Asian visitor arrivals to Laos surge

The steady increase in the number of visitor arrivals to Laos has continued, with a 29 percent rise during the first seven months of this year.

Visitor arrivals from January to July reached 887,842, up 29 percent from the same period last year, according to statistics from the Lao National Tourism Administration.

The figures indicate that Asean and regional visitors alone reached 765,255, up 35 percent compared to the same period last year, while there were 82,183 visitors from Europe , a 4 percent increase...more info

This period saw an increasing number of visitors not only from Southeast Asian countries but also non-Asean regional countries, especially Brunei , the Philippines , Singapore , India , Japan , and China .

People from European countries such as Greece , Germany , the Netherlands and Finland are also arriving in increasing numbers.

The only tourist group that did not increase in this time was visitors from central and South America , with only 36,250 during the period, according to statistics.

Thai visitors to Laos lead the way, with 519,288 (a 35 percent increase), followed by Vietnam with 155,754 (49 percent more than last year), and the US with 27,324 (a 1 percent increase).

“The increase in the number of tourists is due to our government's open-door policy to tourism, and the general stability of the country,” said the director of the administration's Department of Planning and Cooperation, Mr Sounh Manivong, yesterday.

“It's also the result of Lao tourism promotion efforts throughout the region and the world, from both state and private sectors.”

Mr Sounh said that Laos has become a well-known destination for visitors to Asia , and it is now easier to travel to and within the country, with upgraded transportation systems and more flights coming into the country from foreign airlines.

There have also been improvements in general facilities and services as well as tourism infrastructure, along with more visa exemption agreements with countries in the region that have allowed visitors to gain easier access to Laos , he said.

Most tourists arrive in Laos via the new Lao-Thai Mekong Friendship Bridge in Savannakhet province, and the border checkpoints from Thailand in Champassak and Luang Prabang provinces and Vientiane , Mr Sounh said.

By M.Vongsam-ang
Vientianetimes

28 Laotian youth leaders and young professionals are chosen across Laos as delegates to the 2007 Ship for SouthEast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP).

The 28 Lao participating youth are part of a 300-member delegation from within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan...more info >>

The SSEAYP, an annual youth diplomatic cultural exchange program sponsored by the Cabinet Office of Japan, administered in the country by the National Youth Commission (NYC), and is participated in by delegations from Japan and the ASEAN countries, aims to “cultivate the spirit of Asian cooperation” through fostering and strengthening camaraderie and mutual understanding between and among the young people of Southeast Asia and Japan by providing 300 of them annually the opportunity to live together for around two months on board luxury sea vessel M/S Nippon Maru and visit the participating countries.

While on board the ship, the participants will have interactions through solid group activities, discussions, exhibits, cultural presentations and other activities. While on country visits, they will undertake various activities such as courtesy call, interaction with local youth, educational visits to relevant institutions, and home stay with local families.

The Lao delegation will join its counterparts from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan in Singapore on October 22 for the inauguration ceremony.

SSEAYP 2007 is scheduled to be held from 22 October to 12 December 2007. During this period, the ship will visit five of the ten ASEAN countries namely Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos (by air) and Japan

Members of the Lao Participating Youths (LPY) to this year’s SSEAYP include Tomm, member of Princess, famous group girl band.

SSEAYP started in January 1974 based on Joint Statements issued between Japan and the five ASEAN countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined in 1985. Vietnam participated in the programme in 1996 while Laos and Myanmar participated in 1998. Cambodia joined the programme in 2000.

MORE PHOTOS OF LAO Participating youth this year at: http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=98894&p=3&topicID=13413226

http://samakomlao.blogspot.com

13 awarded scholarship from Indonesia

(KPL) 13 Lao officials will further their study in Indonesia after being awarded the scholarship from Indonesia’s government this week.

A farewell reception ceremony was held on 27 August by the Embassy of Indonesia to Laos for the government scholars, attended by Indonesian Ambassador Mr Sutjiptohardjo Donokusumo and other officials concerned.

“The grant is to help the Lao officials develop their skills and gain valued experiences and culture from Indonesian people. The scholarship is also to promote the friendship relations and co-operation between Laos and Indonesia,” said the ambassador.

The scholars will further their study at master degree at Indonesia’s universities in fields of Soil Science, Public Administration, Applied Physics, Educational Management and Physics Material.

Three of them will participate in a short-term training on Art and Dance, Art and Music and Language of Indonesia. “Indonesian government has started providing scholarships to Lao officials since 2001 and its provision has been increasing annually,” the ambassador added.

The scholars will fly to the Republic of Indonesia on September 1 and 14 this year.

Source: kpl

The Lao National Tourism Administration will host an Asean tourism forum next month, with the aim of promoting eco-tourism in Laos and in other Asean member countries.

The 2007 Lao Ecotourism Forum will bring together and display the highest quality and most innovative ecotourism products and services on offer in the Mekong Region.

Lao Ecotourism Forum, which comes alive from 26 to 29 July in Laos will be one of the biggest Ecotourism based travel Mart in Asia. ‘Laos is one of the leading Asian countries that practises Eco Tourism in to its true colours... more info>>

2007 Lao Ecotourism Forum will come alive under the theme 'Bridging the Mekong Region'. The main stake holders of the Forum would be tour operators, travel agents, accommodation providers, development agencies, government authorities and indigenous communities from throughout the Asia Region. They will gather under the same roof to network and expand ecotourism opportunities in their respective countries. This event is a must for anyone interested in shaping the course of ecotourism development.

Objectives of the Forum

*To promote high quality ecotourism-related products and services that showcase the natural and cultural heritage of Laos and the Mekong Region

*Increase business opportunities and networking between ecotourism providers and consumers, with an aim to increase knowledge of the Mekong Region around the world

*To facilitate discussions and an exchange of ideas about the successes and potential for developing ecotourism programs that support poverty alleviation and the protection of natural and cultural heritage in the Mekong Region

*To build the links with the Asian Eco Tourism operators and buyers.

