November 2016 Newsletter Lao PDR-New Zealand Tourism Support Project What the project is about IN THIS ISSUE Three destinations in northern and central-southern Laos • What the project is about will receive assistance from the New Zealand Aid Pro- • Getting the basics right gramme between 2015 and 2020. Luang Namtha Town- • Know your customers ship, The Loop touring circuit through Khammouane and • Xieng Khouang Museum Bolikhamxay and Xieng Khouang (Paek, Kham and Khoun • Working together Districts) provide the focus for the Laos – New Zealand Tourism Support Project. Ban Nam Dee The Project will improve small- The Project is managed scale tourism infrastructure, through the Ministry of Infor- This Lanten ethnic village ion the enhance important historic mation, Culture and Tourism outskirts of Luang Namtha Town sites, put more information out with project offices in the is well known for its bamboo paper- making, indigo dyeing and to tourists about Laos’ cultur- Departments of Information, jewellery. Improved facilities at al heritage, stimulate small Culture and Tourism located the nearby waterfall and a cultur- business development and at Luang Namtha, Phonsavan al ‘show-house’ will enhance the encourage more collaboration (Xieng Khouang), Thakhek visitor experience. between the private sector, (Khammouane) and Pakxan government and communities. (Bolikhamxay). Getting the basics right Tourism in Laos is growing quickly, even though there’s still a need to get the basics right in a number of locations. That’s the approach the Project is taking in Luang Namtha, Xieng Khouang and along The Loop that connects Thakhek – Nakai – Thalang / Nam Theun 2 Reservoir – Lak Xao and Konglor via Routes 12, 1E, 8 and 13. Improving facilities for Lao and international visitors is now underway. In Luang Namtha, new bridges, walking trails and a cultural ‘show-house’ are under construction at the popular Nam Dee Waterfall. Ban Nam Dee is a Lanten ethnic village well known for its bamboo paper - making, indigo dyeing and jewellery. A new handicraft centre under construction at Ban Phieng Ngam will be opening soon. This Tai Daeng ethnic village produces beautiful weaving and should be on any visitor’s ‘to do’ list for Luang Namtha. All these places will receive heritage interpre- tation displays to help visitors understand local history and culture. A Namtha Valley Trail is also being developed making it easy for visitors to bike to ethnic villages and see other Valley attractions. In Xieng Khouang, a new village lodge, massage sala, handicraft shop and viewing area have been opened at the Ban Xang Hot Springs in Kham District. This is the perfect place to relax beside the river and hot springs. And in Meuang Khoun, her- itage conservation plans have just been completed for Vat Piavat, That Foun and That Chomphet and interpretation panels and a walking trail are under preparation. On The Loop, new boat launching and picnic facilities are about to be constructed at Thalang – Nam Theun 2 Reservoir. The popular Vang Nam Yen – Cool Pool swim- ming spot will get a major facelift with new picnic, parking, toilets and food outlets. On Route 8, the Limestone Forest Viewpoint will also be improved. On-site interpreta- tion panels are also under development for these attractions. The Asia Foundation has also assisted The Loop by getting guest- houses listed on Booking.com, mapping The Loop and housekeeping training. Luang Namtha Over 150 new directional signs and place names are about to be installed around The Loop (pictured right) and for the main attractions in and around Luang Namtha Life & Nature Township and in Paek, Kham and Khoun Districts, Xieng Khouang. Xieng Khouang Museum Total renovation of the Xieng Khouang Provincial Museum has begun in Phonsavan. Phase 1 involved planning for the redevelopment. Phase 2, now underway, includes repairs and internal modification to the existing building. Phase 3 will entail the research, design and installation of exhibi- tions, displays, artefacts, stories and other museum services. Opening of this important facility and attraction is expected in December 2017. Watch this space for more updates. Know your customers How much do we really know about visi- work to do in this area! Based on a tors to destinations within Laos? Well, 5-point scale with 1 being low and 5 “a lot more” after research conducted being high levels of satisfaction, these in Luang Namtha, Xieng Khouang and destinations score on average around on The Loop between April and July 2. Not great. But the interesting thing is 2016. that close to 75% of all those surveyed said they would refer Luang Namtha, Over 600 international visitors were Xieng Khouang or The Loop to their surveyed to find out more about their friends and family. This is useful infor- satisfaction, length of stay, travel pat- mation and a good incentive to increase tern, places visited, use of information visitor satisfaction….leading to in- and how much they spent. What they creased spending in the destinations. liked and didn’t like about their experi- ence also came through in the study. The key take out is that these visitors seem happy with their overall expe- In terms of economic impact, we now rience but feel that accommodation know they spend between US$150 and providers, food outlets, the attractions US$180 per trip to these destinations, and other services could lift their game. staying on average between 2 and 3 The scenery in these destinations and nights in each. the experience of meeting local people As for satisfaction….there’s a bit of are rated highly. ers. Destination Management Working together Plans have been prepared to help guide joint actions that will Because tourism is such a complex industry, best results improve the destinations. It is can be achieved when government, community and the still early days. Stakeholders are communicating more regularly private sector work closely together. with each other and that’s a good sign. Over the next few This approach to managing Zealand Aid Programme are years a number of collaborative destinations more collabo- providing financial and techni- actions will take place including ratively is being rolled out in cal support for this work. Desti- improved destination market- many provinces – Bolikhamxay, nation Management Networks ing, collection and sharing of Champasak, Khammouane, (pictured below) have been set tourist statistics, infrastructure Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, up in each of these provinces development, restoration of and Xieng Khouang. The ADB, made up of private sector, com- heritage sites and provision of Swiss Contact, GIZ and the New munity and government play- information for visitors. How to contact us If you have stories to share or want to get in touch, please contact: Mr Thavipheth Oula, Project Director Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism Avenue Lane Xang, Vientiane Capital Email: [email protected] Tel. 020 557 77 947.