explore explore He added that the LNTA-ADB Sustainable Tourism Development Project (STDP) is constructing a visitor centre and viewing pavilion overlooking Si Phan Don, where visitors might catch a glimpse of rare freshwater dolphins. Pakse also opens the door to elephant (Opposite page top) rides up Phou Asa Mountain, the two-day Greenery abounds. 'Ta Ong Trail' trek in the Xe Pian National (Opposite page below) Rustic scenes Protected Area, and the Bolaven Plateau’s and easy-going people twin 120-metre Tat Fane Waterfalls. A two- are two of the country’s hour drive reaches Salavan Province’s Tat biggest attributes. Lo area’s waterfalls, weaving villages, and (Left) The country is a bastion of Buddhism. incredible viewpoints. (Below) Waterways are As for access, Pakse’s recently upgraded still pristine. international airport now welcomes Lao Airlines flights from Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Bangkok, and Siem Reap. International border checkpoints with Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani Province, Cambodia’s “Mekong It also encompasses the 5th- BEAUTIFUL century city of Shestupura, SIMPLY believed to be Southeast Asia’s As an eco-tourism hotspot, Laos is blossoming oldest urban settlement BY BERNIE ROSEnblOOM PHOTOS COURTESY OF LNTA UNESCO-listed Vat Phou Temple Complex’s classic Khmer architecture, which dates from the 7th-to-12th centuries. It also encompasses the 5th-century city of Shestupura, believed to be Southeast Asia’s oldest aos’ accessible remoteness presents ongoing tourism development projects. The urban settlement. a deceptively delicious destination. bottom line? 'Laos, Simply Beautiful', a brand Across from Vat Phou, Don Daeng Island features cycling/walking LA melting pot of 47-ethnic groups, that rings true. trails that take in an ancient forest stupa, basket weaving villages, and a two UNESCO World Heritage sites, endless The country’s history, culture and protected forest. Accommodation ranges from the upscale La Folie to mountains with innumerable waterfalls and nature intertwine to offer a broad and a village lodge, and Mekong River Cruise’s luxury vessels traverse this caves, in addition to historical sites shrouded balanced experience no longer confined to stretch of the waterway. in legend, lead to an authentic experience Vientiane and the country’s first UNESCO Downriver at the 4,000 Islands (Si Phan Don), long-tail boats wherever one wanders. World Heritage site, Luang Prabang. These navigate to ethnic villages and an abandoned French locomotive, Toss in an expanding road network standalone destinations have evolved into before the Mekong reaches Southeast Asia’s largest waterfall by linking up with neighbouring countries, launch pads to the country’s tourism treasure volume, Khone Phapeng, near the Cambodian border. According to upgraded airports, and a growing list of trove, and are joined by Laos’ southernmost Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA) deputy director general quality accommodations; back it up with province of Champasak. Planning and Development Thaviphet Oula, the Asian Development a government policy of sustainable and On the Mekong River, the provincial Bank (ADB) is upgrading the 3.6-kilometre road from Lao Route 13 to responsible tourism; and crown it with centre of Pakse springboards tourists to the the Nakasang Pier, the starting point for exploring the islands. 46 PATA COMPASS November/December 2010 November/December 2010 PATA COMPASS 47 Exp. Laos Nov-Dec 10.indd 46-47 46 47 12/11/10 09:42:55 explore explore opportunities from restaurants to a forest canopy walkway. SIMPLY A similar initiative can be found along STUNNING In late 2010 the central Laos’ 'Savannakhet Historic Trail', which has five walking-biking-driving circuits “Luang Prabang is a stunning and Alila, Luangsay taking in some 50-sites. The province’s real find,” said Amantaka general Residence, Le Palais eco-guide unit offers eight CBT trekking and manager Gary Tyson. “It is not cycling programmes with overnight home as well known as other famous Juliana, and Shinta stays. The route also connects northeast destinations, though once there, Mani are joining Thailand to central Vietnam, though Lao one rarely wants to leave.” Airlines offers three weekly flights from Amantaka ranks as 'the best the Amantaka, Vientiane and Pakse. of the best' in Luang Prabang the Grand Luang Vientiane welcomes international flights accommodation. Located in the from Bangkok, Hanoi, Kunming, Phnom heart of the UNESCO World Prabang and La Penh and Siem Reap, but most arrivals cross Heritage town, Amantaka’s from Thailand at the Friendship Bridge. The colonial-style buildings offer 24- Residence Phou Vao capital’s venerable attractions include the elegantly appointed suites, 16 in offering high-end Patuxay Monument, That Luang Temple’s of which have private pools. Its golden stupa, and Wat Si Saket. quality of service and facilities are accommodation Visitors will find high-quality silk products, second to none. a wide range of fine local and