Mekong Tourism Forum 2018 Zipevent
Mekong Tourism Forum 2018

Speaker

PAI-SOMSAK BOONKAM Zipevent

PAI-SOMSAK BOONKAM

CEO & FOUNDER, LOCAL ALIKE

Somsak “Pai” Boonkam, an Ashoka Fellow and the founder and CEO of Local Alike, a social enterprise building an online platform to connect travellers and locals through meaningful and authentic experiences. As a social enterprise, Local Alike uses community-based tourism as a form of development tool to solve local issues, preserve local culture, and generate additional income to local communities. Prior to founding Local Alike, Pai worked at the Mae Fah Luang Foundation Under Royal Patronage. He was tasked with business development at Northern Thai communities under the Doi Tung Development Project. Pai was born and raised in rural Thailand where he developed a deep appreciation for the ingenuity of indigenous culture and the role of sustainable development. He graduated with an MBA in Sustainability Management from Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco, California. Pai has worked in a variety of cross-cultural settings. His goal is to bring the wisdom of indigenous people to the mass market in order to develop sustainable products that have a positive impact on the society. – See more at: https://www.pata.org/pai-somsak-boonkam/#sthash.FIenKsRY.dpuf

MEKONG TOURISM FORUM – TRANSFORMING TRAVEL

27 June 2018 | 16:00 - 18:30 | NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - SRIKOTRABOON CONFERENCE CENTER (3RD FLOOR)

On Wednesday afternoon, discussions ranging from Buddhist Tourism to Responsible Tourism focus on the potential of transforming travel and people’s lives. 16:00 16:10 Emcee – Opening Dr. Jutamas Wisansing – CEO, Perfect Link Consulting 16:10 16:30 Transforming Travel Keynote Mr. Jeremy Smith – Author, “Transforming Travel” 16:30 16:55 A Day in a Buddhist Temple Malao StudiosThe Buddhist Circuits of Southeast AsiaMr. Lim Kooi Fong – Founder, BuddhistTravel.com 16:55 17:30 Panel: Buddhist Tourism in the Mekong Region Moderator: Mr. Imtiaz Muqbil, Editor – Travel Impact Newswire Panelists: Mr. Lim Kooi Fong – Founder, BuddhistTravel.com Mr. Malraj Kiriella – Former CEO, Sri Lanka Tourism Dr. Kanokrot Phalakornkul – Editor, 5000s Magazine Mr. Somchai Vitdamrong – Governor, Nakhon Phanom Provincial Government 17:30 17:45 Child Welfare in Tourism Guide Mr. James Sutherland – Communications Manager, Friends International 17:45 18:00 Mekong Trends Report on Responsible Tourism Mr. Jens Thraenhart – Executive Director, Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office 18:00 18:30 Panel: Experience Mekong Collection Showcases Moderator: Dr. Walanchalee Wattanacharoensil – Professor, Mahidol University International College Panelists: Ms. Momoko Ikeuchi – Sales Manager, Phare Circus (Cambodia) Mr. Somsak Boonkam – CEO & Founder, LocalAlike (Thailand) Ms. Phitsamai Sipaza – Assistant Manager, Ock Pop Tok Living Arts Center (Laos) Ms. Yin Myo Su – CEO & Founder, Inle Heritage (Myanmar) Mr. Zhu Jinsheng (Jason) – Deputy Party Secretary, Guilin Tourism University (Representing: Longji Rice Terraces, Guangxi, PR China) Closing Dr. Jutamas Wisansing – CEO, Perfect Link Consulting