Laos: private meets public to boost tourism

Lao New Year celebrations

Lao tourism gets together with donors, government and SMEs to get tourism marketed

Lao tourism enterprises, government officials, and donor development agencies agreed to establish working groups for marketing and human resource development (HRD) with the aim of forging public-private sector partnerships (PPPs) to boost the nation’s tourism industry.

Some 50 invited attendees unanimously agreed to form the working groups during the 6th Lanith Quarterly Symposium held in association with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) at Vientiane’s Lao Plaza hotel.

Symposium panellist, Oudet Souvannavong, founder of the 17-year-old Lao Hotel and Restaurant Association and owner of Best Western Vientiane, will take the helm of the marketing working group, and will coordinate with Lao Tourism Marketing Board (LTMB) Advisor Kirsten Focken representing GIZ.

Their first goal is to pinpoint the early steps needed to organise all stakeholders to collectively market Laos.

Another panellist, Inthy Deuansavan, the managing director of Laos’ leading domestic tour operator, Green Discovery, will oversee the HRD working group with support from Lanith Chief Technical Advisor Peter Semone representing Luxembourg Development Cooperation.

Their initial aim is to identify key HRD issues and the best direction for the industry to take to advance service quality.

Professor Tom Baum from Scotland’s University of Strathclyde, presented his case study, "The Current State of Play" based on his previous two visits to Laos.

"Tourism education presents diverse and complex challenges…and no one alone can solve the problems. Partnership has to be the keyword."

Lanith’s "Passport to Success" skills training programme recently won the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s 2012 Grand Award for Education and Training.   

During the panel session, "Making Partnerships Work for Lao Tourism", Mr Semone challenged the audience. "Let’s walk away with something tangible. We need one idea…What can we easily accomplish in two-to-four months? The development partners are ready to help. Tell us what you want us to do."

The attendees also proposed solutions including internships at businesses for tourism teachers lacking practical experience, tour operators and hotels teaming to market Lao tourism rather than relying on the government, and forming a multi-donor advisory panel.

Valere Tjolle
Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2012 Special Offers HERE