Bangkok (Thailand) – January 10, 2020 (travelindex.com) – The 2nd Asia Destination Film Forum 2020 will take place on January 30, 2020, in Bangkok. The event will be co-chaired by HRH Itthipol Khunpluem, Thailand's Minister of Culture, and Dr. Sorajak Kasemsuwan, Secretary General of the National Association of Film and Media Industries. Launched in 2018 by the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) as part of the Mekong Tourism Forum in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, the forum showcases and celebrates films that promote destinations and sustainability through visual storytelling.

Numerous films have inspired millions of people to travel. Particularly in recent years, a growing phenomenon has emerged: tourists are visiting destinations featured in films and user-generated social media videos. Recent research suggests that films have a strong influence on tourists' travel decisions and can not only generate short-term tourism revenue but also create long-term prosperity for a destination.

Several countries and destinations quickly recognized these advantages and were able to successfully increase the number of tourists using the magic of film.

The forum consists of sessions led by industry leaders such as Nick Ray of Hanuman Films, Joe Cummings, senior editor of Bangkok 101, Fah Daengdej, host of The Passion on Nation TV 22, and others. Discussions will focus on how visual storytelling—from films to user-generated videos—inspires consumers to visit destinations, how tourism boards can utilize film, how businesses can benefit from visual storytelling, and how it can promote sustainability.

Featuring talks and case studies, for example from Tom Waller, producer of “The Cave” (Thailand), who recounts the gripping story of the Wild Boards football team and their coach last year, and from Ekachai Uekrongtham, executive producer of the Netflix series “The Stranded” (Thailand), as well as case studies from the Singapore Tourism Board, the Busan City Tourism Organization and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the event examines how current films promote travel destinations.

The winner of the Best Feature Film award at the 2019 San Diego International Film Festival, "The Steed" (Mongolia), and Hanuman Films' award-winning film "The Last Reel" (Cambodia) will be screened at the event. Additionally, films submitted to the Thailand Film Festival (in collaboration with the Thailand Film Office of the Ministry of Tourism) and the Mekong Mini Movie Festival (in partnership with the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office) will be presented. Beyond exploring the impact of feature films, the event will include sessions on the importance of visual content created by travelers and bloggers, and how travel companies can benefit from filming locations.

This evening, the Asia Destination Film Awards 2020 and the Mekong Mini Movie Festival Awards will be presented. Following the awards ceremony, an authentic Mongolian BBQ film evening will take place, featuring a renowned Mongolian BBQ chef and traditional cultural performances, hosted by the Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Nominations for the Asia Destination Film Awards in the categories of Tourism Associations, Travel Industry, User-Generated Content, Professional Filmmakers, and Sustainable Travel are open until January 17, 2020.

Jens Thraenhart, Managing Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office and founder of the Destination Film Forum and Awards, explains: “Video is one of the most effective media for promoting a travel destination today. It awakens viewers' wanderlust by conveying the essence and uniqueness of a place in just a few moments. But the inspirational power of film goes far beyond mere destination advertising. It can also promote change and responsible travel behavior, supporting sustainable, responsible, and environmentally conscious tourism that benefits local communities. In collaboration with WWF and Khiri Travel, the Mekong Mini Movie Festival raises awareness of sustainable tourism and nature conservation, focusing on the festival's mascot, the endangered Mekong dolphin.”

The Asia Destination Film Forum and Awards 2020 will take place on January 30, 2020, at Quaint Bangkok in partnership with the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), and Chameleon Strategies. Sponsors include Asset World Corporation, the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), HMD Asia, the Dutch-Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Tourism, MIAT Mongolia Airlines, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Supporting organizations include the Thai Ministry of Tourism, ITB Berlin, the National Association of Film and Media Industries of Thailand, Skål International Thailand, the Thailand Film Office, Travel Massive, and the UNWTO Members Department. The event is organized by UNWTO member Chameleon Strategies.

A networking happy hour with film screenings, hosted by the Destination Film Forum, will take place on January 29th at 5:30 pm in the Spectrum Lounge & Bar. The event is organized in partnership with the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, and Travel Massive, with the support of the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit.