-
✴︎
Second Sustainable Tourism Solutions Expo to be Held on 27-28 September 2019
After last year’s well-received first event in Luang Prabang, the second Sustainable Tourism Solutions Expo (STSE) will take place this week in Vientiane on 27-28 September 2019 at the Crowne Plaza. The STSE is the region’s leading specialized fair for the tourism industry to celebrate, explore, and exhibit the latest trends, insights, and technology in sustainable tourism and hospitality practices. Fifty-four exhibitors from Laos and the Mekong region will showcase their products, services, and initiatives over the two-day event, which is free to attend. These companies represent several categories relevant to the theme of the event: eco-friendly hotel supplies, handicrafts, organic food, initiatives and projects, as well as responsible tours and accommodation. The exhibitors will introduce business owners to environmentally-friendly cleaning products, toiletries, and plastic-free packaging. They will offer locally-produced substitutes for imported food and beverages. Several booths will focus on technology like wastewater treatment systems, solar energy, and water conservation equipment. Importantly, enterprises that attend the expo will learn how their business can benefit from supporting and contributing to community development and social initiatives. A new addition to this year’s agenda is production demonstrations. On the second day of the expo, 11 different companies and organizations will make individual presentations about their products and services to interested attendees. These include: Asia One Resort Supply, Soap4Life Foundation, Epurtek, Pankham Jampa Holdings, Saoban Handicrafts, Green Discovery, RefillMyBottle, Mai Savanh Lao, Thavixok Rattan House, AgroAsie Group, and Bamboo Lao. One of the most enriching parts of the expo will be its symposia program, bringing together renowned thinkers from the region to discuss topics that matter greatly to the tourism industry. On Friday 27th September, visitors will be able to attend three symposia: “Policy Mechanisms for Plastic Reduction in Tourism in Southeast Asia,” “Human Resources Development and Job Creation in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector,” and “Towards a Circular Economy in Food: The Role of the Tourism Industry.” On Saturday 28th September, the seminar “Grow Your Business with Great Communication” will be held, as well as a workshop entitled “How Sustainability Helps Accommodation Businesses Save Money,” for which pre-registration is required. The second Sustainable Tourism Solutions Expo is organized by the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, with support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Lao Association of Travel Agents (LATA), the Lao Hotel and Restaurant Association (LHRA), the Small and Medium Enterprises Service Centre (SSC) operated by the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Department of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (Ministry of Industry and Commerce) and the Regional Economic Integration of Laos into ASEAN – Trade and Entrepreneurship Development (RELATED) Project of the Lao-German Development Cooperation. For a complete list of exhibitors, a full schedule, or details about symposia, please see the website of the Sustainable Tourism Solutions Expo: www.stse.la.
-
✴︎
Trail run returns to Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng will host the second Vang Vieng Trail Run on 9-10 November to strengthen the growing view of the area as an ecotourism destination. Last year, Vang Vieng hosted the first-ever trail run in the country, and brought together over 600 running and adventure lovers. This November’s second edition of the race hopes to gather even more runners to a unique venue promising incredible natural landscapes. Events like Vang Vieng Trail Run bolster the blossoming notion of Vang Vieng as an ecotourism destination in a region once known as a party destination. Trail running is a rising trend in Asia, with more and more people interested in outdoor and adventure sports. In Laos, the Vang Vieng Trail Run meets the needs of many running enthusiasts, who want to connect with like-minded people and challenge themselves. Green Step, a new Lao event organizing company with an eco-background is behind the challenging yet incredibly fun event. It is a joint venture between Green Discovery Laos, a leader in ecotourism and adventure travel in Laos, and Teelakow, a trail run organizer based in Thailand. Green Step sees all their events, from trail runs and cycling races to conferences, as a way to promote environmental conservation by helping people connect with nature. The companies explored Vang Vieng’s breathtaking surroundings, looking for the perfect combination of challenging trails and beautiful nature. Their ambitious goal was to create an adventure turned into a race, and not a traditional race. The result is 85 kilometers of a paved and gravel circuit that weaves between the mountains surrounding Vang Vieng, passing streams, small villages, and a few buffalos. Participants can choose to enter different competitions, from 8 to 85 kilometers. “The competition itself is not as important as giving the participants the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the area, going through places that tourists wouldn’t normally be able to discover”, said Ithy Deuansavanh, Green Discovery Laos President. Interaction with locals is another aspect of this trail that immerses runners in the authentic culture of Laos. Is not unusual for runners to come across villagers on their daily duties in the forest, such as looking for food, nor is it unusual to be followed by curious kids. “For us, the most beautiful part is the feeling of community that arises among runners. We witnessed the birth of many good friendships”, said Nop Suksawat, Teelakow’s director. Green Step currently organizes three races in Laos’ most popular locations: Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and the Bolaven Plateau. There are more races to come, but the next event will be the much anticipated Bolaven Trail, which sends runners deeper into nature than ever before, and sees them running between stunning waterfalls. Registration is already open for the Vang Vieng Trail Run, either online at Teelakow’s website or at any of Green Discovery Laos’ offices.
-
✴︎
SOFITEL LUANG PRABANG LAUNCHES FARM-TO-TABLE DINING CONCEPT AT GOVERNOR’S GRILL
Sofitel Luang Prabang has partnered with acclaimed Food and Beverage consultants Avril Production to launch the latest farm-to-table-dining concept at its dining outlet Governor’s Grill to give guests an opportunity to explore the exotic taste of Laotian produce. Governor’s Grill The restaurant’s menu has been revamped to include a selection of Lao and western dishes from locally sourced ingredients. Organic vegetables are gathered from nearby farms and feta is supplied by a local buffalo dairy farm, a socially-responsible enterprise which works with villages in the area to produce a range of sustainable buffalo cheeses and other quality dairy products. “Listed as a UNESCO heritage town, Luang Prabang is often described as the ‘Jewel in Laos Crown’, and the town has managed to preserve its longstanding tradition and charm. With the launch of our farm-to-table-dining concept at Governor’s Grill, guests can look forward to savouring a range of international and local dishes infused with the freshest produce from our region,” said Chin Pitak Norathepkitti, General Manager of Sofitel Luang Prabang. To read the full article, download the file below.
