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Catherine Germier is a French entrepreneur, consultant and trainer with over 20 years of international experience in sustainable tourism development and promotion, destination branding and marketing. She began her career managing environmental public services across Latin America and Africa before transitioning to tourism in 2004. After moving to South Korea, she served as Program Director at the ST-EP Foundation before founding Millennium Destinations, a consulting firm dedicated to sustainable and inclusive tourism development.
Based in Cambodia since 2022, Catherine served for three years as CEO of Destination Mekong. She now leads Millennium Destinations, working with governments, intergovernmental institutions, development partners and tourism stakeholders across Cambodia and the Mekong region. A GSTC Trainer, she holds an MBA and a postgraduate degree in Sustainable Tourism Development. Catherine founded the Cambodia Branding Forum in 2024. She is now living in Siem Reap.
Based in Cambodia since 2022, Catherine served for three years as CEO of Destination Mekong. She now leads Millennium Destinations, working with governments, intergovernmental institutions, development partners and tourism stakeholders across Cambodia and the Mekong region. A GSTC Trainer, she holds an MBA and a postgraduate degree in Sustainable Tourism Development. Catherine founded the Cambodia Branding Forum in 2024. She is now living in Siem Reap.
Clémence Petit is a graduate of Sciences Po specializing in international cooperation and project management. She built hands-on experience at the OIF's regional office in Hanoi, supporting sustainable tourism projects across Vietnam, Cambodia, Comoros, and Cape Verde. Currently serving as a VSI at the DET Centre in Siem Reap, Cambodia, her role is to bridge field-level activities of the Destination Éco-Talents project with the coordination teams of OIF and IFDD. She combines institutional relations, strategic communication, and cross-cultural coordination skills gained across Asia and Europe.
Daniel de Gruiter was born and raised in the Netherlands and has been living and working in Asia since 2002. He is an "experience creator" specialising in authentic, personalized and meaningful experiences across the Indochina region.
As Managing Director of Lolei Travel, Daniel ensures his guests enjoy high-quality cultural and experiential journeys that connect them with the local communities. He has a strong passion for exploration, photography and filmmaking and set up DCivilized, where he shares the images, videos and personal stories of his travels
Alongside tourism, Daniel works as a sustainable development consultant on a range of projects and uses his experience in hosting guests from all over the world with Lolei Travel, to develop and train communities in providing creativity, local knowledge and responsible tourism to showcase the authentic character of the Indochina region.
As Managing Director of Lolei Travel, Daniel ensures his guests enjoy high-quality cultural and experiential journeys that connect them with the local communities. He has a strong passion for exploration, photography and filmmaking and set up DCivilized, where he shares the images, videos and personal stories of his travels
Alongside tourism, Daniel works as a sustainable development consultant on a range of projects and uses his experience in hosting guests from all over the world with Lolei Travel, to develop and train communities in providing creativity, local knowledge and responsible tourism to showcase the authentic character of the Indochina region.
David Vuth is the Programme Manager of Target 8.9. He oversees the overall design, implementation, and management of the TUI Futureshapers Programme. David coordinates between TUI Care Foundation, Target 8.9, and ecosystem partners to ensure the programme delivers on its objectives and creates meaningful, lasting value for participating SMEs and Cambodia’s tourism sector.
Horn Sokchanlida is a leader in Cambodia’s tourism industry with over 14 years of experience in sustainable tourism, business startups, and conservation. As CEO and Co-Founder of Solo Landscapes, he curates unique travel experiences in protected areas while ensuring community well-being. His work integrates community-based tourism with environmental stewardship, boosting local incomes while preserving Cambodia’s biodiversity.
Passionate about empowering communities and promoting responsible travel, Sokchanlida has collaborated with USAID, the World Bank, and Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment, training marginalized communities to develop sustainable ecotourism models. He has a proven track record in building Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) capacity and creating impactful tourism services.
Currently, he leads the ‘Local Heroes’ initiative with the Bunong people and community in Khnang Phsa located in Cardamom Mountain National Park, fostering cultural tourism and conservation. Sokchanlida holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Norton University (2017) and continues to inspire responsible travel and environmental awareness.
