Lao tourism stakeholders convene for AEC Countdown

LUANG PRABANG - A spectrum of 80-plus Lao tourism stakeholders from around the country took a collective step forward in preparing for the ASEAN Economic Community’s (AEC) 2015 startup at the 15th Lanith Symposium, “What ASEAN Integration Means to You”, on Friday, 12 December 2014, at the Luang Prabang View Hotel.

Lao National Tourism Department Director General Saly Phimphinith opened the event, supported by the Luxembourg Development Cooperation and German Development Cooperation (GIZ), stating, “This symposium offers an excellent opportunity for cross-partner dialogue between a diverse public and private sector audience.”

Symposium Chairman and Luang Prabang Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Bounthieng Duangpaseuth added, “Contributions from keynote speakers will better help the audience venture into the panel discussion on how the AEC will affect them.”

Dr. Michael Grewe, representing the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, said Lao tourism can benefit from the ASEAN single market, “if the business community is able to make use of the improved AEC framework.”

Lanith Chief Technical Advisor Peter Semone stressed, “Nurturing public-private sector partnerships (PPPs) has been the underlying motive behind Lanith from the start, and are absolutely needed for successful AEC integration. That’s why we selected Luang Prabang, the preeminent destination in Laos, for the 15th anniversary of our symposia.”

Leading up to a dynamic panel discussion, keynote presentations and question periods echoed common themes: the National Tourism Department needs a stronger voice in the government; all segments of Laos’ travel trade must embrace the digital era; antiquated regulations hindering the industry require review; and Lao tourism must evolve at its own rate.

Raymond Alikpala, an attorney with Vientiane-based Sciaroni and Associates, pointed out that the Lao government considers tourism a priority investment sector in its AEC blueprint, but Lao lawyers need a better grasp of international law.

“International agreements must be translated into Lao law, which will require decrees and regulations...For Laos, AEC integration will be an incremental process, as all ASEAN countries do not need to develop at the same pace.”

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Special Advisor John Koldowski agreed that AEC integration calls for all Lao ministries to work together. “To act fast, Laos really needs a separate ministry dedicated to tourism, but it must move at a pace it is comfortable with to achieve sustainable growth.”

Mr Phimphinith agreed with the private sector that the current bureaucracy needs revision, as tour operators must still register inbound customers while independent travellers enter Laos without obstacles, and hotel managers must file daily guest-list forms with fees.

Exotissimo Travel Managing Director and symposium panellist Duangmala Phommavong stimulated the discussion by asking how best to create PPPs and promote Laos within the AEC and beyond.

Asian Development Bank Senior Portfolio Management Specialist and panel moderator Steven Schipani suggested, “The role of development partners in PPPs should be that of a neutral intermediary.”

TripAdvisor Destination Marketing Senior Sales Manager Sarah Matthews responded that the private sector must work with the tourism board to agree on target markets and products, and develop brand awareness by engaging in the digital environment. “You go fishing where the fish are, and the fish are online.”

Mr Koldowski pointed out that embracing technology is imperative in the AEC platform, and Laos should seek new partners for data sources such as using credit card companies’ statistics, monitoring telecom use, and tracking tweets. Data must also be kept up to date and communicated to stakeholders.

He emphasized that the public and private sectors must work together to create a circular economy in which a community such as Luang Prabang maintains its individuality while providing for, and profiting from, tourism.

“You must maintain the small-town feel, but keep your identity...Focus more on the locals and keeping the community together to offer an authentic destination that people will want to visit,” he said.

Mr Schipani agreed, stating, “We don’t need to chase growth. If Luang Prabang is a nice place to live, it will be a nice place to visit.”

Other topics discussed included how Laos should handle the ASEAN open skies policy, the importance of more seamless air travel to Luang Prabang from mid-to-long haul markets, and developing story-telling content on websites.

GIZ Project Team Leader Hartmut Janus capped off the symposium by asking the audience to summarize the event in a few words, with “Laos is a diamond in the rough” leading the list.

This milestone Lanith Symposium included several “firsts” to raise the event’s impact. It made its Luang Prabang debut, welcomed a countrywide delegation, commanded a full day, and offered real-time Lao translation.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia