6. In 2007, the Southeast Asia Department undertook a midterm review of the 1992 GMS
Strategic Framework (GMS-SF)6
to identify lessons from the first 5 years of its implementation.
The review concluded that the GMS program had “…made very good progress in the ‘hardware’
aspects of cooperation involving the first strategic thrusts of the GMS Strategic Framework, but
less so in the ‘software’ components of cooperation involving the four other thrusts of the GMSSF,
especially in the measures necessary to enhance competitiveness and in activities
addressing social and environmental issues in the GMS…” With regard to the tourism sector,
the review found that considerable progress had been made in (i) placing the GMS on the global
tourism map; (ii) building close alliances, strengthening ownership, and generating high-level
support; and (iii) implementing the GMS regional tourism sector strategy (RTSS). The review
highlighted four issues in the sector that need to be addressed: (i) prioritizing proposed projects
in the RTSS; (ii) sustaining, restructuring, and streamlining operations of the Mekong Tourism
Coordination Office (MTCO); (iii) facilitating travel through a GMS-wide visa; and (iv) energizing
the annual Mekong tourism event. In the period since the review, progress has been made on
the first issue and efforts are ongoing to address the second. Resolving the other issues will
require more time.