Vientianne Times – 25 Jan 2018
The World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang will be awarded the Asean Clean Tourist City standard on January 26 at the 21st ASEAN Tourism Ministers meeting, during the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) taking place here from January 22-26.
The Lao delegation is led by the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara
Director General of the ministry’s Tourism Marketing Department, Mr Soun Manivong, told Vientiane Times on Tuesday that Laos would also be awarded two other ASEAN standards, namely the ASEAN Green Hotel and the ASEAN Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) standards.
“We will also receive an award for ASEAN sustainable tourism, which has been given for Phousy Hill in the town of Luang Prabang and Tree Top Explorer in Pakxong district, Champassak province,” he said. Mr Soun said five hotels would receive the ASEAN Green Hotel standard, namely the Sofitel in Luang Prabang, Azerai in Luang Prabang, Phoubachieng in Champassak province, Thavysok in Vientiane province, and the Ngamlao in Oudomxay province.
Five other hotels will receive the MICE standard: the Lao Plaza, Don Chan Palace, Landmark and Muang Thanh hotels in Vientiane and the Luang Prabang View in Luang Prabang. To win the Green Hotel award, a hotel must be environmentally-friendly and use energy conservation measures. Mr Soun said “The ASEAN strategy is to set tourism standards and to satisfy tourists from around the world. We want to develop services in the state and private sectors so they reach ASEAN standards. The ASEAN Tourism Forum will consider which countries merit the awards.”
During the Forum, Laos took the opportunity to promote Visit Laos Year by staging Lao Night on January 23, which was attended by 500 guests of Asean, Asean partners and the media. Laos will also present Lao Night in Germany (March), Japan (June), and Vietnam (September)
Director General of the ministry’s Tourism Management Department, Mr Bounma Phetsavong, said “We follow the ASEAN strategy as the 10 countries of Asean have one destination.
“So, we have to follow and implement the standards of ASEAN. In working towards awards, our committee monitors and works with hotels and other tourism-related facilities so we can meet ASEAN standards.
“Then we classify or select them before submitting them to ASEAN for consideration.”
The ASEAN Tourism Forum is one of the most significant annual tourism promotional events in Asia, and is hosted on a rotational basis among the ASEAN member countries. It comprises numerous high-level events, including a meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, a meeting of ASEAN NTOs, airline meetings, press briefings, a tourism conference, and the Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) trade fair.
(https://laotiantimes.com/2016/11/17/luang-prabang-sets-sights-asean-clean-city-award/)
