Mekong Institute (MI), with support from the Mekong-Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF), organized a roadshow to promote sustainable and smart tourism concepts in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, on January 13, 2023. The three-year project introduces smart tourism tools, techniques, and technologies through learning exchanges, structured learning visits, information sharing, and best practice adoption.
The activity, organized as part of a “Sustainable and Smart Tourism Development in the Mekong Region” project, is aimed largely at the tourism stakeholders in the hotel and resort sector with sustainability as a core business model, as well as ecological-focused and community-based tour operators, Luang Prabang’s One District One Product (ODOP) product and souvenir enterprises with a digital presence, Luang Prabang’s fine arts and musical instruments associations, and digital media which promote sustainable tourism.
Today’s meeting is a milestone for the development of goods and services in Luang Prabang which will contribute to creating favorable conditions for the tourism actors who will benefit from wider market access in the Mekong Region and beyond,
Mr. Bounsom Khounmany, the Director General for the Luang Prabang Department of Industry and Commerce (DIC), said in his opening remarks on behalf of the Luang Prabang Governor’s office.
The event was attended by over 80 stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. Prior to this, the project had organized two successful similar roadshows in Ayutthaya and Siem Reap, and two more events are planned to be held in Hue, Viet Nam, and Bagan, Myanmar. The selected destinations are all UNESCO heritage sites which have been identified due to their historical and cultural significance and as prime locations for the tourism industry.
The objectives of today’s roadshow are to introduce and promote the concept of a newly designed smartphone application and validate the Points of Interest (POI) information of local innovative and sustainable businesses for the application content. In doing so, we hope to produce creative and inspiring application content which will help improve the travel experience and the quality of life of both visitors and local residents,
said Mr. Madhurjya K. Dutta, the Trade and Investment Facilitation Department Director, MI.
The half-day roadshow featured a number of activities including expert presentations, an exhibition to showcase Luang Prabang goods and services by local enterprises, as well as a Luang Prabang traditional dance performance by Souphanouvong University students.
To read more about the project and its activities, please visit here and here.
For any queries regarding the roadshows,
reach out to Ms. Jasmine Lal Fakmawii, Program Coordinator,
Trade and Investment Facilitation Department,
MI at: [email protected]
