This is MIST's second year of implementation of the program, which aims to identify and support fast-growing tourism and tourism businesses that are likely to contribute positively to the economy, the environment and the community in the locality.

The program is supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Australian Government, and Mekong Tourism Coordination Office (MTCO). The two core programs of MIST include accelerated startup and market access.

With the startup acceleration program, MIST helped startup companies in the travel and tourism services industry in the early stages understand the essential business principles and at the same time engage them with investors and the leading specialists. The top 5 startups came from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

The 5 startups will join the Mekong Tourism Forum to share their solutions as well as explore promising partners. In October 2018, in addition to the ITB Asia Tourism Fair in Singapore, these startups will gather again to present their ideas to investors with the goal of winning innovation awards up to $ 10,000.