Phim Hay 360s

For those who plan to visit Laos via boat, or want to explore the beauty of Laos along the main rivers, you can check out this video clip. Laos is very laid-back and green country. No matter where you go, you will never disappointed.

The Sydney Morning Herald describes Laos as the cheapest travel destination in Asia. It’s described as “living-like-a-king-on-the-cost-of-a-packet-of-chips-a-day" !

If you've already been to South-East Asia, you won't need me to tell you how great it is (although bear with me, I have to bang on about it for a second to everyone else).

The place has got pretty much anything you could want in a travel destination, save for maybe some snow.

For starters, it's extremely affordable, particularly now with the number of budget carriers flying there. And when you're there, things range from the cheap (Malaysia, Singapore), to the really cheap (Thailand), to the extremely cheap (Vietnam), to the ridiculously cheap (Cambodia) to the I'm-living-like-a-king-on-the-cost-of-a-packet-of-chips-a-day cheap (Laos).

To read more click HERE >>

The tourism sector in Bokeo province will undertake three development projects to attract visitors to stay longer in the province in coming years.

The tourism department will develop a hot spring and create tourist villages in Tonpheung district in the north of the province, an area that forms part of the Golden Triangle between Laos , Thailand and Myanmar .

Department Director, Mr Vanthong Chittakoun, this week said the department also planned to organise tourist activities including camping and kayaking in the Nam Nhon river in Houayxai district.

Other plans for the area include eco-tourism development in the area of Phouxifa mountain in Paktha district. The main tourist activities there will include rock climbing, camping and trekking.

Mr Vanthong said the Asian Development Bank had agreed to provide financial support and he expected the projects to begin in 2009.

Bokeo currently serves as a gateway for tourists who are travelling across the Mekong River to or from Chiang Rai province in Thailand .

“Of all the tourists who come to the province 80 percent of them will get on a boat and go to other provinces,” Mr Vanthong said.

A lot of tourists visit Bokeo, but most of them do not stay there because of the lack of tourist facilities. The city is currently just a transit route for visitors on their way to places such as Luang Namtha and Luang Prabang provinces, and Pakbaeng district of Oudomxay province.

A guesthouse manager in Houayxai district told Vientiane Times that many of his guests arrived via the Mekong River from Thailand and most stayed for only one night.

Bokeo has a lot of attractive tourist sites such as the Nam Nhon waterfall, hot springs and hill villages, but few of them have been developed or promoted.

Mr Vanthong said the province currently had few visitor attractions, although there was a nature tourism site in the Namkan conservation area, managed by a French investor.

This site is about 80km from the province's capital city Houayxai.

Another attraction is Donxao island in Tonpheung district, which is about 50km from the provincial capital. Many of the tourists who cross the Mekong River at Chiang Saen in Chiang Rai province stop at the island to buy souvenirs and handmade products.

More than 88,000 tourists have visited the province this year, an increase from the 20,000 visitors last year, according to statistics from the provincial tourism sector.

Vientianetimes

The Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA) has pledged to protect children from sexual abuse by travellers and tourists.

Representatives from many branches of the tourist sector gathered to learn about effective methods to recognise and report suspicious behaviour at the Child Wise Tourism Training workshop held yesterday in Vientiane .

Speaking at the workshop, LNTA Vice Chairman Soukaseum Bodhisane said it was mainly those working in the tourism sector who were most likely to observe this abhorrent behaviour on the part of some tourists.



“The number of tourists flocking into Asia each year has grown into millions,” Mr Soukaseum said.

“While most travellers are responsible and respectful, there is a small minority who travel solely to exploit children in places where they think they can get away with it,” he said. “This is a crisis for the tourism industry.”

The commercial sexual exploitation of children is a global problem, causing unimaginable harm to millions of children every year. Child sex offenders visit destinations where they think they can sexually abuse children without being identified, according to a press release from Child Wise Australia.

The half-day workshop was organised by the LNTA with the support of Child Wise and the Australian government. More than 50 participants attended, including hotel staff, taxi drivers, tour guides and operators, and tourist police.

The workshop helped to highlight the ongoing commitment of Laos to ensuring that the rights of its children are protected from all forms of abuse, the press release said.

Laos is actively committed to ending child sex tourism, which is a serious crime punishable by law. Local and international law enforcement agencies have teamed together to ensure stronger policing and prevention.

