A World Ecotourism and Adventure Conference will be held in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR from 15 - 16 July, 2009.

Lao National Tourism Administration is collaborating with Malaysia's DISCOVERYMICE Sdn Bhd to organise the conference. DiSCOVERYMICE chief executive officer Lee Choon Loong said the conference was aimed at creating greater awareness among the public and private sectors on the current ecotourism developments.

Speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony, Lee said about 800 delegates were expected to discuss and formulate solutions and applications related with ecotourism at the conference. "People can exchange lessons learnt regarding global best practices in the ecotourism and community-based tourism sectors, and seek solutions to mitigate and reverse negative impacts of tourism such as climate change and environmental degradation," said Laos National Tourism Adminstration (LTNA) chairman Somphong Mongkhonvilay, who is also Minister to the Prime Minister's Office.



Said H.E. Mr. Somphong Mongkhonvilay, Minister, Chairman Lao National Tourism Administration: “This innovative conference aims to present modern approaches to sustainable tourism development and management at World Heritage Sites, exchange lessons-learned regarding global best-practice in the ecotourism and community-based tourism sectors.

Lao PDR, Asia's newest and fastest growing tourist destination is well suited to host this event based on its reputation for warm hospitality and wealth of cultural, natural and historic tourism assets including two UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites and a network of 20 National Protected Areas that cover more than 13% of the country.

Valere Tjolle

(KPL) According to the planners who wrote the Vientiane socio-economic plan, 900,000 visitors would be visiting Vientiane capital in the next fiscal year, 2009-2010.

To cater to their basic needs, there are 169 guesthouses, 69 restaurants and 37 tourism sites in Vientiane capital.

It is said that these might not be enough to cater to such a big number of domestic and foreign tourists next year and Vientiane capital is planning to expand its accommodation and tourism facilities.

Its expansion plan is to have 100 hotels, 175 guesthouses, 76 restaurants, 39 tourism sites, four cruise sites and 80 tourism companies.

According to the figures on arrivals at the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge and other local checkpoints, Vientiane capital welcomed more than 400,000 visitors during the first six months of 2008-2009 fiscal year and their total expenditure was US$40 million.

Based on the estimated figures, Vientiane capital is expected to generate US$88 million in income by the end of this year. For the next fiscal year, Vientiane capital is planning to increase investments in tourism infrastructure and to make them more attractive to foreigners.

Lao travel agents seek European markets



The largest ever delegation of Lao travel agents will head for Europe next week to promote the Lao tourism industry.

The Lao Association of Travel Agents will join forces with the Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA) to take part in one of the world's most important travel trade fairs from March 5 to 9 in Berlin , Germany .


Photo: Plain of Jars, Laos

The delegation will be led by the President of the LNTA and Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, Mr Somphong Mongkhonvilay.

To date 11,000 companies and organisations from more than 180 countries have registered to take part in the travel fair, where 26 halls cover a display area of around 150,000 square metres. More than 100,000 trade visitors and over 8,000 travel writers will be there, according to a press release from the association.


Photo: Blue lagoon in Khammouane province, Laos

“Targeting tourism growth from Europe is an important priority for our association. We have been assisted by the European Union's Asia Invest II programme to develop market intelligence and train members in marketing techniques,” said the association's President, Ms Vayakone Bodhisane.

“The strong interest in this event shows that good progress is being made. Member companies are paying their own travel costs to attend, illustrating the importance they attach to this initiative,” Ms Vayakone said.

Many Lao travel agents will continue their journey to France to attend Le Monde á Paris at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles the following week.

This is the first time members of the association will accompany the LNTA, according to association Manager Souksamone Patthammavong.


Wat Sisaket, Vientiane, Laos

Thirteen association members will be represented at the fair. Their stands will feature tourism information and exhibit handicrafts that they will bring with them.

Last year a record number of European tourists visited Laos , with arrivals recorded at 147,682. This was an increase of 6 percent over arrivals in 2006, according to LNTA statistics.

The Asia Invest II programme is assisting the cost of a Lao booth at the travel fair, including training and public relations. A seminar on the event was held at the LNTA earlier this month, with inputs from Germany 's Chartered Institute of Marketing experts, according to the press release.

The Netherlands Development Organisation and Leeds Metropolitan University of the UK are partners in supporting the Lao Association of Travel Agents in the three year Asia Invest II programme ‘Marketing Responsible Tourism in Laos ', it stated.

By Vientianetimes

Photo: The World Peace Committee of Indonesia presented the World Peace Gong to India 2006.

VIENTIANE, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- The World Peace Committee of Indonesia has agreed to present the World Peace Gong to Laos as a country of peace, security and political stability for a long period of time.

The intention was made during the President of the World Peace Committee of Indonesia, Juyoto Santany, visited in Laos and called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun Sisoulith recently.

The world peace gong was found and originated in Moria mountain in Central Java (locally called as "peace"), the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao news agency (KPL) reported Friday.

It is assumed to date back to 450 years.

The world peace gong was first struck on 31 December, 2002, by an Indonesian president in Bali.

The second ring was made in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 5, 2003, by the United Nations Secretary General to mark the opening of the Second Global Summit on Peace.

The gong has also been used at the opening of important international events around the world.

Laos is the third country to receive the replica of the world peace gong from the World Peace Committee of Indonesia after China in 2004 and India in 2006.

The gong is two metres in diameter, made of bronze, weighing 150 kilogrammes.

It is expected to be presented to Laos in a formal ceremony in March.

At the cordial talks, Santany said that the presentation of the World Peace Gong was to appreciate Laos' contribution to the safeguarding of political stability and security in the region by promoting and strengthening friendly ties with neighbouring countries.

At the same time, Laos has also accomplished the national defence and construction, which ensures peace, security, political socio-economic stability in the country, and also strengthens the unity among its ethnic people and ensures the national development in the future.

Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun expressed thanks to Santany and highly valued the delegation of the World Peace Committee of Indonesia that saw the Laos' advance and significant national development of the Lao Government over the past 30 years.

"Peace and stability may not be achieved if a country does not enjoy national unity and has no correct and fair foreign policy based on the five principles of peaceful co-existence," added the Lao Deputy Prime Minister.

Now Laos has maintained diplomatic relations with 126 countries worldwide, been members of various international organisations, and signed many international treaties considered as a great contribution to the maintenance of world peace.

-- BERNAMA

Laos is listed as no. 1 of the world's top 53 tourist destinations for 2008 by the New York Times and one of the cheapest destinations 2007 by famous MSN travel magazine. This time, Laos is listed in the top 5 Soon-to-Be White Hot Tourist Destinations in the world by famous ABC magazine together with Bhutan, Mosco, Kazakhstan and Nicaragua.

Belows are the details:

Venturing off the beaten path is adventure enough for some, but beating down the path itself is for a special breed. For these alpha tourists, the joy of travel is in getting there before the people who wear Mickey Mouse sweatshirts do.

These destinations are poised to become vacation hot spots in the next few years but for now are still ripe for path-beaters to explore. You might have trouble getting around -- or even to -- your destination without a bit of the language or a local friend to help you out, but good stories are what alpha tourists bring home -- not T-shirts.

Laos
Adventure-seekers have already trailed Vietnam and Cambodia.

And while Laos has seen a couple of upscale hotels pop up -- like the Residence Phou Vao and its infinity pool -- there's still plenty of territory with little Western influence.

Though 10 percent of the country lives in the capital city, Vietaine, its lack of modern architecture has preserved an Asian village feel -- though the gilded temples are offset by French colonial architecture.

Don't Miss:
Mekong River: Charter a teak houseboat and float through the countryside along Southeast Asia's longest river. Tours range from three to 18 days and must be booked in advance.

Wat Phou: Six kilometers from the Mekong in southern Laos, this ruined Khmer temple complex dates back to the eleventh century. The name translates to "temple on the mountain," as it sits at the base of Mt. Phu Kao.

Luang Prabang: You can walk just about anywhere in this tiny mountain town, though bikes are available for a cheap day rate. Flanked by mountains and bisected by the Mekong River, the scenery is beautiful as its Royal Palace Museum, once the home of the king before communist takeover.

Kuang Si Falls: Find a day's worth of swimming, river hiking and picnicking at these beautiful waterfalls, just about an hour by boat or tuk-tuk from Luang Prabang. Under the jungle canopy, the climate is quite a bit cooler than in the nearby city.

More Information:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Travel/BusinessTravel/Story?id=4013735&page=1

HANOI, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Lao Airlines opened a new route between the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang and Kunming, capital city of China's Yunnan province to meet the need of growing tourism in the region, Lao newspaper Vientiane Times reported Monday.

"The opening of this new route (on Jan. 5) will mean we can better meet the demand and change in the tourism industry, as more tourists become interested in traveling to the region," said the deputy director of the airline Leuy Bounbandit.

In 2007, Luang Prabang province, home to the World Heritage site, welcomed 320,000 visitors, including 195,175 foreigners, and generated tourism revenues of about 80 million U.S. dollars, said deputy head of the Provincial Tourism Administration, Khamtanh Somphanvilay.

The province is expected to receive 500,000 visitors in 2010, 650,000 visitors in 2015 and 800,000 visitors in 2020, and gain tourism revenues of more than 200 million dollars in 2020, he said.

Now, Lao Airlines operates four flights a week between Vientiane capital and Kunming. The carrier, currently having three aircraft, plans to purchase a new MA60 plane in the near future.

Lao Airlines transported 251,000 passengers in 2005, over 275,000 in 2006, and 330,000 passengers in 2007, the newspaper said.

The Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA) recently opened its new Tourist Information Centre in Vientiane. The Centre is open everyday from 8:30 – 16:00 and contains an exhibition on tourist attractions and activities available in the Lao PDR and neighboring countries. Visit the Centre for maps, transportation schedules, local advice on where to dine and where to stay as well as other essential information. This facility is located on the first floor of the LNTA headquarters on Lane Xang Avenue.

Photo: A sticky rice field on top of the Pha Pon Golden Mountain near Luang Prabang, Laos. A Hmong villager stands admiring the sea of clouds below. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hleung/2071568156/in/photostream/)

Perhaps the world's most famous newspaper, the New York Times, recently named Laos as number one of the world's top 53 tourist destinations to visit in 2008.

Author of the Travel Section of the newspaper, Mr Denny Lee, collected information on the most attractive destinations in the world, and named Laos as the number one place to visit this year.

In his report, Mr Lee states that “Vietnam and Cambodia are so 2007. Now, Laos is shaping up to be Indochina's next hot spot. Ancient sites like the Vat Phou temple complex and Vientiane are drawing culture seekers”.

“F oreigners have praised us because our Party has a clear policy on tourism development that conforms with the latest in world's trends,” the Director of the Lao National Tourism Administration's Marketing Promotion Department, Mr S aly Phimphinith, said on Monday.

Mr Lee mentions the unique delight of a luxury teak houseboat cruising down the Mekong.

“Global nomads are heading to Luang Prabang to sample the Lao tasting menu at 3 Naga, or hang out by the infinity pool at the seriously upscale Résidence Phou Vao.”

Tourist destinations continue to be improved, and the tourist sector has increased its efforts to promote tourism. The government has successfully developed the tourism infrastructure as well as improved all facilities for tourists in the country, Mr Saly said.

The administration has also extended cooperation with neighbouring countries and international organisations to attract more foreign tourists to Laos, he said.

“The country offers stability and safety, while at the same time preserving its many national heritage sites as tourist attractions, and this part of the world has therefore become an attractive destination in which to relax,” Mr Saly said.

Due to the beautiful scenery and views, those tourists interested in nature, as well as fine culture, historical sites and the lifestyle of Lao ethnic groups and Lao people are drawn to the region.

The tourism industry plays a very important role in Lao's economy. It generates sustainable incomes for all Lao people and helps to remove people from the despair of poverty, Mr Saly said.

Since the country first began a specific tourism campaign in 1990-2000, the number of visitors to Laos has rapidly increased.

Foreign visitors to Laos topped 737,208 in 2002, and tourism became one of the nation's leading income earners.

The Lao National Tourism Administration is expecting more than a million visitors to Laos this coming year, generating around US$195 million for the tourism sector.

By vientiane times

The Asian Trails Travel Company, offering varied tours in eight countries in Asia, yesterday officially opened an office in Vientiane to promote local tourism to the world and benefit local communities.

Attending the opening ceremony at the company's office in Khounta Thong village, Sikhotthabong district, were Director Luzi Matzig, Managing Director Inthy Deuansavan, Deputy Chairman of the Lao National Tourism Administration Soukaseum Bodhisane, and various officials.

Asian Trails was first conceived in 1999, and now has its head office in Bangkok , Thailand , with other offices located in Cambodia , China , Indonesia , Malaysia , Myanmar and Vietnam .

The company has established a network which now covers all major Asian tourist destinations, with offices in all strategic inbound tourism centres throughout South East Asia .

Mr Inthy said the tour operation not only focuses on offering varied tours, but also benefits local communities.

We will explain to communities about the importance of the tourist attractions in their neighbourhoods, and the importance of cultural diversity in drawing visitors to Laos ,” he said.

“Once people see they can generate an income from our tours, they will work together to conserve tourist attractions.”

He added that they would also provide as much information as possible to advise visitors how they should behave in these areas, and their responsibilities to the natural environment as tourists.

The company will run tours to all the popular tourist sites in the capital, such as local temples, the National Museum , That Luang Stupa and Patouxay.

Deputy Chairman of the Lao National Tourism Administration Soukaseum Bodhisane said as the number of visitors has rapidly increased over the years, any investments in the tourism sector in Laos would be a good idea.

“Actually, in Laos , there are more than 100 tour operators, but only a dozen of them can operate successfully and internationally. Asian Trails Laos will be one of them,” he said, adding that it would be interesting to find out the secrets behind the company's success.

Asian Trails Laos is also a member of the Lao Association of Travel Agents, which has been established to promote its members on a national level and to contribute to the development of the tourism sector in Laos .

By Phonesavanh Sangsomboun
Vientianetimes

(KPL) The Sayaboury province in collaboration with the National Tourism Authority with support from the Asian Elephant Protection Association will organize the second elephant festival from 15-17 February, 2008 in Paklai district.

The festival is aimed to use the elephants as the tool to promote relations between forest and home elephants and people who used the elephants for business. It is also to preserve the Lao elephants. During the festival, the treatment center will be established to care the hurtful elephants from working or accidents. The visitors will be able to enjoy an elephants parade, elephants beauty contest, a baci ceremony, circus performances, a drawing competition, local boat racing and rocket displays.

The event will also feature traditional dances, a trade fair with local elephant souvenirs and Mahout’s costumes, and a cultural booth. The festival will be attended by 70 elephants. Laos has now just over 2,000 elephants nationwide, including those in village and in the wild.
The Sayabury province has now 448 village elephants and about 1,000 wild elephants, covering 75 percent of total elephants in the country.