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Sompaseuth Chounlamany’s “Reminiscence Painting Exhibition” Opens in Luang Prabang
by John Williams Heuan Chan Heritage Luang Prabang opened Sompaseuth Chounlamany’s “Reminiscence Painting Exhibition” on 9 March, to showcase the award-winning Lao-American’s oil paintings “inspired by the beauty and richness of Laos from a bygone era.” Mr Chounlamany views his style as a blend of realism and impressionism. He said his style and techniques are inspired by artists of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, particularly Raphael, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. Although he has taken art classes over the years, Mr Chounlamany considers himself a self-taught artist with a gift for eyeing fine details. Mr. Chounlamany was born in 1991 in Vientiane, and he says his passion for drawing and painting began at the age of 5. He grew up in the U.S. states of Virginia and Rhode Island, but often returns to Laos. “Its beautiful culture and rich history have always been the source of inspiration,” he said. Most of his paintings focus on the people, culture, and history of Laos. Mr. Chounlamany has shown his work at exhibitions in Paris and the U.S., and he has received recognition and awards from the Service Authority of Prince William County and the State Art Exhibit of Rhode Island. The Reminiscence Painting Exhibition at the Heuan Chan Gallery in Luang Prabang runs through 12 April. Website: www.sompaseuth-chounlamany.pixels.com
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A Bird in the Bush Equals Money in the Hand
Ecotourism direct payment approach for wildlife sightings reduces illegal hunting Contributed by By Paul Eshoo Vientiane – Lao PDR (February 28, 2017) – A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Foundations of Success (FOS) finds that an ecotourism strategy based on “direct payments,” where local people are compensated for the amount of wildlife seen by tourists, has resulted in a reduction in illegal hunting and an increase in wildlife sightings. In the study, the scientists tested a new model in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR)’s Nam-Et-Phou Louey (NEPL) National Protected Area (NPA) that used a direct payment approach to encourage villagers to reduce illegal hunting and trade, which is driving wildlife decline. The model included a contractual payment to villages that was directly tied to the numbers of wildlife seen by eco-tourists as well as a reduction in payments for occurrences of hunting violations. The approach was designed to reduce illegal hunting pressure, increase wildlife sightings, and ultimately wildlife numbers, while generating ongoing economic incentives for conservation. The scientists implemented and then monitored this approach for four years. Results indicated a three-fold increase in hunting signs in the non-tourism sector of the NPA as opposed to no increase in the ecotourism sector. Additionally, an overall increase in wildlife sightings was observed. A wide range of threatened species benefited from the program, including Sambar deer, barking deer, primates and small carnivores. “If eco-tourism or nature tourism is going to help increase these wildlife populations, there must be a direct link between the incentives for communities and the wildlife itself, “ said Bounpheng Phoomsavath, Director of Nam Et — Phou Louey National Protected Area. “Many projects claim to be benefiting wildlife but they often lack this direct link. Villagers get benefits but the wildlife populations continue to decline. The direct links are the key to our success.” In cases where ecotourism is used as a biodiversity conservation strategy, projects are often questioned for lack of resulting proof that threats to biodiversity have been averted or conditions for biodiversity have been improved. “This study illustrates the importance of monitoring along a theory of change to evaluate if and how a conservation strategy is leading to expected outcomes and to inform adaptive management,” said WCS Lao PDR Deputy Country Director Dr. Santi (Joy) Saypanya. The scientists say the case “provides key lessons on the design of a direct payments approach for an ecotourism strategy, including how to combine threat monitoring and data on wildlife sightings to evaluate strategy effectiveness, on setting rates for wildlife sightings and village fees, and the utility of the approach for protecting very rare species.” “Design, monitoring and evaluation of a direct payments approach for an ecotourism strategy to reduce illegal hunting and trade of wildlife in Lao PDR,” appears in the current edition of PLOS One. Authors include: Paul Frederick Eshoo and Troy Hansel; Sivilay Duangdala of WCS-Lao PDR; and Arlyne Johnson of Foundations of Success (Bethesda, Md.) This project was supported by funding from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund, the European Union, the French Agency for Development (AFD), the German Development Bank (KFW), the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Source: WCS newsroom To find out more about the authors of this study, click here.
