Chongqing - Around 200 guests gathered in Chongqing Wednesday for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Lancang-Mekong Tourism Cities Cooperation Alliance Exchange Activity. 

The ceremony brought together representatives from the six Lancang-Mekong countries, industry leaders, researchers, and international organizations to discuss new opportunities and prospects for tourism cooperation in the region.

The guests were discussing the tourist opportunities in the Lancang-Mekong region (Photo/Feng Xiaolou)

The Lancang-Mekong region, encompassing six countries and a vast natural landscape, is united not only by its shared river but also by a commitment to strengthening tourism exchanges and collaboration. The event was designed to further the objectives of the Lancang-Mekong Tourism Cities Cooperation Alliance, promoting the integration of tourism across member cities and driving sustainable development in the region.

Young people from the Lancan-Mekong countries were singing together (Photo/Feng Xiaolou)

The day's proceedings opened with a beautiful performance of Chinese traditional music, followed by a chorus of "Auld Lang Syne," sung by youth from the six member countries. Keynote speeches from prominent figures underscored the importance of regional cooperation and the growing opportunities in tourism.

Huot Hay, Vice Mayor of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, emphasized the need to deepen cooperation between regional cities. He called for a blend of nature and culture in tourism offerings and urged building platforms for information and experience exchange to overcome shared challenges.

Huot Hay, Vice Mayor of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, was giving a speech (Photo/Feng Xiaolou)

Du Lan, Secretary-General of the Global Centre for Mekong Studies (China Centre), highlighted the new opportunities arising from China's Belt and Road Initiative. This initiative will open doors for deeper policy coordination, infrastructure development, and digital economy cooperation in the tourism sector.

The event also saw the launch of the "Lancang-Mekong Tourism Promotion Season" and "Lancang-Mekong Tourism Promotion Cooperation Initiative," which aims to leverage media power to raise the visibility of the region's tourist destinations and increase international tourist arrivals.

The night before, the guests also enjoyed an elegant evening ferry trip, where they exchanged ideas on furthering tourism cooperation while taking in the stunning cityscape of Chongqing. During the event, attendees will visit cultural and historical landmarks in Chongqing, such as the Dazu Rock Carvings, to explore the local culture and potential for future tourism development.

This event marked a key milestone in the Lancang-Mekong Tourism Cities Cooperation Alliance, providing a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and future growth in the region's tourism sector.