ITE EXPO 2007 - UNVEIL THE CHARMS OF INDOCHINA

UNVEIL THE CHARMS OF INDOCHINA
Cambodia – Laos – Vietnam
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International Travel Expo HCMC 2007
October 5-7, 2007. Phu Tho Exhibition Centre, Ho Chi Minh City

From the first two presentations of its maiden launch of International Travel Expo HCMC, the dream of developing a cross country tourism product finally came through in October 2006 pursuant to an official meeting amongst the government officials of Cambodia Tourism Bureau, Laos National Tourism Administration and Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism.

The theme of ITE HCMC 2007 would be “Unveil the Charms of Vietnam –Laos – Cambodia – Three countries One destination”.

This product will attract many far away tourists from USA, Europe, Australia, Japan and Korea to visit HCMC, and then extend to the rest of the countries in the IndoChina circle” commented by Mr La Quoc Khanh, Deputy Director, HCMC’s Department of Tourism.

The airline industry in Ho Chi Minh City applauds this initiative and is extending its support to this project. “This is a very good move by the three countries as many of the tourists in the United States of America would normally spend 3 weeks or more in Asia. With the concerted effort to promote this package, it makes the travel to Vietnam more attractive by packaging another two beautiful Asean countries into their itinerary. Said Mr Joe Mannix, General Manager in Vietnam, United Airlines. The airline will be one of the supporting airlines of ITE HCMC 2007 bringing in over 20 buyers from USA to attend this Exhibition.

Additionally, the official airline, Vietnam Airlines announced that the IndoChina Air Pass will be launched during ITE HCMC 2007. The airline which is now having direct flights from HCMC to Cambodia and Laos will offer a special price per sector for travelers who wish to unveil the Charms of Viet Nam –Lao – Cambodia.

“We are heartened by this initiative as it not only will strengthen the ties amongst the countries but also will act as a booster for our economies.” Said Mr Bounma Phetsavong – Vice Minister of Laos National Tourism Administration,

“Three countries, One Destination (“TCOD”) is a strong marketing platform for Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. With the support from Vietnam Airlines and having HCMC as the travel hub for this initiative, it will definitely be a memorable experience for the tourists” said Mr So Mara, Vice Secretary of State, and Assistant to Prime Minister, Cambodia Tourism Bureau.

“We have set the stage to position HCMC as the hub of tourism development for 3 countries with the support from airlines flying into HCMC particularly the national airline, Vietnam Airlines. It is definitely going to be an exciting and challenging ITE HCMC 2007” concluded Mr Alex Eow, President of Binet Exhibitions Pte Ltd, a member of the Organising Committee.

ITE HCMC 2007 will be held from 5-7 October 2007 at Phu Tho Exhibition Centre, Ho Chi Minh City. There will be a hosted buyer’s programme from 4-6 October 2007 comprising social activities, destination presentation, buyers and sellers meeting, FAM trips etc. The exhibition will be opened to the trader and professionals on 5-6 October 2007 and the last day (7 October 2007) will be opened to the public.

ITE HCMC 2007 is sponsored by Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and supported by Ministry of Trade and The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. It is jointly organized by HCMC Department of Tourism, Vinexad and Binet Exhibitions Pte Ltd.

For more information and participation, please contact: http://www.itehcmc.com/

BINET Exhibitions Pte Ltd
Email: kamlin@binetexpo.com

HCMC Department of Tourism

Email: congtran.minh@gmail.com

Yunnan moves toward greater integration with Vietnam

Yunnan moves toward greater integration with Vietnam

Recent transport agreements signed by China and Vietnam highlight the growing importance of the Yunnan-Vietnam trade relationship. The agreements were signed during a visit by Yunnan Governor Qin Guangrong to Hanoi for the Vietnam Expo 2007.

The transportation ministries of Yunnan and Vietnam's Lao Cai province signed an agreement earlier this month which will expedite border-crossing procedures for vehicles carrying cargo or passengers between the neighboring provinces.

The agreement will benefit trucking firms, which will no longer be required to unload their cargo at the border for transport via other trucks.

