Tourism for Rural Development: Myanmar delegation attends the UN Tourism Conference

A delegation led by Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism Dr. Thet Thet Khaing attended the 1st UN Tourism Conference on Tourism for Rural Development in Hoi An, Vietnam, from 10 to 11 December.

Jointly organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) and the Viet Nam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the conference focused on tourism’s role in rural development and collaboration with government organizations at all levels.

On 10th December, the Union Minister and the delegation attended the conference. There, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, Minister of Culture, Minister and Deputy Minister for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Secretary of Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee and Executive Director of UNWTO delivered opening remarks, respectively.

The conference covered topics including rural development through tourism, local leadership in developing tourist villages, the link between agriculture and tourism, funding opportunities, youth involvement, creating authentic experiences and the role of digital tools in rural tourism.

Over 300 delegates from more than 50 countries, including representatives from the UNWTO, APTO, MTCO, ADB, FAO, various travel companies, along with tourism media outlets attended the conference.

In the evening, the Union Minister and the delegation attended a reception dinner hosted by Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

On December 11th, the Myanmar delegation visited Tra Que Vegetable Village, Thanh Ha Pottery Village and Hoi An Ancient Town. They explored Hoi An’s traditional dishes, 500-year-old pottery, cultural architecture, the 400-year-old Cau Pagoda, the Museum of Trade Ceramics and local handicrafts.

The Myanmar delegation arrived at Yangon International Airport on December 12th and was welcomed by officials from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.