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Bounlap Douangphoumy faced a trial by fire at the Laos Media Briefing during the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on 25 January, when international travel journalists grilled him over why tourist arrivals annually tumbled by 10% in 2016, and a repeat performance is expected when the 2017 tally comes in. Mr Douangphoumy, … Read more

  By John Morris Williams The annual Luang Prabang Handicraft Festival is underway. Organised by Heuan Chan Heritage Luang Prabang, “Lad-Bhu Han” is running from 28 January to 4 February, as part of the Visit Laos Year 2018 campaign. The event takes place on a quaint side street with traditional Luang Prabang-style wooden houses in … Read more

  “I can’t find information about Laos.” That’s what you often hear from tourists returning to the Mekong Region, who have never crossed into the country. We Are Lao Media recognized this void, and decided to fill it with WeAreLao.com, where Laos is billed as The Last Frontier. The aim is to create the most … Read more

  The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry launches LAOFOOD 2018 at a ceremony held on 14 December, at the Best Western Vientiane. By Bernie Rosenbloom   The international hospitality trade’s spotlight will focus on the inaugural LAOFOOD 2018 Exhibition, being held at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane on 7-9 June, when global … Read more

  As Luang Prabang grows as a tourist destination, it faces many challenges in remaining a green destination. Some have termed the current situation in Luang Prabang as “fragile”. In 2016, the Lao German Development Cooperation Project (GIZ) began implementing the “Handle with Care” project, funded by the European Union’s Switch Asia Programme. The project has … Read more

MTF Insights: Susie Martin & Rachel O’Shea @ Laos Buffalo Dairy Susie is the CEO and Rachel is the Chef of the Laos Buffalo Dairy, a sustainable venture with a unique business plan. This will be their first MTF, having heard about event in March from John Williams of Luang Prabang View, who directed them … Read more

28 April 2017 Luang Prabang Cleans Up Its Act By Bernie Rosenbloom Tourists expect to walk into a sepia-toned 19th-century postcard when visiting Luang Prabang. Sitting on the Mekong banks and sipping cocktails as a breeze flutters tree leaves. Ancient golden-topped temples peeking above French colonial buildings. Empty plastic bottles, discarded cardboard boxes, chunks of … Read more

MTF Insights: Phonexay (Sai) Keuthbounmay @ Belmond La Residence Phou Vao Sai is the operations manager at the Belmond La Residence Phou Vao hotel in Luang Prabang. He has never attended an MTF, but has followed the forum in the news. He learned of the Luang Prabang MTF from the local hospitality network. What challenges … Read more

MTF Insights: Jacques Mury @ Villa Santi and Santi Resort & Spa Jacques is the general manager of the Villa Santi and Santi Resort & Spa, which is the host of the MTF Food Fair. This is Jacques’ first MTF, and he first found out about the Luang Prabang event late last year. What challenges … Read more

13 December 2016 Luang Prabang Pigs Out By Bernie Rosenbloom Luang Prabang’s hotels and restaurants hold “The Battle of the Pigs” to raise funds for families making their livings at the dump.   Troy Matusow frequently visits the Luang Prabang dump. The man behind Asia One Resort Supply knows the people who live amid piles … Read more