The education of the tourism sector is a powerful means to protect children. Staff have direct contact with tourists on a daily basis, and they are well placed to detect and report situations where children may be at risk.

Responsible tourism is everyone's responsibility. Local citizens and responsible tourists can be active in child protection. If you observe a situation where you believe a child may be at risk, please call the hotline number anytime on 021-251128.

The campaign against child sex tourism in Laos started in 2005 to protect children from sexual abuse by travellers both foreign and local, with the assistance of Child Wise and the Australian government.

By vientiane times
Photo: flickr

By Terry Sweetman
THERE may be a more idyllic place in Asia than Luang Prabang, but I'm yet to find it.

It was described in 1861 by French explorer Henri Mouhot as "a delightful little town, set in its amphitheatre of mountains a paradise". The description still holds.
The now large town/little city on a peninsula formed by the Mekong and its tributaries in the central north of Laos is a routine stopover for kids in quest of the backpackers' far frontier, for unreconstructed hippies, for undemanding tourists, and for baby boomers in search of that elusive sea change as retirement looms.

It is home to a whole atlas of mostly interesting expats and to the most charming and gentle people you're likely to meet.

(Where else would immigration officials contain themselves to a quiet giggle when matrimonial passports and visas are mixed up?)

What locks Luang Prabang in a time warp of simple values is its UNESCO World Heritage listing since 1995 and, I guess, the conservatism that comes with a democratic people's republic.



Were it not for those factors, it would doubtlessly be under threat from the high-rise shysters who have destroyed the character of so many Asian cities.

And, for reasons I could never quite pin down, it seems to have largely escaped the American aerial assault of the 1960s-70s – when Laos is said to have become the most bombed country on the globe – although locals say the airport copped a regular beating.

What got UNESCO interested was the fact that the town "bears witness to major cultural exchanges between three communities – the Lao, the Vietnamese and French": "The rich architectural fabric of the city is expressed through its mixture of styles and materials, which must be preserved."

For the tourist, that major culture exchange has left a wealthy legacy of buildings ranging from solid French brick to the simple wood of Lao tradition.

And it has left a cuisine that ranges from the complex Laotian, based on gentle herbs and spices, to the fiery chilli-based dishes of Vietnamese persuasion and the solidly, sometimes nostalgic, French.

To me, markets are the waste spaces between bars and restaurants, but my wife could not believe the craftsmanship and value of the primitif embroidery and applique

With it comes wine of reasonable taste and value and the most excellent Beer Lao.

(Stay out of French restaurants and wine bars and you can eat and sup very well for no more than $5.)

Historically, the commercial heart of Luang Prabang lay in the substantial stores and warehouses strung along the Mekong, many of which have been transformed into guesthouses.



Across the street – Souvanbanlang – and high on the banks of the Mekong are myriad outdoor bars, restaurants, eateries and stalls.

Sit there at dusk, beer in hand, facing the Mekong, with dinner cooking across the road, and it still is M. Mouhot's little paradise.

This for me is the essence of Luang Prabang, although the younger set seems to like the parallel Sisavangvong with its similar collection of bars, eateries, souvenir joints and adventure travel agents.

In Luang Prabang terms, Souvanbanlang swings with the breeze; Sisavangvong rocks.

One of the practicalities of UNESCO's reign has been a frenzy of drainage and construction that makes Luang Prabang a pedestrian's delight (although beware of storm drains on dark nights).

That and an air of well-maintained cleanliness makes Luang Prabang a comfortable stay for even the most nervous traveller.

(And what's more comfortable in Asian terms than the need for a light pullover after dark over Christmas?)

Reinforcing the comfort is a laidback approach to affairs that can't quite muster the energy to join the shirt-tugging "you-buy" annoyance zone of most Asian tourist cities.

In fact, in the craft markets where hill people sell silks, silver and embroidery, they are sometimes so laidback it can be difficult to unload a dollar.

To me, markets are the waste spaces between bars and restaurants, but my wife could not believe the craftsmanship and value of the primitif embroidery and applique.

There is plenty of junk around, but smiths still beat out the rhythm of their craft in silver shops and exquisite silk can be found, although common sense tells you that village hand looms could not produce all the goods on offer.