Passionate about empowering communities and promoting responsible travel, Sokchanlida has collaborated with USAID, the World Bank, and Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment, training marginalized communities to develop sustainable ecotourism models. He has a proven track record in building Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) capacity and creating impactful tourism services.
Currently, he leads the ‘Local Heroes’ initiative with the Bunong people and community in Khnang Phsa located in Cardamom Mountain National Park, fostering cultural tourism and conservation. Sokchanlida holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Norton University (2017) and continues to inspire responsible travel and environmental awareness.
Marielisa Padilla is a Senior Urban Transformation and Sustainable Tourism Advisor with more than 15 years of international experience helping cities become more livable, resilient, and attractive for both communities and visitors.
Most recently in Siem Reap, she led key urban transformation and placemaking initiatives through GIZ as part of the Wat Bo Village project, working in close collaboration with the Siem Reap Provincial Administration, local businesses, communities, artists, and development partners. Her work focused on creating vibrant public spaces, strengthening local ecosystems, promoting circular economy initiatives, and advancing sustainable tourism through collaborative, place-based approaches.
Her work combines urban governance, stakeholder engagement, City Labs, and systems thinking to translate ambitious visions into practical, people-centred urban transformation. She is passionate about helping destinations strengthen their identity by connecting culture, community, and sustainability through place-based innovation.
Most recently in Siem Reap, she led key urban transformation and placemaking initiatives through GIZ as part of the Wat Bo Village project, working in close collaboration with the Siem Reap Provincial Administration, local businesses, communities, artists, and development partners. Her work focused on creating vibrant public spaces, strengthening local ecosystems, promoting circular economy initiatives, and advancing sustainable tourism through collaborative, place-based approaches.
Her work combines urban governance, stakeholder engagement, City Labs, and systems thinking to translate ambitious visions into practical, people-centred urban transformation. She is passionate about helping destinations strengthen their identity by connecting culture, community, and sustainability through place-based innovation.
Maulita Sari Hani leads Planeterra’s work across the Asia-Pacific region, bringing together local communities and travel partners to leverage tourism as a catalyst for long-term, positive impact. Her work focuses on strengthening community tourism, creating meaningful connections between travelers and local communities while protecting the culture, heritage, and environment of destinations.
Sathya Sor is a French-Khmer professional serving as Communication Lead, Partner Relations & Events at Artisans Angkor, where she also heads the Destination Éco-Talents (DET) Center supported by the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). With a background in tourism and event management, she oversees external communication and brand visibility at local and international levels, while building and nurturing relationships with institutional, cultural, and tourism partners. Sathya coordinates events, meetings, and partner activities, and leads the strategic development of the DET Center, driving stakeholder engagement and promotion. She also supports community engagement and sustainable development initiatives, acting as a key liaison between partners, internal teams, and external institutions.
Suvimol Thanasarakij (or “Dee”), Executive Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), is the first female and Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) national to lead the organization in its 19-year history. With over 25 years of experience in tourism and international cooperation, she has delivered high-level programs for institutions like ASEAN.
Before joining MTCO, she managed tourism marketing projects for ASEAN and worked for the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
At MTCO, she has advanced sustainable development and inclusive, resilient tourism in the GMS. Her initiatives include community-based tourism projects and campaigns promoting secondary destinations, responsible travel, and heritage preservation. She has strengthened regional cooperation through strategic partnerships among public and private sectors as well as international organizations. Her leadership drives MTCO’s mission of fostering sustainable and inclusive tourism development in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).
Before joining MTCO, she managed tourism marketing projects for ASEAN and worked for the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
At MTCO, she has advanced sustainable development and inclusive, resilient tourism in the GMS. Her initiatives include community-based tourism projects and campaigns promoting secondary destinations, responsible travel, and heritage preservation. She has strengthened regional cooperation through strategic partnerships among public and private sectors as well as international organizations. Her leadership drives MTCO’s mission of fostering sustainable and inclusive tourism development in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).