international The ambiance in Amantaka’s dining with impressive wine lists, and a dining room harkens back to the selection of high-end accommodation colonial era, with a menu featuring Nang Anh Cave, and overnights in a Hmong including the Ansara Hotel, Don Chan Palace, authentic Lao and French- village. Lao Plaza and Settha Palace. influenced cuisine alongside fine Luang Prabang-based Treasure Travel Settha Palace has also earned a international fare. The hotel’s Laos (TTL) offers 10, one- and two-day reputation for its Lao food menu. According library has books in many different community-based tourism (CBT) treks, which to the hotel’s executive chef Ralf Haupts: languages, including reference directly benefit villagers in the area, along with “We do our part in keeping with the Lao food works, and the art gallery and a range of popular multi-day Luang Prabang tradition. By orchestrating the ingredients to boutique presents quality silk classic tours. Moreover, the compnay is balance and match Western flavouring, we products, antiques and locally constructing the Nam Ou Riverside Bungalow allow our clients to enjoy sampling a few handcrafted goods. near town, and is set to open in January highlights from Laos.” Tyson said Amantaka mostly 2011. According to TTL managing director Walking hand-in hand with growing attracts Americans and Europeans, Sisombat Douangvilaykeo: “We selected arrivals, expected to reach 2.2 million in though the summer draws regional Luang Prabang for the resort project because 2010, is service quality. To address this, businesspeople. He pointed of the planned improvements to Luang movement. Narrowcasters offers an audio the LNTA and Ministry of Education are out that tour operators are an Prabang International Airport, as this will allow tour to accompany cave visits, before the establishing LANITH (the Lao National important channel for filling the more of our clients to directly fly to Luang route continues to north-central Vietnam. Institute of Tourism and Hospitality), which suites, though about half the guests Prabang from their home countries.” The completion of the 180-kilometre Lao will offer a range of two-year diplomas. book directly. The airport is currently being upgraded Route 3 connecting Chiang Rai, Thailand to Said LANITH chief technical advisor Peter “Many [of our guests] come to land larger aircraft. At the moment, Lao Lao Route 13 and onward to Yunnan, China Semone: “We aim to build Laos’ service from our sister property in Airlines offers daily flights to Luang Prabang (PRC) prompted the LNTA-STDP to develop quality into a unique selling point.” The former Cambodian, Amansara, some from Vientiane, and several weekly flights 'The Tea Caravan Trail'. Starting at Houei Xai PATA vice president added, “Our motivated arrive from Hanoi, and the from Pakse. International flights depart from on the Mekong, a popular entry point for core team of teachers is currently enrolled in majority from Bangkok,” he said, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, and Siem Reap. travellers heading to Luang Prabang by boat a two-year program at the Tourism Academy noting most check in for three In late 2010 the Alila, Luangsay or Bokeo Province’s 'Gibbon Experience', the at Sentosa, Singapore, and will be ready for nights, but “those that stay less Residence, Le Palais Juliana, and Shinta route follows an ancient trade trail through our first student intake in early 2012.” always wish they could stay Discovery Trail', and Vietnam’s Central Highlands also provide portals Mani are joining the Amantaka, the Grand Bokeo and Luang Namtha Province’s forested LANITH will occupy a prime location on longer”. to Champasak. Luang Prabang and La Residence Phou mountains, offering 10-roadside attractions the Mekong in Vientiane, and is currently Besides the plush Such is the lure of southern Laos that the LNTA selected Pakse to Vao in offering high-end accommodation. along the way. seeking a private sector investor to develop accommodation, Amantaka’s host the Mekong Tourism Forum 2011, co-organised with the Mekong According to Asian Trails Laos managing Among them are the 100-year-old French an upscale hotel on the site. guests are lured to Luang Tourism Coordinating Office. The 27-28 May 2011 event will be held (Top) Rice is still the director Philippe Conod: “However, we expect colonial Fort Carnot, handicraft and cultural With service quality set to complement Prabang’s UNESCO status, at the Champasak Grand Hotel; it will showcase the country and the main commodity in fierce competition to finally reach the Luang villages, visitor centres, mountain viewpoints, the country’s mix of natural, cultural, and Buddhism, the temples, and Greater Mekong Sub-region’s diverse tourism products and improved the agrarian heartland. Prabang market soon enough.” the ruins of a 700-year-old city, the Nam Eng historical attractions, along with the planned (Above) During the Visit Laos Year 2012 and ASEAN Tourism colonial heritage set in stunning intraregional overland connectivity.