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Pullman Luang Prabang Celebrates Lao-Chinese Heritage with Lunar New Year Promo
Over the centuries, Laos and China have created a deep historical connection and an inseparable cultural bond, and to celebrate the “Year of the Pig” in style, Pullman Luang Prabang is offering a series of enticing promotions and culinary occasions. Under the Chinese New Year Offer, guests can enjoy special rates starting from just $158++ per night for two guests sharing a Deluxe Room, including daily breakfast. Each spacious 42-sqm Deluxe Room features a private balcony, allowing guests to soak up breath-taking views of the verdant Lao countryside. The resort’s contemporary international restaurant, L’Atelier, will present three consecutive nights of Chinese cuisine over Lunar New Year with a series of bountiful buffet dinners. Many of the dishes will be created using ingredients from the resort’s own organic garden or sourced from local communities. On Lunar New Year’s Eve, Monday, 4 February 2019, the Chinese New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet will showcase a wide range of authentic delicacies and delectable desserts, accompanied by a live band. Hosted from 19:00-23:00, this festive feast is priced at just $35 net per adult, including free-flow fresh fruit juices and local beer, or $18 per child (6-12 years of age). Kids aged under six dine for free. Then on Lunar New Year’s Day, 5 February, guests can gather their family and friends for the Year of the Pig Prosperity Dinner Buffet. This culinary celebration will be served from 19:00-23:00 and features an extensive selection of traditional Chinese dishes, plus free-flow fresh fruit juices and local beer for just $35 net per adult, $18 per child (6-12 years of age), and free for kids under six years. Finally, on Wednesday 6th February 2019, guests can come together at L’Atelier and celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Pig with the Good Fortune Dinner Buffet. This auspicious occasion will take place from 19:00-23:00 and is also priced at just $35 net per adult including free-flow fresh fruit juices and local beer, $18 per child (6-12 years), and free-of-charge for kids aged under six. A soothing start to the new Lunar New Year can also be enjoyed at the Pullman Spa. The Good Fortune Spa Package is a blissful two-hour body treatment that combines a deep tissue massage, a neck and shoulder massage and a foot massage. This exquisite therapy is available for just $70 net per person, and a 30% discount is offered on all other individual spa treatments. Nestled in the beautiful Lao countryside just outside Luang Prabang, surrounded by lush paddy fields, rivers and mountains, Pullman Luang Prabang is an idyllic five-star resort that allows guests re-connected with nature, culture and each other. For more information and to book your Lunar New Year retreat at Pullman Luang Prabang, please visit www.pullman-luangprabang.com, email H9112@accor.com or contact +856 71 211 112.
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Lao Wood Furniture Fair in Full Swing
The 5th Lao Wood Furniture Fair opened at Vientiane’s ITECC on 14 January to promote local manufacturers of timber, bamboo and rattan furniture, and handicraft products. The event runs through 20 January. KPL reports that according to Lao Furniture Association Vice President Kongmala Phommalay, “This year witnesses 177 booths representing 74 businesses. Out of these, 16 represent businesses from 11 provinces.” He said the objective of the fair is also to promote the competitiveness of domestic timber product manufacturers to both domestic and international markets, and create awareness in forest protection and resource management as well as sustainable development of the wood furniture industry. “The fair also provides opportunity for exchanging new ideas, allowing furniture makers to share lessons learnt so that they can make better quality goods and provide better services,” he said. Source: KPL
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Pullman Luang Prabang Launches Sustainable Programme at ATF 2019
by Theodore Koumelis Sustainability may have been a burning issue — some would even say a buzzword — in the hospitality and tourism sectors in recent years, but for Luang Prabang it is simply part of the ancient city’s fabric. From traditional locally-sourced menus that burst with freshness and flavour to responsible tourism activities that would make the most cynical traveller smile, Laos’ former royal capital prides itself on its mix of rich heritage, local culture and close-knit community that is increasingly hard to find on the 21st-century tourist map. And while many destinations are now attempting to quickly carve out a sustainable reputation Luang Prabang has already chalked up a series of respectable awards for its far-reaching efforts in the