BANGKOK, Thailand – The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) and digital travel platform Agoda have partnered to expand the digital skills of micro, small, and medium-sized accommodation providers across the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The regional training program, which began on September 18 in Thailand, will continue through November with sessions in Cambodia, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, and China’s Yunnan and Guangxi provinces.
The program targets homestays, ecolodges, and guesthouses in rural and secondary destinations. These enterprises are integral to community-based tourism and stand to benefit from stronger digital engagement, which can enhance global visibility, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability.
This collaboration is the first between MTCO, Agoda, and the GMS National Tourism Organizations, highlighting the role of public–private partnerships in providing small operators with digital tools to enhance the region’s tourism sector.
Delivered online in local languages and adapted to local needs, the workshops cover practical skills such as creating and managing listings on travel platforms, uploading inventory and images, setting prices, running promotions, and responding effectively to customer reviews.
With training set to continue through November, the program is expected to help small accommodation providers across the Mekong region build stronger online presences and prepare for growing visitor demand. (NNT)