Tourist and passenger services between Yunnan and Lao Cai will also be expedited, giving travelers from Yunnan easier access to destinations including Lao Cai City, Sa Pa and Van Ban.China's Ministry of Communications and Vietnam's Ministry of Transport also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) earlier in the month paving the way for China to help its neighbor to the south build four expressways that will further integrate the two countries' road networks.

In the MOU, China pledged technological support including feasibility studies and road design on a Hanoi Airport expressway as well as the Hanoi-Lang Son, Hanoi-Haiphong and Hanoi-Lao Cai expressways.

According to Chinese government statistics, Vietnam overtook Myanmar as Yunnan's largest Southeast Asian trading partner in January of this year.

The Hanoi-Haiphong and Hanoi-Lao Cai expressways are of particular significance to Kunming as they will provide a road link via the Chinese border city of Hekou to the port of Haiphong - the closest port to Kunming. A 400-kilometer expressway connecting Kunming with Hekou is scheduled for completion this year.

The Hanoi-Lang Son expressway will connect the Vietnamese city with an expressway into Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, via the Chinese border city of Youyiguan. Goods traveling into Guangxi will be able to continue on to major cities in and around Guangdong province including Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. No timetable for completion of the roads has been given.

Source: GoKunming

Kunming-Bangkok road to put into use this year

Kunming-Bangkok road to put into use this year

A Chamber of Commerce delegation from Thailand will visit Kunming later this month and sign a cooperative contract with the local government of Yunnan Province. They will also discuss further economic cooperation between the two sides after the completion of the Kunming-Bangkok Highway this year.

Kunming-Bangkok road is a main project supporting China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone. It starts in Kunming and terminates in Bangkok, with the section extending over 1,900 km. Currently the construction of the Chinese section of the road has been completed, and the Thai section will be finished later this year.

Recently a transport association in Yunnan has signed a cooperative contract with the local government of Bankok. The association will help to pool the transportation resources of some 858 enterprises in Yunnan to boost trade between Thailand and Yunnan.

Source: ChinaNews

Traveling down the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia

Traveling down the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia

The mighty Mekong River runs nearly 5,000 km through Burma, Thailand, Laos, Yunnan, Cambodia and Vietnam and while it may not be the longest river in Asia, it is certainly the most beautiful.

The river flows into the South China Sea just south of Saigon, known today as Ho Chi Minh City, and its delta is the starting point for many cruises.

It is not possible to navigate the entire length of the Mekong since the Sambor rapids prevent further passage. Luckily, the confluence with the Tonle Sap, the river's main tributary, is just above Phnom Penh and ships can use it to reach the celebrated temple complex of Angkor Wat.
Gliding along the lower reaches of the Mekong offers the visitor broad tableaux of local everyday life. Only two cruise vessels ply this section, the Tonle Pandaw and the Mekong Pandaw, which can carry 66 or 64 passengers. Those who have booked a trip upriver, board their ship in My Tho in Vietnam, some 60 km south of Saigon.

The journey unfolds past mangrove forests and green rice paddies, offering glimpses of many villages and cottage industries along the way. Now and then, the ships pass a bathing spot where children enjoy a dip while their mothers wash clothes and crockery in the water. There are hardly any roads here, the river is the main transport artery and that explains why it is so busy. Motorboats dart past canoes being paddled from bank to bank while the traditional sampan wooden cargo boat is a common sight.

When it runs close to larger towns and cities the Mekong becomes even livelier. Take the bustling town of Cai Be, where the big river cruisers tie up at the dockside. A maze of canals, it boasts many gardens, some temples and a church but no streets to speak of.

The floating market is the main attraction here and it lures farmers from the outlying districts who trade their wares straight from the deck of a sampan.

Chau Doc is another hive of activity. A huge dockside market selling local produce and commodities dominates the town on the border with Cambodia. The fresh food booths offer anything from dried fish to peeled grapefruit or even frog's legs for the gourmet.

Beyond the border there are fewer settlements and houses alongside the river compared with the stretch inside Vietnam. The Cambodian riverside is less busy until shortly before Phnom Penh. This energetic city is the largest settlement along the river. The waterside is dominated by relics of the past; pagodas and palaces attract the eye alongside handsome villas built in the French colonial style.

The best place to muse over artifacts of the Khmer culture is the National Museum, whose riches were fortunately not plundered during the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979. It is best to set aside a whole day to admire the many statues and bas-reliefs. The huge central market erected in the art deco style is also well worth a visit along with the Royal Palace.

The horrors of Cambodia's recent past can be seen at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. After a tour of the former Pol Pot torture chambers, the proverbial gentleness and friendliness of the Cambodians seems all the more astonishing.

Beyond Phnom Penh, the cruise ship leaves the Mekong to chug up the Tonle Sap. This river is unique since for half of the year, starting from the rainy season in June, it reverses its flow. From November onwards, the normal flow to the river mouth is resumed.

On the northern shore of Tonle Sap lake is the booming provincial town of Siem Reap. The most compelling reason to come here is to visit Angkor Wat, one of the world's most spectacular ancient temples. The complex has been on UNESCO's list of world cultural monuments since 1992.

Around 1,000 relics lie strewn across this vast site stretching across some 200 square km. Visitors can book individual tours or explore on their own. Those with only a few days to spare should concentrate on Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious structure, and plan trips to the overgrown city of Angkor Thom and the Ta Phrom temple district.

Both world culture and subculture are catered for in Siem Reap, which offers a wide range of bars and clubs in the centre, one street is even called Bar Street. One of the establishments is the Red Piano Bar where actress Angelina Jolie was a guest when she filmed the movie 'Tomb Raider' in Angkor in 2001. It comes, as no surprise that the most popular drink here is Tomb Raider Cocktail.

Turkmenistan News.Net. Wednesday 18th April, 2007

Contest to Name New 7 Wonders of the World

... be part of the making of history!
Your vote counts! Help make history...

A global competition to name the new Seven Wonders of the World is attracting widespread interest, with more than 20 million people voting so far, organizers say. Candidates for the new list have been narrowed down to 21, including the Angkor Wat, Taj Mahal, Stonehenge, the Acropolis, the Great Wall of China and many more... The public can vote until July 6, 2007, by Internet or phone. The New 7 Wonders of the World will be announced during the Official Declaration ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday, July 7, 2007 - 07.07.07.

The Egyptian pyramids are also on the list, and they are the only surviving structures from the original list of seven architectural marvels. Long gone are the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and the Pharos lighthouse off Alexandria. Those seven were deemed wonders in ancient times by observers of the Mediterranean and Middle East.

Choosing world wonders has been a continuing fascination over the centuries. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, keeps updating its list of World Heritage Sites, which now totals 830 places.

The "New7Wonders Foundation", which is the official body behind the New7Wonders campaign, has the express aim of documenting, maintaining, restoring and reconstructing world heritage under the motto: "OUR HERITAGE IS OUR FUTURE."

The "New7Wonders Foundation" was created in 2001 by Swiss adventurer Bernard Weber, with a mission to protect humankind's heritage across the globe. Weber "felt it is time for something new to bring the world together" and to "symbolize a common pride in the global cultural heritage," said Tia B. Viering, spokeswoman for the campaign.

Nominations were whittled down by public votes to 77 last year. Then a panel of architectural experts, chaired by former UNESCO chief Federico Mayor, shortened the list to 21. Interest has grown as Weber and his 10-member team visit the 21 sites.

In addition to the Angkor Wat, Taj Mahal, Stonehenge, the Acropolis, the Great Wall and the Pyramids, the candidates are the Statue of Liberty; Eiffel Tower; Peru's Machu Picchu; Turkey's Haghia Sophia; the Kremlin and St. Basil's Cathedral; the Colosseum; Germany's Neuschwanstein Castle; Spain's Alhambra; Japan's Kiyomizu Temple; the Sydney Opera House; Timbuktu; Petra, Jordan; Brazil's Statue of Christ Redeemer; Easter Island; and Chichen Itza, Mexico.

The campaign to choose the New 7 Wonders of the World is in its final stage.

