The Government of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) with assistance of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) virtually convened the 49th Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Tourism Working Group (TWG-49) on 12 May 2022. The meeting was attended by representatives of the National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) of the six GMS countries, MTCO, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The TWG-49 meeting shared (i) NTO updates on progress of implementing tourism recovery initiatives and strategies; (ii) the COVID-19 and tourism situation of GMS countries; (iii) updates on MTCO activities; (iv) outcomes of the GMS Senior Officials Meeting in March 2022 regarding the Tourism Report and meeting guidance and the new GMS Regional Investment Framework (RIF 2023-2025); (v) various GMS tourism support initiatives; and (vi) the ASEAN Tourism Standards implementation progress, issues and lessons under the GMS Tourism Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth Project.