With climate change, development, pollution and neglect destroying some of the world's most important destinations, Conde Nast Traveler has drawn up a list of "20 Places to See Before THEY Die."

The list, in the magazine's May issue, looks at the threats facing these landmarks and how to best see these wonders before they disappear.

The top 20 list:

1. Bagan, Myanmar - One of the world's finest examples of medieval Buddhist art and architecture is threatened by haphazard restoration and rebuilding.

2. Borneo, Indonesia - Logging is decimating the rainforest, home to hundreds of animal species, including the world's largest population of endangered wild orangutans... more info:.

3. Baku, Azerbaijan - A rare, walled city of mosques and marketplaces is being bulldozed to make room for the 21st century.

4. The Pantanal, Brazil - The world's largest freshwater wetland is almost entirely unprotected from deforestation and pollution and could be gone within 50 years.

5. Budapest's Jewish Quarter, Hungary - Modern buildings and parking lots destroy the character and art nouveau architecture in one of Europe's most historic Jewish anclaves.

6. Florida's Everglades, United States - This subtropical wilderness has already shrunk by half in the last century, threatened by a development boom.

7. Babylon, Iraq - Pillaging and looting are destroying the ancient city with its mud-brick ruins, stone sculptures, and the famous hanging gardens.

8. Bhutan, Southeast Asia - The isolated Himalayan nation and its tropical lowlands, pine forests, and wildlife are threatened by environmental degradation.

9. Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, Colombia - Climate change is shrinking the mountain's 18 snowcapped peaks, five major glaciers, lakes, and waterfalls.

10. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador - The 20-island archipelago is home to dozens of endemic species that are being endangered by a rapidly growing human presence.

11. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam - The tour-boat traffic and careless tourists jeopardize the turquoise waters, misty caves and limestone pillars.

12. Indonesia's Coral Triangle - Overfishing and climate change endanger the unparalleled biodiversity of the world's most diverse marine habitat.

13. Kathmandu Valley, Nepal - 2,000-year-old temples are crumbling because of uncontrolled urban development and insufficient preservation funds.

14. Luang Prabang, Laos - UNESCO's conservation regulations are ignored in the 300-year-old city by homeowners more interested in profiting from an influx of tourists.

15. Luxor, Egypt - Erosion from the Nile River dam and mismanaged tourism are harming thousands of Egyptian tombs.

16. Nosey Be, Madagascar - Resort developments are encroaching on the whales and turtles that make their home on the unspoiled beaches of the Mozambique Strait.

17. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania - Tourist traffic is damaging the roads and paths into the 2,000-foot-deep dormant volcanic crater and the delicate ecosystem it contains.

18. Michoacan Mountains, Mexico - Illegal logging is destroying the forests, the winter getaway for millions of monarch butterflies.

19. Galle Forte, Sri Lanka - After the 2004 tsunami, the cash-strapped government has little to spare for restoration of the crumbling 200-year-old Dutch bungalows.

20. Tibet - The once-cloistered Buddhist kingdom is being exposed to HIV and drugs, and is losing many of its traditional customs and language to the modern world.

Source: The Gazette (Montreal) 2007

If you are aged between 18-30,
If you are interested in raising cultural awareness
If you are interested in promoting international understanding
If you are interested in promoting Laos to ASEAN countries and Japan

Here is your chance ...

The 34th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP)2007

SSEAYP is an annual program sponsored by the Cabinet Office of Japan and participated by delegations from Japan and the ASEAN, seeks to promote and strengthen friendship and mutual understanding among the young people of the participating ASEAN countries and Japan by providing them the opportunity to live together on board the luxury vessel M/S Nippon Maru, visit the participating countries, and engage in various activities such as institutional visits and goodwill exchanges with local youth. The tentative ports of call this year will start from Japan, and then sail to Singapore, Indoenesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam before heading back to Japan, totally around 2 months.

Participants
1. 18-30 years of age, Lao citizen
2. Able to participate throughout the program
3. Having a command of English adequate to enable participation in the activities both on board and in the countries visited.
4. In good health, both physically and mentally.
5. Adaptable to an orderly group life in accordance with the program schedule
6. Having a good understanding of, and interest in, the countries visited

Payment of Expense:
1. The Government of Japan shall bear the following costs, as well as the costs required for the operation of the ship.

1.1 Airfare for participating youths from their countries to the starting point.
1.2 Airfare for participating youths from the finished point to their countries.
1.3 Meals and beverages served according to the designated schedule on board the ship
1.4 Transportation for study tours , etc. in the designated itinerary in countries visited
1.5 Transportation , admission fees , accommodation and meals required for study tours in the designated itinerary in Japan

Disqualification:
Anyone disqualified as National Leader or participating youth (including those who are unable to continue their participation due to any cause for which the Government of Japan is not responsible) must pay their own expenses for returning home. Japanese government will not respond for medical service in any case except service by doctor on board the ship.

2. Each country respond for:
2.1 Selection and training
2.2 Welcome all participant youths in country program
2.3 Airport tax
2.4 Accident insurance

3. Participating youth respond for:
3.1 Medical inspections for health
3.2 any suitable expense

For more info of how to apply, contact
Lao Youth Union
ສຳນັກງານ ( ສູນກາງ ຊປປລາວ )
ບ້ານ ໂພນທັນເໜືອ ເມືອງໄຊເສດຖາ ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ
ໂທ:( 856-21)-417108-416, ແຟັກ: ( 856-21 )-416727
E-mail: info@laoyouth.org.la
http://www.saonoumlao.org.la/