This is the biggest global vote ever to have taken place. Millions of people have already voted for their favorite "wonder." Numerous milestones have already been reached on a journey across the Internet, television and the world's media. This journey will reach its pinnacle on July 7, 2007 - 07.07.07, when the world will discover which monuments have been named as the New 7 Wonders of the World. You can vote online by becoming a member of New7Wonders and choosing your seven candidates once during your registration. Voting is possible from anywhere in the world.

To Vote

Go to http://www.new7wonders.com

How to Vote Online?
You can vote online at www.new7wonders.com

The 3 easy steps to vote Online:
Step 1: Register for voting - Register as a New7Wonders member by filling in the form and submit.
Step 2: Check e-mail for confirmation - Check your e-mail and click the given link for confirmation.
Step 3: Vote - The link for confirmation brings you back to the voting page. Choose your seven candidates and submit. You have the possibility to correct your selection. Your choice is then final and confirmed.

Become a part of the New7Wonders team and spread the word about this thrilling and unique campaign!

Here are descriptions of the 21 the Finalists candidates:
ACROPOLIS, GREECE: A million people come here each year to see the marble temples - including the ruins of the columned Parthenon - and statues of Greek gods and goddesses dating from the fifth century B.C.

ALHAMBRA, SPAIN: The palace and citadel, perched above Granada, was the residence of the Moorish caliphs who governed southern Spain in splendor until 1492, when the city was conquered by the Christian forces of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, ending 800 years of Muslim rule. Stunning features include mosaics, arabesques and mocarabe, or honeycomb work.

ANGKOR, CAMBODIA: The archaeological site in Siem Reap was the capital of the Khmer (Cambodian) empire from the ninth to 15th centuries. It served as administrative center and place of worship for a prosperous kingdom that stretched from Vietnam to China and the Bay of Bengal. The 12th century ruins include Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.

CHRIST REDEEMER STATUE, BRAZIL: The 125-foot statue of Christ the Redeemer with outstretched arms overlooks Rio de Janeiro from atop Mount Corcovado. The statue was built in pieces in France starting in 1926, and shipped to Brazil. A railway carried it up the 2,343-foot mountain for the 1931 inauguration.

COLOSSEUM, ITALY: The 50,000-seat amphitheater in Rome was inaugurated in A.D. 80. Thousands of gladiators dueled to the death here, and Christians were fed to the lions. The arena has influenced the design of modern stadiums.

EASTER ISLAND, CHILE: Hundreds of massive stone busts, or Moais, are all that remains from the prehistoric Rapanui culture that crafted them between 400 and 1,000 years ago to represent deceased ancestors. Some statues are over 70 feet tall. They gaze out on the south Pacific Ocean more than 1,000 miles off the Chilean mainland.

EIFFEL TOWER, FRANCE: The 985-foot tower, built in 1889 for the International Exposition, symbolizes Paris. Made almost entirely of open-lattice wrought iron and erected in only two years with a small labor force, the tower — Paris' tallest structure — demonstrated advances in construction techniques, but some initially criticized it as unaesthetic.

GREAT WALL OF CHINA: The 4,160-mile barricade running from east to west is the world's longest man-made structure. The fortification was built to protect various dynasties from invasion by Huns, Mongols, Turks and other nomadic tribes. Construction took place over hundreds of years, beginning in the seventh century B.C.

HAGIA SOPHIA, TURKEY: The soaring cathedral, also called the Church of Holy Wisdom, was built in 537 B.C. at Constantinople, today's Istanbul. In 1453, when Constantinople fell to the Ottomans, it became a mosque with minarets. When Turkish President Kemal Ataturk turned it into a museum in 1935, Christian mosaics covered up by the Muslims were revealed.
KIYOMIZU TEMPLE, JAPAN: Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera, which means Clear Water Temple, was founded by a Buddhist sect in 798 and rebuilt in 1633 after a fire. Drinking from its three-stream waterfall is believed to confer health, longevity and success.

