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