In a significant effort to empower women in the Mekong tourism industry, a four-day workshop was held in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, from September 24 to 27. The training, titled “Enhancing Digital Skills for Women in Tourism Communities in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam – Training of Trainers,” was a joint initiative of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), and the Lao PDR Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism.
This workshop brought together 28 participants from both the public and private sectors, focusing on equipping women with the digital tools and strategies needed to thrive in the evolving tourism landscape. The training program delved into critical aspects of digital marketing, emphasizing community-based tourism promotion. Participants learned how to develop digital training programs tailored specifically to the needs of small-scale tourism businesses, such as homestays, guesthouses, local eateries, handicraft shops, and tour services.
To further enhance practical application, participants engaged in field visits to local community-based tourism businesses. This hands-on experience allowed them to assess digital needs in real-world settings, applying their newfound knowledge to develop practical case studies. The workshop also covered essential topics like resource management, strategic planning, budget development, and goal setting for digital marketing initiatives.
Naoko Fujikawa, Assistant Director of the ASEAN-Japan Centre, highlighted the crucial role of digital skills in promoting tourism products globally. She emphasized the need to provide women in the tourism sector with enhanced opportunities to develop their digital marketing capabilities. This workshop stands as a testament to the commitment to empowering women and strengthening community-based tourism in the Mekong region through the power of digital skills.
