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Southern Laos Makes the Grade
Grade 11 students at Vientiane Pattana School taking the Cambridge AS and A Level “Travel and Tourism” course will find an interesting surprise on page 131 of their text book, where Case Study 11 stars: “Southern Laos launches tourism destination brand”, a three-year-old press release. This should please Lao tourism stakeholders on two fronts: a respected Lao international school includes Cambridge-level travel and tourism in its curriculum, and academia has selected Southern Laos for this particular case study. The study falls in “Chapter 3: Destination Marketing” under “3.12: Marketing activities for launching a brand”. This section focusses on three sub-topics: communication methods and events, design promotional materials, and agree on the campaign. Activity 20 asks three questions based on the release: 1. Identify the guardians of the Southern Laos destination brand. 2. Assess how effective the tagline for the brand identity is likely to be, and why? 3. Identify two communications methods used to raise awareness of the brand and why they were chosen. This entry into secondary school academia places Southern Laos tourism in a unique position. They already know the answers. My daughter and her classmates don’t. The local trade may also be interested in seeing how academia tries to mainstream the branding and marketing of Southern Laos, when the situation is far from the norm. Next comes “3.13: Implementing the destination brand.” They talk about an NTO…
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Sanctuary Hotels & Resort Update: “Destination Pakbeng” and More
The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge is focusing on the “Destination Pakbeng” campaign in September, while naming a new manager for their Mekong Elephant Park. From 18-20, the Sanctuary Team will be welcoming We Are Lao’s editor, to share all the highlights of Destination Pakbeng. Local tourism stake holders aim to transform the Mekong port from an overnight stop on the Houay Xay-Luang Prabang cruise into a full-blown tourist destination. Sanctuary Hotels & Resorts points out that they and like-minded local businesses see opportunities in Pakbeng, and have a new vision for the destination. They have joined together to create activities and a travel map, and are shooting to take Pakbeng to a “whole new dimension”. We Are Lao will also be visiting Sanctuary’s Mekong Elephant Park, which has named Wendy Legat as its new manager. “I have been passionate about animals and travel since my very early days,” Ms Legat said. “I have been living in Asia for seven years…from China to India and most recently Thailand.” Then, Laos entered the picture. “Having come to Laos a few years ago to do an internship, I knew it was the country I wanted to live in, and wanted to come back. So when the opportunity came to manage the Mekong Elephant Park, I found my answer…a new career and personal enrichment.” She concluded, “So here we landed in Pakbeng, my companion and I. He’s in charge of the Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge and I oversee our friendly pachyderms. We are happy to be here, embark on a new adventure, and ready to welcome you!” Downriver, The Sanctuary Luang Prabang Hotel wishes to remind readers that the Boat Racing Festival is being held on 9 September with some of Luang Prabang’s finest rowing teams heading to the Nam Khan River to compete for this year’s title. There will also be a market trade fair near the hotel on the 8th and the morning of the 9th. To book a room at The Sanctuary Luang Prabang for the event, click here. The Sanctuary Nam Ngum Beach Resort has provided an update on the toll the heavy rains and high water levels. The resort says it has greatly affected the area, and they have compassion and share prayers for the locals from neighbouring villages that are facing hard times. For those with concerns or who want more information, contact info@sanctuaryhotelsandresorts.com. www.sanctuaryhotelsandresorts.com
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Train Training in Vientiane
Laos and China signed a feasibility-study agreement to establish a college for training personnel to work as ticket sellers, station operators and provide various passenger services for the upcoming Laos-China railway. Graduates would have the opportunity to work on the railway, which is set for completion in 2021. According to the Ministry of Education and Sports, recent work on the feasibility study places the college on 14.5 hectares near the National Sports Complex, about 16 km from the city centre. Deputy Minister Associate Professor Dr Kongsy Sengmany said the railway would be a new experience for Laos, adding “Staff from the ministry’s Vocational and Technical Education Department went to China for a study tour to learn about railway operations.” He stressed the need for Chinese trainers. Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy to Laos, Mr Wang Qihui said the Chinese government had prioritised the Laos-China railway, adding “China is ready to help Laos to train staff to provide passenger services.” The Laos-China railway features a single 1.435-metre standard-gauge track and an electrified mixed-traffic line, which is being built to China’s GB Grade 1 standards, suitable for 160km/h passenger and 120km/h freight trains. When the railway is operational, the journey from Boten in Luang Namtha province to Vientiane will be reduced from about three days by road to less than three hours by train. Source: Vientiane Times
