Investing in Lao Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a new and growing industry in the Lao PDR and there are many good investment opportunities for ecolodges and tour services.
Laws and regulations in Lao PDR are quite favorable for foreign and local investors that are interested in investing in the ecotourism sector. Below are some links to documents and sites relevant to investing in Lao ecotourism.
The Lao Sustainable Tourism Network
Our aim:
Our aim is to raise awareness of sustainable tourism practices in order to encourage their use in Lao PDR. The network will enable open discussion between all those with an interest in sustainable tourism, and provide an opportunity for sharing information and making contacts.
Dong Amphan
Location: Attapeu, 1,975 sq km
Ecotourism Activities Available: none yet
Key Species: Douc langur and buff-cheeked
gibbon,fishing cat Asiatic golden cat, clouded
leopard and tiger. Gaur, Trong Song muntjac
and small populations of Asian elephants.
There are a total of 280 bird species including
Siamese fireback, crested argus and the
woolly-necked stork & rufous-winged buzzard.
Xe Pian
Location: Champasak and Attapeu, 2,400 sq km
Ecotourism Activities Available: Trekking, bird watching and elephant riding.
Official Website: www.xepian.org
Key Species: Tiger, banteng, irrawaddy dolphin, Asian elephant, gaur, sun bear, Asiatic black bear, yellow-checked crested gibbon. The Xe Pian-Dong Hua Sao NPA gibbon population is of major global conservation significance. Xe Pian has the highest number of birds recorded for any NPA. Seven of these species have not been recorded in any other protected area in Laos. Important species include the giant ibis, black ibis, sarus crane, white-winged duck and the white rumped, long billed and red headed vulture.
Xe Xap
Location: Salavan & Sekong. 1,335 sq km
Ecotourism Activities Available: None yet
Key Species: Two species of bears, gaur, dhole, serow, large antlered muntjac and tigers.
Habitat: Hill evergreen, semi-evergreen and pine forest. The NPA, which encompasses part of the Southern Annamite Mountains, is mostly steep terrain with high plateaus at about 1,400 m. There are very steep faces on the eastern and southern sides of the NPA, rising from 400 - 1,400 m. The highest peak, Dong Be, rises to 2,066 m.
Access: Access is via the road leading from Salavan to Ta-Oy and further east to Samuoy.
Dong Hua Sao
Location: Champasak, 1,100 sq km
Ecotourism Activities Available: none yet
Key Species: Elephant, grey-faced tit-babbler, yellow-cheeked gibbon.
Phou Xieng Thong
Location: Salavan & Champasak, 1,200 sq km
Ecotourism Activities Available: Trekking & orchid photography.
Key Species: Green peafowl, banteng and leopard.
