On 17 December 2024, the 54th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Tourism Working Group (TWG) Meeting was held in Krabi, Thailand. The ACC sent a delegation to attend the event upon the invitation from the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand together with representatives from GMS national tourism organizations, Asian Development Bank and ASEAN-Japan Centre.

Executive Director Suvimol Thanasarakij of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) stated that the tourism industry in GMS has basically rebounded to pre-pandemic level. The focus of tourism should be shifted from recovery to development with sustainability, inclusivity and resilience as the keywords. She called on all GMS countries and partners to join hands in encouraging innovation in community tourism, digital tourism, and green tourism and enhancing the region’s high-quality tourism development.

Deputy Director Liu Xiao of Education, Culture and Tourism Division, briefed on the ACC’s tourism activities related to GMS in 2024, and the work plans under the framework of 2025 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-people Exchanges. Representatives from GMS countries introduced their current tourism industry trend and had an in-depth discussion on future cooperation.