4th annual MIST program aims to expedite tourism industry growth, create an ecosystem that inspires innovation, and promote sustainability in tourism.
The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) as the secretariat of the Tourism Working Group of the six national tourism organizations of the Greater Mekong Subregion, and Destination Mekong, the public-private collaboration framework of the Lancang-Mekong Region, formally opens the call for application of the 2020 Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST) program (www.MIST.asia). Travel startups in the two categories, travel technology ventures and social impact ventures from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. For the first time, MIST also welcomes startups headquartered in the Yunnan Province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in PR China. Its 2020 cohort will close to applications on July 15, 2020.
“The Greater Mekong Subregion’s government, tourism, and hospitality leaders have embraced MIST as a force for innovation, sustainability, and growth in the region,” said Jens Thraenhart, executive director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office. “Through this program, we have created the ideal mechanism for tourism innovators and travel startups to get paired with investors and industry mentors who can equip them to scale and thrive.”
Now in its 4th year, the MIST program has been one of the first tourism board globally pioneering its own travel startup program, integrating innovation and entrepreneurship with the travel and tourism ecosystem. Destination Mekong and the Mekong Business Initiative – with the backing of the Government of Australia, the Asian Development Bank, and the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office – launched MIST in 2016 to propel innovation in the rapidly growing tourism markets of the Greater Mekong Subregion. MIST aims to expedite tourism industry growth, create an ecosystem that inspires innovation, and promote sustainability in tourism. The MIST program is guided by an international advisory board made up of travel executives and investors in the travel and tourism industry.
In 2017 and 2018, the final pitching competitions were integrated into the Mekong Tourism Forums in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR and Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, respectively. In 2019, Destination Mekong partnered with the Travel Startups Asia Forum in Bangkok, to host the final MIST pitching competition, and inspired delegates with panels and keynotes including from former Minister of Sports and Tourism if Thailand, HE Mr Weerasak Kowsurat and Nok Air Founder Mr. Patee Sarasin. The successful MIST Mentorships Bootcamp was hosted at the offices of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in Bangkok, conducting workshops by investors, travel executives, and MIST alumni for MIST 2019 finalists. Winners of the travel technology category were invited to present at the MIST Forum at ITB Asia in Singapore, and winners of the social impact category will present at the next Mekong Tourism Forum.
The MIST Advisory Group recently met virtually to discuss that MIST 2020 will have a focus on resilience amid the current COVID-19 pandemic. One interesting innovation coming out of the Virtual MIST Advisory Board Meeting are virtual online MIST mentorship sessions for final startups with investors and MIST alumni. The final MIST pitching competition may also be held virtually, if a physical event is not possible end of 2020.
MIST 2020 nomination in the two categories, Travel Technology Ventures and Social Impact Ventures, are open, and can be submitted at no cost here until July 15, 2020. More information about program eligibility is available here.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
