-
✴︎
“GT” Taps WeAreLao as its First Destination Partner
The “Good Tourism” (“GT”) Blog has selected WeAreLao as its first Destination Partner to present stories and insights into the best practices of the country’s tourism stakeholders. “GT” Publisher David Gillbanks said, “I’m delighted that WeAreLao is representing Laos as the “Good Tourism” Blog’s first Destination Partner. Laos is a very special place. I know because I’ve visited several times for work and leisure.” Mr Gillbanks explained that a “GT” Destination Partnership is an opportunity for national tourism offices and marketing platforms to curate the best responsible, sustainable, and community-based stories and insights about its destination for a global tourism industry audience. “A “GT” Destination Partnership is all about confident destinations, their special places, and their travel and tourism stakeholders, who are keen to showcase and share their good, their better, and their best. Laos and WeAreLao fit the bill!” According to WeAreLao Co-founder Bernie Rosenbloom, their platform aims to be the top provider of information, news updates, and stories on tourism in Laos, and continuously seeks avenues to broaden its reach. “WeAreLao.com is honored that “GT” selected us as “GT’s” first Destination Partner,” Mr Rosenbloom said. “Among our goals is to be the most informative source of Lao tourism news that targets global travel agents and industry experts. Thanks to “GT”, our news now reaches the cream of the crop.” He added the partnership also dovetails into WeAreLao’s “Sustainable Tourism Laos Showcase” project, which is currently in the test marketing phase. Earlier this year, Global Travel Media endorsed WeAreLao as its primary source for news on tourism and hospitality in Laos.
-
✴︎
30 Travel Statistics That Will Wake Up Your Wanderlust
Modern Gentlemen curates helpful and informative content and statistics about lifestyle, health, and fitness. The site’s co-founder Filip Nikoloski sent We Are Lao a recent blog they posted, “30 Travel Statistics That Will Wake Up Your Wanderlust”. The article presents numbers that will interest travellers, small tourism and hospitality businesses, and even those who pour over travel trade publications. It’s a great 8-minute read. 30 Travel Statistics That Will Wake Up Your Wanderlust by Nikolina Jeric Traveling can be fulfilling and life-changing. You get to go out in the world, experience new and exciting places, learn about cultures, try out cuisines, meet new people, and make new friends. You might be wondering – how often do people travel? Which generation travels the most? What is traveling like in the 21st century? Well, this is the place to find out. The travel statistics and facts found within this article can help you get a better, clearer understanding of this activity both in the US and on a global level. Continue reading…
-
✴︎
A Green Way of Life: Luang Prabang View
Some may struggle with the costs of sustainable practices, but former Luang Prabang View Hotel General Manager John Williams sees going green as a way of life…while saving greenbacks along the way. Mr Williams grew up in a rural town, where sustainability was the norm. “I have been working to save and use nature for many years. As a boy, I learned to use and re-use. I have been applying this know-ledge in my decades of hospitality experience,” he said. “It’s more than accounting wins or a thing you can purchase; it’s about doing what we feel is right. It’s a way of life…common sense …part of our daily work load.” Mr Williams downplays the role of certification. “Just do it and save money.” He should know; the Luang Prabang View has landed several plaudits, including the ASEAN MICE Award. “We can easily check off the items on forms, while initiating sustainable measures that any property can implement, plus raise the bottom line.” Water from the luxury hilltop property’s “grey pond” septic system, in which overflow is channelled through three naturally cleansing ponds, hoses down gardens and lawns. “If we used the city’s water, it would cost about $1,475 per month. That easily covers a $480 pump.” The Luang Prabang View has been in front of the “No Plastic Parade” for years. For example, the hotel switched from plastic to reusable glass bottles, and rea-lised its RoI in less than a year. “The hotel moved to paper bags and recycled containers for take-away food, and uses paper straws. Green netting replaces big black plastic bags for a 60% savings, and we sell recyclables.” The hotel’s nine compost heaps for rejuvenating earth, vs. buying dirt, saves $450 per year on a ton of soil. Replacing chemicals with Effective Micro-organisms (EMOs), made from hotel waste, cuts $8,220 in bio-cleaning purchases. Local farmers cash in by growing herbs and vegetables at the hotel’s garden, and many land on your plate. The garden also reaps fruit and flowers, and only uses regenerative and sustainable plants. These farmers raise animals, including chickens, ducks, and pigs. Some are sold, while the kitchen uses others. “We also purchase local products. This keeps tourist dollars in the community,” Mr Williams said. Items range from ingredients and fresh produce to amenities like natural soaps, shampoo, and cotton shopping bags. Mr Williams is constantly on the prowl to uncover new sustainable methods. It’s in his DNA. Farmers mix coffee grounds with wet waste to feed the animals, and even use EMOs to repel insects. “It’s just common sense,” he explained. “It’s a way of life.” Staying Safe “Wipe it down with alcohol” rings throughout Luang Prabang View’s post-pandemic policies and procedures…but the hotel is doing much more: masks, gloves, boiling kitchen and dining ware… “We needed to re-invent how we work, and urge our guests and partners to follow us to ensure safety for all,” Mr Williams said. “The changes require a big step,” he noted. “The hotel involves all departments to guarantee safety is of the highest levels…We also expect guests to be in good health before arriving in Laos.” LUANG PRABANG VIEW www.luangprabangview.com sm@luangprabangview.com +856 71 260 560
