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Lanith Signs MOU with Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Lanith Luang Prabang (Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality) and the nation’s vocational college signed a memorandum of understanding with Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur Hotel on 11 September, to upgrade teachers’ and students’ ability, technical knowledge, skills, and attitude towards the hospitality sector. The agreement covers four years, during which 10 students at a time will be sent to work and live at the Concorde Hotel for six months, providing them with hands-on experience while promoting human capital development. “The full board, live in agreement has been signed, and we are now looking forward to helping and developing the skills of the Lao students,” said Concorde Hotel General Manager Gary Lee. “It’s a nice way to strengthen our commitment to one more ASEAN country, and will provide a great opportunity and dream come true for those selected to work and learn at a 500-room hotel with meeting and conference facilities. Joining Mr Lee at the signing ceremony at Lanith Luang Prabang were his development team and Training and Development Manager Adrian Alaska. Representing Lanith and the country’s vocational college were College Director Bounthieng Thipsavanh and Lanith Training Centre Director Chouanlachanh (Nicki) Phengdy.
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Centara builds Lao portfolio
Centara has inked a deal that will give it the management of three hotels in Laos by 2020. TTR Weekly is reporting that Centara’s chairman, Suthikiati Chirathivat, signed off on the management MOU with Asia Investment Development & Construction Sole Company, a well-established investment and construction firm in Laos. The agreement paves the way for Centara to manage three hotels in Laos with a total 214 keys in the capital city Vientiane and World Heritage destination Luang Prabang. Representing Thailand’s leading hospitality group, Suthikiat said: “This signing ceremony demonstrates our commitment to expansion in Asia as we continue to develop our portfolio internationally. “With the expertise from a country leader in development such as AIDC and Centara’s record for delivering and inspiring extraordinary guest experiences, we are very excited to be partnering in the success of three exciting projects in Laos” The three hotels will be operated under three distinct brands in the Centara Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Close to Luang Prabang’s airport and the town’s historical district, the upscale Centara Grand will offer premium rooms as well as extensive leisure and meeting facilities. Targeting the more cost-conscious traveller in Luang Prabang the Centra by Centara Hotel, will offer quality and value in a conveniently located city property, while the group will flag a third property in Vientiane under its COSI brand, an affordable lifestyle stay option for the modern tech-savvy and connected traveller. AIDC Laos president, Pheutsapha Phoummasak stated: “We are excited to partner with Centara to bring its trusted brands to these cities and further promote the tourism potential of Laos.” This latest development is in line with Centara’s impressive expansion strategy and will see Centara’s hotel count in Laos reach four with Centara Plumeria Resort Pakse already well under development and scheduled to open in 2020.
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Inthira Lands ASEAN Business Awards Laos
The Inthira Group has become the first Lao tourism business to win the ASEAN Business Awards Laos, and will present the hotel and restaurant company at the ASEAN Awards Gala Dinner on 12 November in Singapore. The annual ASEAN Business Awards Laos recognizes outstanding Lao businesses and entrepreneurs that have created a positive impact on the growth of the national economy, and helped elevate the country’s image in the region. “It is a real achievement for us, and we would like to thank each and every one of our employees and partners who participate every day to the success of Inthira Group,” said Margaux Canales, Communications Manager for the Inthira Group. “During its 12th edition, the Awards provide an opportunity for businesses like us to gain greater exposure, and to expand their network within the ASEAN business community and on the global stage,” she said. The Inthira Group will present the company in Singapore during November’s ASEAN Awards Gala Dinner at the Marina Bay Sands. Mdm Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore, will attend as the Guest-of-Honour. As part of the Inthira Group’s eco-projects, they provided 4,000 bags to collect garbage on World Clean-up Day in Vientiane on 15 September. The group is also now part of the Refill not Landfill campaign that spans six Southeast Asian countries. Refill stations are available at Vientiane’s Khop Chai Deu restaurant and Inthira Hotel in Thakaek. “We have installed a truly ecological system to provide filtered water, a system with which our other locations in Vientiane and Vang Vieng will be soon equipped as well,” Ms Canales said. “We are proud to be part of this campaign, and we hope this will encourage more and more people to use refillable bottles and other business to provide more refill stations to preserve our beautiful environment.” For a map of all refill stations in Asia, click here.