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It’s Official: Luang Prabang Establishes Tourism Association
The Luang Prabang Chamber of Commerce announced that it officially recognizes the Luang Prabang Tourism & Hospitality Rendezvous as a valid association. The monthly “Rendezvous” has been attracting Luang Prabang tourism stakeholders for more than three years to discuss issues they collectively face, offer recommendations, and introduce initiatives and products of interest to the local travel trade. Rendezvous Chairman Gary Tyson told the 35 participants at its 36th meeting that the group’s contributions to the community and local tourism industry, forward approach to organizing events, and cooperative efforts led to being recognized as a valid association. “The (Rendezvous’) objective is to get our voice heard,” Mr Tyson said. “Members make suggestions, offer solutions, and voice complaints. People can hear what the group and individuals are working on, and can express their views on the city’s direction as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.” He added that being established as an official association enables the Rendezvous to move quickly on matters, and implement and assist in projects, without going through the government. “Most important is we will have a voice and support within the National Assembly through the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNNCI) to support our initiatives and suggestions,” Mr Tyson said. The Luang Prabang Tourism & Hospitality Rendezvous presents the topics under discussion to the Luang Prabang Chamber, which reports to the LNCCI and its President Oudet Souvannavong. The group meets on the last Thursday of each month at the Sanakeo Boutique Hotel & Spa facilitated by ots General Manager Paul Burnett. The 36th Luang Prabang Tourism & Hospitality Rendezvous Presentations Khun Chin: GM of Sofitel Luang Prabang Khun Chin, who attended ATF in January, discussed why arrivals from some destinations are down, while the Chinese and Korean markets show gains. He stressed that Chinese traffic would steadily rise once the railroad is complete. He invited attendees to contact him for more information. Khun Chin also suggested hoteliers support the community by upselling packages in-house to various attractions. He also pointed out that on 10-12 March, the Heang Chan Heritage House will be showcasing Handmade in Luang Prabang crafts, fresh produce, and precooked items, and invited the community to present their products. Email: H9669-gm@sofitel.com Mr Somboun & John Williams: Visit Laos Year 2018 Update & Folk Song Festival Mr Williams reviewed Visit Laos Year 2018 activities in Luang Prabang to date, and discussed the upcoming Luang Prabang Folk Song Competition at the Cultural Office. He said 20 tables were available for LAK 80,000 to display local products. He added that a separate email with details of the 17 March, event would be forthcoming. Mr. Somboun from the Cultural Office, and who is organizing the folk song competition, offered more details, while soliciting sponsorship or donations. He said the action plan, similar to a FAM trip set up, would take place at the Cultural Office grounds, with a free market garden for all local producers. Email: john@lpbview.com, troymatusow@gmail.com Chittakone Sengdavong & Fumitoshi Mukai: Creating Biogas for Luang Prabang The pair, representing the Hitachi Zosen Corporation’s initiative to create bio-gas, revealed that Luang Prabang has an ample supply of waste. They estimate the city’s 85 hotels and 400 guesthouses generate 200-500 kg of usable wet waste per day, and this does not include restaurants. Attendees voiced their eagerness to support this project. Email: CHITTAKONE@INVISORGRP.COM, Mukai-f@hitachizosen.co.jp Prof. Dr Alphonse Pluquailec: Sante France Laos – Centre cardio – Vasculaire Dr Alphonse Pluquailec, a cardiovascular doctor, presented Sante France Laos, which has operated in the country for 25 years. In 2017, the organization sent 10 infants, who suffered from oxygen deficiency at birth, to France for treatment. He said 2018 plans call for sending 15 hill tribe children for medical care. It costs €20,000 to sponsor a child for flights and surgery. Email: sante.france.laos@wanadoo.fr. Tel: (+856) 202 220 9457 Lucie Arnaud: Luang Prabang Deaf & Mute Community Handicrafts Ms Arnaud introduced the deaf and mute community and school she is supporting, along with their handicraft shop, which she aims to make self-sufficient. She asked for hotels’ support by placing the shop’s information and cards on their activity desks, and to consider employing the students, who are prepared to enter the workforce. Email: lucie@arnaud93@gmail.com Tel: 0209 513 4648 Nicholas Toomey & Roberto Freschi: MEG Product Supplies & Anticaluna Italian Dairy Mr Toomey updated the attendees on MEG’s products before introducing Mr Freschi from Anticaluna Italian Dairy products. After the meeting, he offered samples of their high-quality mozzarella with truffle paste. Email: nicholas.toomey@megcoltd.com, roberto@anticaluna.net Round Table Night Market Move? Gilles Vautrin from L’Eléphant Restaurant said there were talks underway about moving the Night Market down the main street, though some objections have been voiced. A letter has been sent to the National Assembly protesting this move. There is little information on the proposed move, though there had been discussions about moving the market during Visit Laos Year 2018’s Green Season commencing in May or June. One participant noted that cooking should be at the original area for fire and safety measures. Hong Kong Express Flights Work continues on opening Luang Prabang’s skies to Hong Kong Express. The Luang Prabang Tourism & Hospitality Rendezvous is waiting for the airline to provide information on the value they brought to the UNESCO city of Hoi An, Vietnam, to give an indication on revenue lost compared to revenue projections if the direct flights are opened.