The Luang Prabang riverfront is a hub for energetic young things organising elephant treks, Kuang Si waterfall daytrips or speedboat/slowboat excursions to Thailand or Vietnam. But an occasional foray to the villages on the other side and a boat trip upriver to a few craft (read tourist trap) villages and the remarkable Pak Ou cave temple were sufficient exertion for me.

If temples are your thing, Luang Prabang is your kind of town. Noblest of all is Wat Phousi in the centre of town, where a steep climb takes you nearer to heaven (and to the obligatory anti-aircraft gun site) and gives a marvellous view of the city and surrounds.

A less strenuous touch with the spiritual is to get up early and watch the monks collecting their daily rice from devout Buddhist citizens.

But for me, the abiding earthly memory was to be chased down the street by a waiter with the change I'd left as a tip. That's nice.



LUANG PRABANG

GO Bangkok and on with Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com).

STAY Accommodation varies from four-star (for example Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel) to backpacker digs. Guesthouses range from budget to moderately expensive. Visit www.luang-prabang-hotels.com, www.laopdr.com or www.asiahotels.com.

COSTS Expect to pay no more than $A1 a dish at restaurants.

VISA Required.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23257718-17102,00.html

Luang Namtha provincial authorities are upgrading the standards of tourism entrepreneurs and facilities to meet an expected increase in the number of visitors.

The provincial tourism department yesterday organised a training course on hotel, guesthouse and restaurant services for staff and managers of these businesses.

Luang Namtha Vice Governor Phanthong Phitthomma told Vientiane Times on Tuesday in a telephone interview that the course was an effort to improve services.

The province has 67 guesthouses and hotels, but this is not enough to meet current demands and many of them need to be improved.

The province has encouraged Chinese investors to build two six-storey hotels in the provincial capital, Mr Phanthong said.

Luang Namtha authorities project the number of tourists will increase steadily over the next two years; the renovated airport and the new R3 highway both officially open next month.

The highway passes through the northern provinces of Luang Namtha and Bokeo, and is part of an arterial route linking Kunming in China with Bangkok , Thailand .

Mr Phanthong said the province is developing its road network and tourist infrastructure to facilitate more convenient travel.

Luang Namtha province has many tourist attractions such as the Nam Ha National Protected Area, a well known forested area, and the drawcard of cultural tourism due to the diverse ethnic groups with their unique lifestyles and traditions.

In 2006, more than 50,000 tourists visited the province, coming mostly from New Zealand , followed by France , the USA and the United Kingdom .

The Deputy Director of the province's Tourism Department, Mr Sengchanh Pasuetsak, said yesterday that most tourists arrive by road from Vientiane and others come from Thailand via Bokeo province on highway R3.

It is expected that tourist arrivals could rise to 80,000 by 2010, as the popularity of the province is just beginning to increase.


By Manichanh Pansivongsay

Photo: Xiengthong temple, Luang prabang

(KPL) The first world heritage town of the Lao PDR, Luang Prabang, has been voted the most popular town of the world.

The votes were released in England’s Wanderlust Magazine.

According to Luang Prabang Tourist Office, the world heritage town of Luang Prabang has been selected among 615 tourist towns world-wide. The town has won the honour for three consecutive years since 2006 followed by Spain and Italy.

Amid the rising number of tourist arrivals, Lao people are proud of the ranking for the country’s jewel - Luang Prabang.

Mr Khamtanh Somphanvilay, Deputy Head of Luang Prabang Tourism Office, said he believed that the selection would augment this year’s number of tourist arrivals at least to 300,000, which will bring about US$ 100 million.

He added that Laos could not vote for itself and won such an honour for Luang Prabang. But it was the result of a unanimous voting by a number of tourists and tourism companies around the world through England’s Wanderlust Magazine.

Last year, the ancient town in northern Laos was closely kept an eye on by the competent UN agency for local activities of urban development, which could cause damage to efforts of preservation of the value of the ancient culture and unique architecture of Luang Prabang. In this respect, we have cooperated with local authorities and central levels to monitor and inspect activities occurring in the town, but we believed that all things must proceed within the scope enforced regulations and laws, explained Mr Khamtanh.

Luang Prabang was proclaimed by UNESCO as the first world heritage town in Laos in 1995. Since then, this dormant ancient town has been waken up by an influx of tourists from all corners of the world.