KREMLIN AND ST. BASIL'S CATHEDRAL, RUSSIA: Onion domes with golden cupolas surrounded by red brick walls are at the heart of Moscow's Kremlin, a Medieval fortress converted into the center of Russian government. The Kremlin once symbolized Soviet communism. The Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed on adjacent Red Square features nine towers of different colors. It was built by Czar Ivan the Terrible in the mid-16th century.

MACHU PICCHU, PERU: Built by the Incan Empire in the 15th century, Machu Picchu's walls, palaces, temples and dwellings are perched in the clouds at 8,000 feet above sea level in the Andes overlooking a lush valley 310 miles from Lima.

NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE, GERMANY: The inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, Neuschwanstein is a creation of "Mad King" Ludwig II of Bavaria, who had it built in the 19th century to indulge his romantic fancies. Perched on a peak in the Bavarian Alps, the gray granite castle rises to towers, turrets and pinnacles and contains many paintings with scenes from Richard Wagner operas admired by Ludwig.

PETRA, JORDAN: This ancient city in southwestern Jordan, built on a terrace around the Wadi Musa or Valley of Moses, was the capital of the Arab kingdom of the Nabateans, a center of caravan trade, and continued to flourish under Roman rule after the Nabateans' defeat in A.D. 106. The city is famous for water tunnels and stone structures carved in the rock, including Ad-Dayr, "the Monastery," an uncompleted tomb facade that served as a church during Byzantine times.

PYRAMID AT CHICHEN ITZA, MEXICO: This step pyramid surmounted by a temple was part of a sacred site in an important Mayan center on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. It is built according to the solar calendar. Shadows at the fall and spring equinoxes are said to look like a snake crawling down the steps, similar to the carved serpent at the top. An older pyramid inside features a jade-studded, red jaguar throne.

PYRAMIDS OF GIZA, EGYPT: The only surviving structures of the original seven wonders, the three pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs 4,500 years ago. Nearby is the Great Sphinx statue, with a man's face and a lion's body.

STATUE OF LIBERTY, NEW YORK: The 305-foot statue in New York Harbor has welcomed immigrants and symbolized freedom since 1886, when it was dedicated as a gift of the French government.

STONEHENGE, BRITAIN: How and why this circular monument of massive rocks was created between 3,000 and 1,600 B.C. is unknown, but some experts say the stones were aligned as part of a sun-worshipping culture or astronomical calendar. Today it is a major tourist attraction. Druids and New Age followers gather here every June 21 to celebrate summer solstice.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, AUSTRALIA: Situated on Bennelong Point reaching into Sydney's harbor, the opera house was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon and opened in 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II. Its roof resembles a ship in full sail and is covered by over 1 million white tiles. The building has 1,000 rooms.

TAJ MAHAL, INDIA: The white marble-domed mausoleum in Agra was built by a 17th century Mogul emperor for his favorite wife, who died in childbirth. The architecture combines Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles. The complex houses the graves of the emperor, his wife, and other royalty.

TIMBUKTU, MALI: Two of West Africa's oldest mosques, the Djingareyber, or Great Mosque, and the Sankore mosque built during the 14th and early 15th centuries can still be seen here in the northern Sahara Desert. Founded about A.D. 1,100, Timbuktu was a flourishing caravan center in the Arabic world and a leading spiritual and intellectual center in the 15th and 16th centuries, with one of the world's first universities.

Among the 21 Finalists, the only World Heritage Wonder selected from the Mekong Region is Angkor, Cambodia. Vote for ANGKOR @ www.new7wonders.com

Log on to the sites to vote and support for Angkor:

www.new7wonders.com

www.worldheritageangkor.com

www.mekongtourism.org

YOU may think that your vote has never counted–
or YOU may have never found anything that moved you to vote–
voting for YOUR 7 favorite monuments WILL MAKE HISTORY!

LAO ECOTOURISM FORUM 2007

LAO ECOTOURISM FORUM
Bridging the Mekong Region
26-29 July 2007

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. Under the theme ‘Bridging the Mekong Region’. Tour operators, travel agents, accommodation providers, development agencies, government authorities and indigenous communities from throughout the Mekong Region 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 in the Mekong Region.

