Bangkok (Thailand) – July 6, 2017 (travelindex.com) – The northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom (Isan) in Thailand has been selected to host the 2018 Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF). The Ministry of Tourism and Sports proposed Nakhon Phanom as the ideal location because the Mekong River forms the eastern border of the province, shaping the region's culture.

Nakhon Phanom, which translates to "City of Mountains," is promoted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) as an up-and-coming destination in Isan. The province boasts modern infrastructure with excellent road and air connections. The third Thai-Laotian Friendship Bridge across the Mekong River connects Nakhon Phanom to the Thakhek Khammouane region in Laos. Additionally, there are daily flights operated by Nok Air and Thai AirAsia to and from Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok.

Governor Yuthasak Supasorn stated: “Nakhon Phanom, bordering the Mekong River, is an ideal location for this regional conference. The province offers stunning Mekong scenery and culture, as well as the warm hospitality of the Isan region. We look forward to showcasing this charming province to the delegates of the MTF 2018.”

Nakhon Phanom offers numerous beautiful and timeless natural and cultural attractions, such as the annual illuminated boat procession in October at the end of the Buddhist Lent (Ok Phansa) and the folk culture of the local Phu Thai ethnic group. The Thai-Laotian Friendship Bridge also promotes cross-border trade and tourism by making it easier for tourists wishing to visit both Laos and Thailand to discover Mekong culture.

The city of Nakhon Phanom itself offers numerous tourist attractions, including temples such as Wat Phra That Phanom, built in the local style and one of the most important temples in Isan. Other attractions include the Provincial Governor's Residence Museum with its neo-colonial architecture and the Mekong Underwater World, which introduces visitors to the underwater world and ecosystems of the river.

Nakhon Phanom offers a good selection of high-quality hotels, with the more upscale establishments often boasting views of the Mekong River. The number of visitors using Nakhon Phanom for meetings and conferences has increased. Nakhon Phanom University participates in the MICE curriculum program of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau to ensure that the region continues to have access to professional expertise in meetings and events as the sector grows.

Organized by the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, the Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) provides a platform for public and private sector stakeholders in the region to discuss the promotion and marketing of travel and tourism in and within the GMS countries – Cambodia, the Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Guangxi, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The forum also fosters sustainable growth in the industry and invites high-profile speakers to address tourism-related topics.

The Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) was established in 1996 by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and was held in rotation among the Greater South America (GMS) countries until 2005. In 2010, the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office revived the event, and it has been held annually ever since. The most recent MTF was held in 2012 in the northern Thai province of Chiang Rai. Last year, the forum took place in June in Luang Prabang, Laos.