In parallel with the invasion of tourists the town also sees floods of external investment. All these could put the heritage town at risk of damaging its ancestor’s traditional way of life and value, and ancient architectural heritage if no measure is taken to control development activities to a proper extent.

Source: kpl

Edinburgh has been voted the 10th best of 613 world cities in a survey conducted by a UK travel magazine.

The Scottish capital is the first UK city ever to feature in the annual top 10 decided by 3,000 readers of Wanderlust Magazine.

Luang Prabang in Laos was voted the best in the world while Glasgow came 34th - three places behind London.

Rio de Janeiro's carnival in Brazil was voted the world's best festival with the Edinburgh Festival ranked third.

The results of the reader survey were announced at the Destination Travel Show at Olympia in London

WORLD'S 'TOP 10 CITIES'
1. Luang Prabang, Laos
2. Santiago de Compostela, Spain
3. Venice
4. San Francisco
5. Sydney
6. Hong Kong
7. Lhasa, Tibet
8. Dubrovnik, Croatia
9. Cusco, Peru
10. Edinburgh

Lyn Hughes, editor-in-chief of Wanderlust magazine said Edinburgh's ranking "proves that we Brits don't have to travel far to experience an exciting, world class city that's rich in history and offers the very best in culture, food, architecture and entertainment."

The leading travel magazine has been running the annual poll since 2001.

More info: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Edinburgh-voted-top--destination.3734497.jp

Source: BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7220391.stm

Beer Lao, the best beer in Asia, finally released their new TV advertisement on January 2008. Check out the clip, click the youtube above to play.

(KPL) As everybody know that the 2nd Elephant Festivals will take place in Paklay district, Sayaboury province between 15 and 17 February with more activities to impress visitors.
Paklay district is always famed for elephants. The skilled training and handling capabilities of local mahouts have made Paklay the focal point of Lao elephant lore. In Paklay, elephants are sacred. They have been man’s best friend since time immemorial.
Traditionally used for work in the forest, these magnificent animals are now looking forward to meeting visitors at this second elephant festival, giving them the chance to discover the riches and marvels of the cultural and natural world surrounding them. Who could pretend to have visited Laos, the “Land of a Million Elephants”, without meeting one of these superb animals? So, come and meet the elephants and their masters at the Elephant Festival.

Friday 15 February 2008
OPENING
Opening Ceremony. Elephant Procession. Elephant Bath. Mahoutship Demonstration. Lectures. Live Art performances. Tug-of-War Contest. Vientiane Circus show. Showing of "Caravan Xang" Film on giant screen. Traditional dances, concert, fun fair and Night market.

Saturday 16 February 2008
TRIBUTE TO THE ELEPHANT
Paklay Traditions Procession (Rockets, boats, traditional masks). "Female Elephant of the Year" procession. Elephant Bath. Mahoutship Demonstration. Boat race and rocket festival. Vientiane Circus show. Showing of "Chang" film on giant screen. Traditional dances, concert, fun Fair and Night market.

Sunday 17 February 2008
THE LAO ELEPHANT DAY
Male "Elephants of the Year" Procession. Monks blessing. Elephant Baci ceremony. Young elephant taming ceremony. Outdoors Elephant Museum . Elephant race. Contemporary Art exhibition. Drawing contest. Traditional fireworks. Show & Concert. Fun Fair.



How to get to Paklay?

FROM INSIDE LAOS
From Vientiane (about 6 hours)

By road : Take the Luang Prabang road (13N) up to Hin Heup (100km). Turn left in the direction of Muang Feuang and follow the road down to Sanakham. In Sanakham continue up to Paklay and cross the Mekong (ferry boat).

BUS SERVICE AVAILABLE IN VIENTIANE (9hrs).

By boat (recommended): Regulars line up to Paklay and down to Vientiane (departing in the morning).
FULL DAY cruise.
From Luang Prabang (about a day)

By road : Drive down to Xieng Ngeun and take the direction of Sayabouri. In Sayabouri drive down south to Paklay (152 km).
BUS SERVICE AVAILABLE IN LUANG PRABANG.

NO BOATS FROM LUANG PRABANG


FROM OUTSIDE LAOS

Thailand
Enter Laos through the international border check point of Tha-Li / Kenthao in Loei province. Drive to Paklay (57 km).