Lao Ecotourism Forum is organized by Lao National Tourism Administration in partnership with Lao Airlines and with the support of ADB, SNV, LATA and UNESCO.

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

Registration Open 1 March 2007

Download Registration Form or Registration Online

Sellers

Registration as a seller in the Lao Ecotourism Forum includes entrance to the conference and all social events held during the Forum, one 2 x 3 m exhibition booth in the Mekong Ecotourism Mart, a listing on the ‘sellers profile’ page of the event’s official website and two days of scheduled appointments with buyers during the Mekong Ecotourism Mart. Space is limited to 90 booths at US$ 500 each. To inquire about registering as a seller please contact the organizing committee.

Buyers

The event’s organizing committee will be inviting up to 100 buyers of ecotourism products and services from the Asia-Pacific Region, Europe and North America. Attendance as a buyer includes entrance to the conference, appointments with sellers at the Mekong Ecotourism Mart, entrance to all social events held during the conference, the opportunity to join fam tours and excursions and a listing on the ‘buyers profile’ page of the event’s official website. To inquire about registering as a buyer please contact the organizing committee.

Supporting Media

Supporting media are entitled to attend all events that will be staged as part of the Lao Ecotourism Forum. The organizing committee will also hold a special press conference with media representatives. If interested in covering the Lao Ecotourism Forum as supporting media, please contact the organizing committee.

Delegates

The Lao Ecotourism Forum organizing committee will be inviting delegates from National Tourism Organizations, development agencies, academic institutions, consulting firms and NGO’s that have an interest in sustainable ecotourism development in the Mekong Region. The organizing committee will also invite and host representatives from indigenous communities so that they may join the Forum. Delegates are entitled to attend the opening ceremony, conference and welcome banquet on day one of the Forum, enjoy the Lao Food Festival on 27 July and the Mekong Ecotourism Mart and Lao Tourism Exhibit on 28 and 29 July. Delegates may also participate in the Mekong Fun Run.

Exhibitors: The Lao Tourism, Handicraft and Local Products Exhibition

The Lao Tourism, Handicraft and Local Products Exhibit will take place from the 26 - 29 July on the first floor of the Don Chan Palace Hotel. This is one of the events being staged as part of the Forum to showcase a range of information on tourism-related services throughout the country, traditional handicrafts and local products. Up to one hundred 2 x 3 m exhibition booths are available at US$ 150 each. To reserve a booth, please contact Ms. Channida in room 410 of the Lao National Tourism Administration on Lane Xang Avenue in Vientiane. Tel/Fax: 021217 910.

Registration

To register for the "Lao Ecotourism Forum 2007", please complete and return the registration form by email to mailto:pany@sayolaos.com?subject=Ecotourism%20referral or fax it to (856-21)217 910. Please make payments (Except for buyers and Media) according to the payment methods listed below. If you have any questions please contact Ms. Pany Saignavongs (Mobile Phone: (856-20-5526629). Download Form or Registration Online

Payment Methods

After filling out this form and submitting it to the event organizer, please make payment to finalize your registration. Payments must be made in US Dollars. Payments can be made directly in person at the LNTA-ADB Mekong Tourism Development Project Office, Lao National Tourism Administration Building, 4th Floor Room 410, Lanexang Avenue, Lao PDR, Monday-Friday 8AM - 4AM

For regional and international registration, please make your payment by bank transfer. Bank transfer fees must be paid by the participant and cannot be borne by the event organizer. Please make bank transfers to the following bank account:

Account No: 01.4521001.900310

Account Name: Lao Ecotourism Forum

Bank: Joint Development Bank, Lao PDR

For Bank A/C: 2000191174283

Bank Address: 82 Lanexang Road, PO BOX 3187, Vientiane, Lao PDR

Telephone: (856-21) 213531-6

Telex: 4354 JDBANK LS

Email: jdb@jdbbank.com

Web: www.jdbbank.com

Intermediary Bank: Wachovia Bank National Association

SWIFT TID: PNBPUS 3 NNYC

FED ABA: 026005092

CHIPS ABA: 0509

TELEX: 422601 FUBINY

TEL: (917) 351-6200

If you are interested in participating at the Lao Ecotourism Forum 2007 in any of the above mentioned categories, please contact the event’s organizing committee.

