MTF Insights: Jacques Mury @ Villa Santi and Santi Resort & Spa
Jacques is the general manager of the Villa Santi and Santi Resort & Spa, which is the host of the MTF Food Fair. This is Jacques’ first MTF, and he first found out about the Luang Prabang event late last year.
What challenges does Luang Prabang face in hosting a multi-venue event?
Little information has transpired about this event. My understanding is that the main meeting will be at the Central Bank and some hotels will share some other functions. I believe that the PR for this event is pretty weak.
MTF replies: Anybody that is subscribed to our weekly Mekong Tourism e-newsletter, reads the regional trade press, follows @TourismMekong on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media, and checks out www.MekongTourism.org and http://www.mekongtourismforum.org/index.php/category/news-article/news/ will be in the know of what is happening. We also had two half-day Open Forums in Luang Prabang organised by MTCO, MICT, and Luang Prabang Tourism Department that informed the local tourism industry about MTF and was looking for ideas, feedback, and collaboration. These workshops were well attended by the local tourism industry. We also visited and spoke to many operators in person in Luang Prabang and in Vientiane, as well as sent emails to inform. We received great response and interest. Finally, we announced MTF 2017 at various industry conferences and events in Laos and the region. Otherwise, we are always happy to answer any questions. But anybody that lives under a rock and waits to be enlightened by magic might not know what will be happening as it relates to Mekong Tourism Forum.
What opportunities do you see for Luang Prabang in hosting the multi-venue MTF?
I see an extraordinary opportunity for Luang Prabang to gain international exposure, even if it mainly concerns (stakeholders) in the Mekong area. Hopefully it will also offer solutions to the “management” of the Mekong River in order for each country to get its share of it.
What is your business, and Luang Prabang tourism, doing to meet any challenges you face?
My business is hotels, and together with the other stakeholders, we are striving to maintain the city’s World Heritage classification both architecturally and landscaping-wise. Above all, we need to find a waste management system that will eventually fit the picture. This last point is one of the most important (at the moment), as waste management in Luang Prabang is almost non-existent.