NOTE: You need a valid entry VISA to Laos if you plan to enter from this check point.
There is NO VISA ON ARRIVAL.

Access to the festival is free to the public.

Visitors to the Elephant Festival are welcome either on group tours or as individual travellers. You can book your stay through travel agent or come by your own means.

Accommodation is available in Paklay, though in limited numbers. A home stay programme has also been set up with villagers in Paklay. Rooms will be available for rent at a unique price throughout the festival. Rooms within the Home Stay program are equipped with a double bed, mosquito net and clean sheets.

For travellers who prefer camping, land will be available to install tents near the festival's site (tents and camping equipment are not provided).

The conditions can be somewhat rudimentary. Travellers are expected to be open-minded and looking for an authentic experience in the heart of Laotian culture. Participants must be aware that there are limited numbers of western-style toilets and washing facilities. Sleeping is on a bamboo floor or local wooden beds, dormitory style, in traditional houses.

In February, be aware that temperatures can drop at nights. A fleece and long pants are useful items. Food will be local and available at the numerous food stalls.

What to Bring Along?

Light clothing made from natural fibres is the best clothing for Laos.

Malaria and Dengue fever are a problem in Laos. However, with caution, they can easily be avoided.

Sleep with a mosquito net
Wear long sleeves and trousers around dusk
Use plenty of strong insect repellant - some brands can be applied directly on clothing
Money

The unit of currency in Laos is the Kip. Currency may not be changed during the festival.

We suggest you keep a ready supply of KIP notes or smaller US dollar bills. If you have arrived from Thailand , you may bring Thai Baht too. Credit cards cannot be used in Paklay.

As the world gets wise to warming and brave new travelers embrace low impact lifestyles, green travel has become one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry.

Despite its rap as a collection of chic spas for wealthy, guilt-addled liberals who shell out $4,000 to commune with gorillas, green travel isn’t about giving a tour operator a month’s salary for some Disney-like attraction or consumer experience.

Traveling green is about finding and supporting destinations that have seen the light, and are already working to green-up their tourist offerings.

Seeking out green places to travel isn’t all that hard. Even New York City offers the possibility of an ecologically responsible vacation. Many travelers can get to New York by train, removing the need for a high-impact airplane ride. A tiny hotel room in SoHo uses less electricity than a deluxe suite in Aspen.

Plus, New York is a city built for walking, with solid public transport to boot. Time Out recently named New York the perfect place to “be green without doing crap.”

Here are 5 more eco-friendly destinations to put on your travel radar:



Luang Prabang, Laos

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic has made it their mission to bring this Southeast Asian country (which is landlocked by Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand) to the forefront of tourism. It’s working - Laos was #1 on the New York Times’ list of places to go in 2008.

However, the Lao government is aiming to increase tourism sustainably so as to protect their native wildlife, lush land and clean rivers, and preserve their two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Ancient City of Luang Prabang and pre-Angkorian Vat Phou Temple Complex. Another Heritage Site-to-be is the Plain of Jars in the highlands of north-central Laos.

The Lao National Tourism Administration has a dozen award-winning eco-tourism projects currently in development, spreading country wide to encourage smaller provinces to set up sustainable tourism, help protect over-exposed areas, and begin programs such as homestays, eco-treks, and local art exhibitions.

What’s Lao for “rocking it?”

Mjølfjell, Norway

Norway is so eco-conscious it balks when a marketer calls a Prius or Tesla green.

While other European countries have aimed to cut their carbon emissions by 20% by 2020, Norway has upped the ante to 30%. Norway is also helping China come up with ways to combat climate change.

Get out of Oslo and head into the mountains and you’ll see a lot of sustainable housing, including the Mjolfjell Inn and Youth Hostel .

A destination in and of itself, the inn offers the standard outdoor fare (skiing, horseback riding, even a wildlife survival course) and also produces its own electricity.

Not bad for the world’s #5 oil exporter.

Belize City, Belize

Home to the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, Belize is deeply committed to eco-tourism. Offshore, Belize boasts a number of cayes, some of which have been turned into eco-resorts, but others that remain pristine homes for birds, lizards and marine life.

Whale watching is a popular attraction here, as is mountain biking, horseback riding, and cave tubing. Go outside of the sandy city into the Mountain Pine Ridge Area and Maya Mountains, which have amazingly-preserved Mayan ruins. You’ll also find plenty of local artists and artisans to support in town.

