"Amidst a fanfare of trunks a-trumpeting, the newly established Elephant Conservation Center (ECC) is now open," reports Tracy Brookshaw in the latest issue of Champa Holidays magazine.
ECC is located just two hours from Luang Prabang on the outskirts of Sayabouly Town, host of this February's annual Lao Elephant Festival, and "provides a welcome escape from this busy tourist hub (Luang Prabang)."
The center offers accommodation and a variety of activities from trekking alongside an elephant and visiting the elephant hospital to watching mother elephants feed their calves and living with mahouts.
In her article, "Elephants Return to their Jungle Roots", Tracy explains, "The first of its kind in Laos, the Center, launched in association with conservation organization, ElefantAsia, is not another elephant camp, but an innovative approach that combines conservation of an endangered species with ecotourism."
She notes there are approximately 420 domesticated elephants and around 400 wild elephants left in Laos.
To download "Elephants Return to their Jungle Roots", click here.
To view this issue of Champa Holidays, visit: www.champaholiday.com.
For more information on ECC, visit:
www.elephantconservationcenter.com.
For tourist information on Sayabouly, visit: www.sayaboulytourism.com.
The JICA-ASEAN LPP Tourism Promotion Component has published Thai, Indonesian and Korean versions of its set of themed Lao tourism brochures, which can also be downloaded on the project's site.
This brings the brochure's number of available languages to seven as the LNTA heads to Manado, Indonesia to promote Lao tourism at this month's 31st ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF).
According to the JICA Project's newsletter, ATF 2012 presents an excellent opportunity to promote Visit Laos Year 2012, especially considering Laos will host ATF 2013 next January.
The LNTA will distribute the brochures to buyers attending the forum's TRAVEX trade show.
The Indonesian version is intended for local tourism businesses in Manado and throughout the nation, which might be more effective in attracting business than only offering an English version.
A German version will be completed in time for the ITB Berlin global travel trade show, and a Chinese version is also being considered.
To download the brochures, click here.
For more information, click here.
To post your comments or start a discussion, visit the:
Ecotourism Laos Google Group.
Luang Prabang's Provincial Tourism Department PTD sank 400 million kip into repairing and rebuilding facilities at the popular Kuangsi Waterfall, which had been damaged by tropical typhoons, to better serve the site's increasing number of visitors.
Luang Prabang PTD Director Khampouy Phommavong told the Khaosan Pathet Lao (KPL) Newswire that the main gate and 45-meter-long Bailey bridge to the waterfall have been rebuilt.
He added, "This year is Visit Laos Year 2012 and the Tourism Division of Luang Prabang Province will further develop tourist destinations in 12 districts to attract both domestic and foreign visitors, and encourage domestic tourists to buy tourism services or products under the slogan "Laos visit Laos" to strengthen and ensure the sustainability of tourism in the country."
For more information on Luang Prabang, visit:
www.tourismluangprabang.org, or click here.
To post your comments or start a discussion, visit the:
Ecotourism Laos Google Group.
Many tourists to Laos are welcomed to small villages with a Baci ceremony, and in the latest issue of Champa Holidays magazine, Somsanouk Mixay presents the background of this tradition in a short essay entitled "Soo Kwan: Calling the spirits that inhabit the human body".
He explains how pre-14th century Lao people were Animists and believed in spirits (Phee), and though Laos is now a Buddhist country, the belief in spirits is still widely held, even among the Buddhists.
Somsanouk goes on to introduce the existence of Kwan, the spirits that inhabit the main parts of the human body, a notion he says runs parallel to Buddhism.
Every section of the human body has its own Kwan, from the eyes and eyebrows to bones. Kwan are also believed to be volatile, and can leave their body parts during major life experiences such as illness, an accident, a long journey, and change of social position.
To facilitate the return of a Kwan, a Baci or Soo Kwan ceremony must be carried out. These are held within the family, in businesses, and to welcome guests.
To download "Soo Kwan: Calling the spirits that inhabit the human
body", click here.
To view this issue of Champa Holidays, visit: www.champaholiday.com.
To post your comments or start a discussion, visit the:
Ecotourism Laos Google Group.
The Lao government has approved 6 billion kip (USD750,000) for the "Visit Laos Year 2012" campaign.
Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT) Marketing and Promotion Department Director General Saly Phimphinith told the Vientiane Times the money will mostly be used to launch a global publicity campaign.
He said the funds will enable Lao officials and tourism representatives to attend international travel trade events to promote the country and to invite the worldwide media to visit.