last decade. “There are few examples of destinations in which so many positive experiences, such as responsible tourism, sustainable farming and corporate social responsibility initiatives, have grown so organically and are so accessible,” said Denis Dupart, acting general manager of Pullman Luang Prabang. As the most highly-anticipated recent addition to the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s hospitality scene it is only natural then that Pullman Luang Prabang has embraced a raft of sustainable practices — both internally and through a collection of carefully selected local partners. “Alongside the Planet 21 programme, which promotes similar practices throughout the AccorHotels global portfolio, and plans to introduce our own sustainable initiatives at the 16-hectare resort, Luang Prabang offers guests unique, immersive and unforgettable experiences”, added Dupart. One such initiative to be rolled out at Pullman Luang Prabang in 2019 is the introduction of an expansive onsite garden that will supply Executive Chef Marc Comparot with an abundance of fruit and vegetables for his diverse menus. For the time being he makes the almost-daily sunrise pilgrimage to the city’s much-loved morning market to procure most of his ingredients, with the exception of some highly unique — to Laos at least — dairy products. For his mozzarella, ricotta, feta, blue cheese and yoghurt needs, Chef Marc calls on the services of Susie Martin and Rachel O’Shea — or more specifically their 150-plus buffalos. Not content with being the first dairy farm in the country and introducing a brand-new industry, Laos Buffalo Dairy is transforming the way local communities make a living from what were once seen exclusively as beasts of burden. The socially-responsible enterprise also focuses on training farmers how to better care for other animals including pigs, chickens and rabbits and welcomes individuals and groups to experience the interactive farm, dairy facilities and of course the delicious products firsthand. “We love to source locally. It is organic and extremely fresh,” said Chef Marc. The staple food for almost every meal in Laos is, however, found much closer to home. Embedded into the heart of the landscaping, a series of stunning rice terraces take centre stage at the resort. In addition to growing it for use in the dishes at the 123-room hotel’s all-day dining restaurant L’Atelier, Pullman also organises seasonal rice cultivation classes for families and corporate groups. With the harvest recently complete, the rice husks, a byproduct of the cultivation process, were donated to MandaLao Elephant Conservation camp. Another admirable programme that combines responsible tourism, animal conservation and local community involvement, the camp provides small groups intimate interactions with rescued elephants that range from full-day treks through tranquil teak jungles to cooking and feeding them handmade snacks along the banks of the river. Much of the elephant feed is in fact sourced from nearby communities, which provides an often vital source of income for local villagers. If there is a symbol as synonymous with Laos as the elephant (the country after all was once called ‘Lane Xang’, which translates as Land of Million Elephants), it is surely the colourful and often highly intricate traditional fabrics worn throughout the nation. In recent years, these handwoven garments have garnered a great deal of international attention, putting traditional Lao weaving and handicrafts firmly on the map. Much of that fame can be attributed to Ock Pop Tok. Launched in 2000 by local Laos weaver Veo Douangdala and British photographer Jo Smith, what initially began as a small-scale venture selling a handful of designs has evolved into one of the most successful, socially-responsible and sustainable startups in Laos. At the heart of the company is a strong commitment to female empowerment, evident at the Living Crafts Centre, an educational and interactive haven on the banks of the Nam Khan river. The Centre runs a series of immersive individual and group weaving classes, but for those who don’t have time to make the short trip there is an exclusive Ock Pop Tok on-site boutique at Pullman Luang Prabang. “From straightforward, effective measures such as the introduction of locally-made bamboo straws and refillable water bottles to supporting strong, responsible initiatives and local communities, Pullman Luang Prabang is committed to promoting sustainable practices throughout the resort and with our partners through the city,” said Dupart. “An exclusive 2-day itinerary including visits to Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm, MandaLao Elephant Camp and Ock Pop Tock can be booked through the hotel’s Tour Desk managed by Trails of Indochina. The rate starts at USD141 per person.” Visit Pullman Luang Prabang Source: www.traveldailynews.com
