Nominations are now open for the 2021 Mekong Hero. Launched in 2020 by the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) and Destination Mekong, the ‘Mekong Heroes’ program aims to celebrate passionate individuals in Mekong tourism who work tirelessly behind the scenes to inspire and influence, modeling new ways of conceiving and doing tourism better. Nominees could be CEOs or senior government officials, or they might be entrepreneurs or small business owners -- leaders that have made a significant contribution to developing tourism sustainability in the Mekong Region.  

The next Mekong Hero will be announced at the 2nd Virtual Destination Mekong Summit in May 2021. The Mekong Heroes Selection Committee will be co-chaired by former Minister of Tourism & Sports of Thailand, Ms. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, and former Minister of Hotels & Tourism of Myanmar, Mr. Htay Aung. 

According to Jens Thraenhart, Executive Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO): “Achieving a prosperous and sustainable tourism industry is not possible without committed leaders, with special kinds of vision and determination. The Mekong Heroes program is important so the whole industry benefits from their authenticity of vision, purpose, commitment, and determination; maintained over years of hard work. Recognized not only as builders, creators, and innovators, but also as mentors, teachers, and motivators, these individuals have made it their mission to bring out the best in people.” 

The first Mekong Hero was announced during the First Virtual Destination Mekong Summit on 25 August 2020. Ms. Potjana Suansri, founder of the Thailand Community-Based Tourism Institute (CBT-I), and currently serving as cultural tourism capacity building expert for the UN International Trade Center (ITC) Myanmar Inclusive Tourism project, was selected as the first Mekong Hero. Watch her interview.