Funds from the budget have also been earmarked for organizing large-scale performances that display Lao culture such as traditional music and dance, traditional and contemporary fashions, and the lifestyle of the country's various ethnic minorities.
Special events will be organized in conjunction with annual festivals in various provinces.
He called on Lao people to act as ambassadors of their country's culture and traditions, and to display the warmth and hospitality that greatly contribute to Laos' reputation as a sought after tourist destination.
The Vientiane Times also reported that many tourists appreciate the natural beauty and peacefulness of Laos, but complain there is too little information about the country.
Laos held its first Visit Laos Year in 1999-2000, and Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly kicked off this year's campaign on 31 December at a ceremony held at the National Culture Hall in Vientiane.
For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/visitlaos.
For tourist information on Laos, visit: www.stdplaos.com/web-based
To post your comments or start a discussion, visit the:
Ecotourism Laos Google Group.
Indecision on which agency will collect the recently imposed tourist fee remained a hot topic at this year's Lao Business Forum at the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The event brings together government agencies and businesses every January, and according to VietStock.com, private sector representatives at this year's meeting wanted to know which government body would be responsible for collecting the tourist fee.
However, due to the different objectives of customs and tax authorities, it is still unclear which agency should implement the collection.
In 2010, the LNTA said the Finance Ministry had been assigned to oversee the collection of USD1 and USD2 fees from border pass and passport holders respectively.
The tax authority was responsible for collecting the fees from outgoing tourists, while tour companies were instructed to collect money from incoming tourists and give it to the LNTA.
The tax department and LNTA then established a committee to draft a resolution on collecting, managing, and using the tourism funds.
The LNTA recently reported that the issue had almost been resolved, but it was still waiting for a receipt template, which needs to be approved by the Finance Ministry.
However, according to the Lao Business Forum report received by VietStock.com, there has been no response from the government since last year.
In the Lao Business Forum Working Group Meeting, businesses suggested that the fee be collected at the border by government officials rather than by hotel owners.
For more information, visit: www.tourismlaos.org.
To post your comments or start a discussion, visit the:
Ecotourism Laos Google Group.
Lao Central Airlines (LCA) wasted no time in getting off the ground after taking delivery of its second jet on 27 December 2011, running a special inaugural flight from Vientiane to Luang Prabang on Friday, 30 December.
LCA CEO Savanhphone Phongsavanh said the trip, whose passengers included 99 monks and visitors, flew on the airline's 168-seat Boeing 737-400, just a few days after its arrival, according to an Asian News Network report.
The privately-owned airline will organize a similar trip from Vientiane to Pakxe in Champasak Province this month.
LCA board member, Thonsay Inthisane, told the local press, "We will officially launch…after the tour to Pakxe," adding that this could occur "by the end of this month," when the airline plans to introduce service on the Vientiane-Bangkok route, followed by flights to Cambodia, China, Vietnam and Singapore.
The launch is awaiting preparations for ticket sales and services, but now that LCA has two planes, as required by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the airline can offer flights.
Mr Thongsay said the current fleet includes two Boeing 737-400s, which will mostly be used for regional services, "and two 19-seat aircraft that will mainly serve the domestic market."
In May 2010, LCA placed an order for three Russian-made Sukhoi Superjet-100s for delivery in the second half of this year.
TTR Weekly recently talked to an official at Thailand's Department of Civil Aviation, who confirmed the airline had requested time slots at Suvarnabhumi Airport, but had not yet confirmed a flight schedule.
To post your comments or start a discussion, visit the:
Ecotourism Laos Google Group.
A Japanese company has proposed a sustainable development project in Vientiane's wetlands including That Luang Marsh, but critics wonder what constitutes "sustainable" and claim the wetlands serve as a natural barrier against flooding, according to a TTR Weekly report.
The Vientiane Times stated that the government must approve the plan, which covers five zones over an area of 2,200 hectares, most of which is wetlands.
According to TTR Weekly, the 20-square-kilometer That Luang Marsh is the capital's largest remaining wetlands, and is part of the That Luang Basin, which collects water that drains from Vientiane City and surrounding areas.
The marsh prevents flooding in Vientiane via natural channels and drainage, and the environmental lobby is likely to campaign against the proposal, claiming it will further damage the capital's environment.
A commercial zone is planned in the vicinity of That Luang stupa, one of Laos' most revered religious sites and a popular tourist attraction.
A six-lane highway will run through the wetlands between the 450 Year Road and the Phonthan T-junction to the villages of Nonvay and Nakhuay.
