tourism & Sports, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and the Provincial Government of Nakhon Phanom, in collaboration with the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), this year, from June 26-29, Nakhon Phanom will be the host of the 2018 Mekong Tourism Forum. Situated at the Mekong River, bordering to Lao PDR, the city in northeastern Thailand boosts Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese cultural influence, important Buddhist sites, as well as modern infrastructure and convenient road and air connectivity.
This year’s theme is following the MTF 2017 theme of “Prosper with Purpose”, and the MTF 2016 theme of “Creating Authentic Experiences”. Travelers today are seeking a more transformative and soul-enriching experience. Tourism can be an important catalyst in changing people’s lives for the better through mutual understanding and acting more responsibly. The theme of “Transforming Travel – Transforming Lives” will start with a keynote by Jeremy Smith, editor of Travindy and author of the recent book “Transforming Travel”.
Two integrated programs enrich the overall MTF 2018 experience:
The inaugural “Mekong Mini Movie Festival” will kick-off with a half-day Film Destination Marketing Conference, discussing the power of destination promotion via film, video, and visual storytelling, including keynotes by Rob Holmes of award-winning GLP Films, to a case study of Hangover 2 at the Lebua Hotel in Bangkok. Following, delegates will be asked to judge some of the most inspiring films of the ongoing Mekong Mini Movie campaign. The Mekong Minis Awards Ceremony will announce the first set of winners of the Mekong Mini Movie Festival, and in partnership with WWF, will raise awareness of the endangered Mekong Dolphins, the mascot of the Mekong Mini Movie Festival.
Rob Holmes' keynote – Power of Visual Storytelling Part 1 – will take place at 2:05 p.m. on June 26 on the 3rd floor of the Nakhon Phanom University - Srikotraboon Conference Center. The full keynote schedule can be found here.
The Mekong Tourism Forum that includes eight thematic strategy workshops on topics such as food tourism, adventure tourism, wellness tourism, and more, will be conducted in eight ethnic community villages around Nakhon Phanom. By visiting and engaging with the local communities, the delegates will be able to interact with the local people, while the local people will be able to interact with visitors from all over the world. As such, MTF 2018 embraces the theme “Transforming Travel – Transforming Lives” by experimenting with a new conference theme of hosting the actual sessions together with the local communities in their villages, and have the local people participate and be part of the experience. That way, the discussions can be enriched and memorable.
Organized by the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, the annual Mekong Tourism Forum gives stakeholders in the region, both public and private, a platform for joint discussions on the promotion and marketing of travel and tourism to and within the GMS countries – Cambodia, China’s Yunnan and Guangxi Provinces, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
MTF was previously held in Thailand in 2012 in the northern province of Chiang Rai. Last year, the Forum was held in June in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR.
More information about the 2018 MTF can be accessed at www.MekongTourismForum.org, and registration is free for travel and tourism professionals.
Contact information
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
Executive Director
Mr. Jens Thraenhart (jens@mekongtourism.org)