While the Caribbean and Latin America are full of eco-tours and spas, you can also appreciate their beauty and natural preservation by traveling independently. Be sure to check out the preservations in Tobago (Trinidad’s less commercialized sister), the diverse terrain of Guadeloupe, and the stunning rainforests of Costa Rica.

Zurich, Switzerland

Voted the city with the highest quality of life in the world, Zurich was also recently ranked by Forbes as number 8 on their list of Top 10 Cleanest Cities.

Voted the city with the highest quality of life in the world, Zurich was also recently ranked by Forbes as number 8 on their list of Top 10 Cleanest Cities.

The city’s public transportation works like clockwork (no pun intended) to the point where very few residents own cars. There is also a large local foods industry, including cheeses that will make your deli’s Swiss cheese taste like plastic.

The world’s first four chocolate makers were also all Swiss, so you can take comfort in knowing you’re supporting local growers with those truffles and hot chocolates.

I single out Zurich here, but the rest of Switzerland is great for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint while still traveling Europe. Not only do you get the Alps and clean living, you can explore areas heavily influenced by the Germans, French, and Italians.

Thenmala, India

Surprised?

Even though India has some of the most polluted cities in the world, there are some areas that are working to green their environment. While other regions try to slap an “eco-tourism” label on what is really just nature tourism (“Over there is a rare flower,” “Look up there at the tree,” “Check out the elephant,” and back on the bus), Thenmala is taking green travel to heart.

The local Thenmala government, tourism office, and irrigation department are teaming up with residents to to make green tourism a coordinated effort. The best part? You’ll not only get to visit the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary (part rainforest, part deciduous forest), but the tour guides are local youths who are trained in sustainable tourism. Now that’s something to feel good about.

Of course, there’s more than just this Fab Five. In fact, you can find plenty of eco-friendly destinations (from the transportation to lodgings to the cocktail hour) on every continent.

Source: http://travelreviewonline.com/2008/01/21/5-green-travel-destinations-for-2008/

ABC News, the Town and Country Magazine Reveals Off-the-Beaten-Path Hot Spots for '08
and Laos has been voted as the the Best Travel Destinations for 2008 in Asia. Here is their reason.

Laos, Asia
Unlike most international destinations these days, the U.S. dollar still goes a long way here. Laos is one of the last undiscovered spots in Southeast Asia. The country is landlocked, so it has been protected from the development that has taken place in neighboring countries. Laos is what Thailand was 50 years ago.

Source: http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/BusinessTravel/Story?id=4120741&page=1

(KPL) Champassak province is accelerating the improvement of tourism sites to deal with the increments of tourists averaged by 45 per cent increase.
Last year, the trend of tourists and the tourism sites increased considerably leading to hundred thousands of tourists visited Champassak, said Mr Khamphol Nouasengsy, Head of Provincial Tourism Service, last week.

He continued that over the past one year, the tourism saw it grew rapidly, particularly Champassak province. The number of tourists visited Champassak province exceeded the plan with a total number of 165,750 tourists, of whom 45,605 foreigners.

This is due to the province is abundant with nature and the potential of natural resource, archeological and historical sites where attracted tourists currently.
Now entire the province has a total tourism sites of 206, of which 109 natural sites, 57 cultural sites and historical sites.

Over 20 tourism companies are providing the service for tourists, of which nine main companies, 11 branches and one agent.

Source: kpl

(KPL) This year, the number of tourist arrivals in the country has soared to 1.4 million, up over the previous year’s. The majority of tourists are from neighbouring countries, especially Thailand.

According to the Lao National Tourism Administration, the number of tourist arrivals in 2007 stood at 1.4 million, up from 1.2 million in 2006.
Mr Soukkaseum Phothilad, Deputy-President of the Lao National Tourism Administration (NTA) last week disclosed that this year the Lao PDR was able to earn at least US$ 200 million from the tourism sector.

He said that the major destinations were Vientiane Capital with 800,000 arrivals, followed by central Savannakhet province with 192,000 arrivals and Luang Prabang province with 151,700.
An NTA official said that the rise was attributed to the abundance in ethnic minorities, natural beauty, the world heritage status of tourist sites, archaeologies and the hospitality of Lao people.

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