To post your comments or start a discussion, visit the:
Ecotourism Laos Google Group.
Joleen Lunjew recently published a feature article, "Making a Difference", on Malaysia's Star Online site about SAELAO's efforts to create a sustainable future for a village near Vang Vieng.
SAELAO is a community-based, non-profit organization working in Ban Nathong, located about 7 km from Vang Vieng Town and close to Poukham Cave and Blue Lagoon, two popular sites for tourists.
Ms Lunjew tells how Sengkeo "Bob" Frichitthavong, who returned to Vang Vieng after 12 years in Canada, saw massive changes to the environment, and wanted to preserve what remained.
Along with Frenchwoman, Anaïs Maumet, he established SAELAO in 2008 to "address the problem of ecological imbalance through a series of sustainable projects," Ms Lunjew writes. "Top on their list is educating the locals on environmental issues and showing how they can make a difference."
Much of the activities held in the community center are educational: English lessons, computer classes, a library, and presentations on sustainability.
SAELAO reduces firewood consumption through rocket stoves that require a fraction of the wood normally needed. They are also building a biogas facility that converts cow manure into fuel.
Other projects include a water-recycling system and storage containers made with natural materials like banana leaves and clay.
SAELAO's restaurant uses organic produce and free-range livestock to prepare traditional Laos dishes and fruit shakes, making it an excellent dining and resting spot for visitors heading to the tourist sites.
The community centre will soon house information on local handicrafts and showcase traditional weaving techniques to tourists.
Bob and his wife also run Sengkeo Guesthouse in the Vang Vieng Town, which contributes 20 per cent of its profits to the project.
Tourism businesses in Vang Vieng have noted an increase in tourists during this high season, which is currently underway, according to a report on the Khaosan Pathet Lao (KPL) Newswire.
Mrs Oun, who has owned and operated Sokdy restaurant for 10 years, said the number of tourists is deferent every year. "This year is better than previous years, because we saw a considerable rise in the number of our customers…If a natural disaster or financial crisis occurs, the number of tourists will decrease."
Clothing shop owner, Mrs Latsamy, said, "I am very happy this year." She is selling 20-25 more items a day than in previous years.
Sisavang Guesthouse also pointed to a rise in the number of tourists.
To download Vang Vieng tourist information, click here.
To post your comments or start a discussion, visit the:
Ecotourism Laos Google Group.
Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam Meet on Shared Highways:
Representatives from Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam met in Vietnam's central Quang Binh Province on 6 January to discuss measures to boost cooperation and sustainable development on Lao Highways 8 and 9 and the Vietnamese to Thai routes they link.
The Vietnam News Agency reported that the meeting agreed to strengthen cooperation among the the three countries' provinces involved and ask their governments to form a framework agreement to facilitate transport along the highways, in an effort to increase tourism and trade among countries in the Mekong sub-region.
Highway 8 runs through Laos' Khammouane Province and links Thailand's Nakhon Phanom with Vinh in Vietnam, and Highway 9 connects Thailand's Mukdahan Province with central Vietnam via Laos' Savannakhet Province.
Representatives from the participating provinces signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in tourism, transport, culture, education and training, and other areas.
For visitor information on Khammouane Province, click here.
For visitor information on Savannakhet Province, click here.
To post your comments or start a discussion, visit the:
Ecotourism Laos Google Group.
Sayabouly District will host the province's 6th Annual Lao Elephant Festival from 17-19 February 2012.
The annual fêté draws thousands of elephant fans to the ceremonies, processions, and performances to pay tribute to the national symbol of "The Land of a Million Elephants".
Home to the country's largest pachyderm population, Sayabouly Province is the natural choice to host this growing event that also aims to raise awareness about the need to protect the endangered Asian elephant, which has played such a vital role in Lao people's livelihoods, culture and heritage.
After an opening ceremony, a procession of elephants enters the host village through a bamboo arch. The elephants bathe and are blessed by monks, with participants making merit in a baci ceremony, before with the election of the "Elephant of the Year". Then the entertainment begins: pachyderm performances, musical concerts, outdoor films, dance shows, and fireworks displays in a carnival atmosphere that includes elephant rides and a "Fun Fair".
After the second day's procession and religious ceremony, mahouts round up their massive mammals for a day of elephant entertainment and visitor education capped with the crowning of the Elephant of the Year. For an even more authentic experience, visitors can book a village home stay.
For more information, visit: www.laoelephantfestival.com and www.sayaboulytourism.com.
To post your comments or start a discussion, visit the:
Ecotourism Laos Google Group.