For more information on Lao Ecotourism Forum 2007 and Laos Ecotourism, please check the site: http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/forum2007/index.htm

Development of Tourism in the Greater Mekong Subregion

Development of Tourism in the Greater Mekong Subregion

Tourism is recognized as one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Over the next decade, it is expected to present major opportunities and major challenges for countries of Asia and the Pacific. In particular, the Greater Mekong subregion (GMS) - comprising Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan Province of China- has great potential to attract visitors from around the world. With a trend now firmly established towards the liberalization of policy on tourism issues, the prospects for building up tourism into an important economic activity throughout the subregion have brightened considerably.

Tourism already contributes substantially to foreign exchange earnings, employment and government revenue; and direct, indirect and induced income in a number of countries in the region. It has also been found to help reduce regional economic disparities within countries, since areas suitable for tourism development are often situated far from the main centres of other economic activities. However, an important point needs to be stressed: A clearly defined policy towards tourism must first be in place; otherwise, adverse effects on a country's economy, society, culture and environment can be expected.

To optimize the benefits from tourism, countries of the Greater Mekong subregion which are in the early stages of tourism development will need to be more aware of its various impacts and implications: the economic impact, correct environmental management for tourism infrastructure investment and development, human resources development for the service sector, additional travel arrangements to expand intra-regional tourism, and the promotion of regional and sub-regional tourism, including tourism along the Asian Highway.

Support Mekong Tourism by visiting, staying longer and contributing at the Mekong Destinations..

Explore Mekong.... Its rich Heritage, Culture, Traditions and Exotic Food..

Mekong Tourism Investment Forum 2007

Mekong Tourism Investment Forum 2007

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Tourism authorities from the six countries of the Greater Mekong sub-region met in HCM City on 29-30 March 2007 to seek common strategies to encourage investment in privately owned facilities and services.

One of the main speakers, Dr Pham Tu, Vietnam National Administration for Tourism (VNAT) deputy director general, said the forum sought ideas from the business community, tourism authorities and financing institutions.

The goal was to make the area a major tourism destination and contribute to poverty alleviation and sustainable tourism development, he said.

More than 150 representatives of the business community and tourism authorities from Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Yunnan Province in China attended the second annual Mekong tourism investment forum.

Financial lenders, academics, experts and observers also contributed their ideas toward creating sustainable tourism, especially for small- and medium-sized companies that operate in the private sector.

Held by the ADB and VNAT, the forum explored specific investment options, including common commercial bank loans, currently available SME funds and soft-loans, venture capital, and personal financing.

Delegates also discussed green certification, networking and mentor programs and proposed solutions that ADB and other related institutions could support.

Dr. Tu said the Greater Mekong Sub-region, which covers 2.5 million sq. km and has a population of more than 300 million, has great potential for tourism development, with 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and monuments.

(www.mekongworldheritage.org http://whc.unesco.org/en/list)

In 2005, GMS received more than 20.5 million visitors, accounting for 11 per cent of the total number of tourist arrivals in the Asia-Pacific region. The figure is expected to grow to 50 million in 2015. Dr. Tu said in 2005 the GMS tourism sector earned US$16 billion and generated more than 4 million jobs.

Kamol Ratanavirakul, senior consultant at the Institute for SME Development of Thailand and president of Thai Hotel and Hospitality Management Association, said the International Finance Corp, ADB, the Japanese Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund and other lending institutions should provide more support to SMEs in the region.

That could be done by setting up a tourism development fund providing low-interest loans to tourism SMEs, he said.

According to an ADB report, participation by the private sector in the GMS was mixed. In Cambodia and Thailand, tourism-related businesses all belong to the private sector, while in China’s Yunnan Province, Laos and Vietnam, many are government-owned, particularly larger hotels. However, many small- and medium-sized travel agencies in Vietnam are in the private sector.

For further information please contact: www.mekongtourism.org