Laos’ First & Company

Lao PDR based on the Green travel discovery sample in Lao PDR By: Inthy Deuansavan Company Background Reasons of setting up

• The Lao Government begun to open and promote the country for tourists since the “Visit Laos Year” (1999-2000) • They are so many beautiful sites in Laos, a lot of unexplored places • The fast growing of tourist arrivals in Laos per year • Most of tour operators concentrated on Classic travel • Eco- business History

We first operated in Vangvieng District since 2001 under the name “ Wild Side ” – with as the only activity.

In 2002 Lao Government and the UNESCO signed an agreement for the “Nam Ha Ecotourism Project” in Luang Namtha

Therefore, we were convinced by the idea that “There is a way to do business where everyone benefits” The local situation

y Some of tourist destinations are facing the big impact on , social and the environment y Most of the villages in and around the protected area are poor y Destruction of the forest and of wildlife was rampant y The NPA had not enough resources to protect biodiversity y The government wants the villagers to stop slash and burn, opium cultivation, hunting and logging. History y Green Discovery Laos has been founded and operated since that time following our vision of : y Conserving and culture in partnership with the community y Developing alternative sources of income and supporting sustainable livelihoods for the villagers y Offering foreign customers a way to experience the local life and landscape in a way that benefits all y Bringing Laos and the Lao people closer to the visitors from other parts of the world Our Activities

•Kayaking • • •Trekking •Rock •Home stays •Incentive/team building tours •Wildlife observation • Educational tours •Motorbike tours Our Team

60 full-time staff and are collaborating with more then 60 villages and have hired more then 60 local guides Our Office y Luang Namtha y Luang Prabang y Vang Vieng y Vientiane y Khammouane y Champassak Doing business locally y Train local guides y Nature interpretation y Skill of individual activities y Cultural interpretation y English y First aid Doing business locally y Hire local guides y Organize private home-stay y Buy and prepare local . y Use existing local services : tuk-tuks, boats, etc. y Support village schools. y Give cultural orientation to guests, e.g. on how to approach people or enter a ethnic minority village y Train villagers in hospitality and hygiene Business contract y Villagers/community y Local tourism authorities y Local forestry and National Protected Area

authorities y Tuk-Tuk drivers y Boatmen y Food providers y Others, where applicable Business contract vilagers/Community

Business contract with the villagers to protect and promote their services as:

•Hygiene •Food provision •Village guides •Accommodation (home-stay) •Locally activities •Trail maintenance •Handicraft •forest & wildlife conservation •Take care of GDL-built huts incl. toilets for tourists Where the money goes

29% Greendiscovery

24% Villagers

13% Community- based tourism Development fund Tax 15% Evaluation of contracts

•Trip report

•Evaluation Key issues and concern

•Maximize the benefits for the Lao national economy, especially local businesses and people living in and around the protected areas.

•Ensure that tourism does not exceed the social and economic limits (observe the ‘Carrying Capacity’) as determined by researchers and with local residents.

•Promote local styles of architecture that are developed in harmony with Lao culture and environment, that use local materials, minimize energy consumption and conserve local plants and wildlife.

•Conserve cultural achievements and the uniqueness of local people and ethnic minorities, such as music, dancing, weaving etc.

• Be - as a company and by promoting Lao values - a model for young Lao entrepreneurs. Problems and issues where improvement is needed

• Failure to comply with the agreements (for example: park authorities allow to plant industrial trees in an area designed for ecotourism) • Lack of understanding (the villagers often do have another “concept’ of what a tourist may need or like, e.g. with regards to hygiene, cleanliness, noise, time, etc.) • Misappropriation of money (which may lead to conflicts within the community) •Inexperience in “ tourism business attitude” (planning ahead, no sudden change of mind etc.) •Impatience (tourism is seasonal and depending on market, may intrinsically have periods of lower income) Problem solving

•There is not much a private company can do. Important is to keep permanent contact and good relationship with the stakeholders to avoid many of these problems to arise

•Conflicts must be solved with discussion with those involved mutual understanding and consensus is reached.

•Close cooperation with the PTDs crucial. Much work and patience has to be invested to convince the villagers to fulfill their agreements. Thank you to adventure with us

www.greendiscoverylaos.com