EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TOURISM-LAOS: WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013

7/28/2019 EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TOURISM-LAOS: WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013

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WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD CEREMONY

HELD IN VIENTIANE - LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

On 19 October 2011, in the framework of European Council on Tourism and Trade

official delegation visit to LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC , Professor Dr.

Anton Caragea , President of European Council on Tourism and Trade bestowupon people and government of LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC the

WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD for 2013 and declared LAO PDR as

FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION for 2013.

The impressive ceremony held in Vientiane, capital of LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC

REPUBLIC was held under the auspices of Minister of Culture, Information`s and

Tourism, Honorable Dr. Academician Bosengkham Vongdara and under the High

Patronage of Government of LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC.

The most important touristic event of the year, the announcement of the WORLD

BEST TOURIST DESTINATION for 2013, had attracted a large audience of ministers,

parliamentary and tourism professionals eager to find out the reasons for selecting

LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC as the winner of the prestigious award for

next year.

this issue

WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION

AWARD CEREMONY P.1

LAO PDR-SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL P.6

Vientiane P.9

Upcoming event`s P.16

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

CONGRATULATES LAOS -

WORLD BEST TOURIST

DESTINATION FOR 2013

H.E. Yacoub Yousef Al Hosani, United

Arab Emirates Ambassador has pre-

sented his congratulation to Professor

Dr. Anton Caragea, European Council

on Tourism and Trade for the election

of LAO PDR as the new WORLD BESTTOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013.

This election is a sign of the great

influence of European Council on

Tourism and Trade on international

scale, influence in the service of bet-

ter oriented tourism.

United Arab Emirates had enjoyed the

benefit`s of being elected WORLD

BEST TOURIST DESTINATION two

times and we hope that tourism in

Laos will see a similar boost as the

result of the award, commented UAE

Ambassador in dialogue with ECTT

President.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TOURISMQuarterly Journal of Tourism Information General Manager: Nicolae Nicolae

ISSUE 8 YEAR 2013 SPECIAL EDITION: WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION


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WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013 IS LAOS

Between 5 to 10 May 2013 a high ranking offi-

cial delegation of European Council on Tourism

and Trade, under the leadership of H.E. Profes-

sor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European

Council on Tourism and Trade ( ECTT) was in-

vited for a working visit in People`s Democratic

Republic of Lao( Lao PDR).

The delegation had also the outstanding task of

presenting to the people and Government of

Lao PDR the highest honor in tourism: the

WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARDFOR 2013.

The visit has being encompassed in the rapid

developing bilateral relation between Europe

and Laos, in a rapid evolving dialogue and a

reciprocated desire to establish an extensive

and consolidate partnership, Laos being pres-

ently the main partner of our European Council

on Tourism and Trade in the South-East Asia

area.

In the framework of H.E. President Dr. Anton

Caragea visit an inclusive discussion was held

with H.E. Thongsing Thammavong -Prime Minis-

ter of Lao.

Tabled at the meeting where the extension of

bilateral exchanges in areas such as economy,

tourism, culture and political dialogue.

H.E. Thongsing Thammavong -Prime Minister of

Lao has outlined for European delegation an

extensive presentation of the Laos economic

situation as a country in full and ample develop-

ment, with a rate of annual economic growth of

4 to 7%, and an expansion rate of incoming

tourists of more than 20% annually and being

counted amongst economic tigers of the area.

Also the Prime Minister had expressed the sin-

cere appreciation of the Government and Peo-

ple of Laos for the instrumental role played by

Professor dr. Anton Caragea in promoting Laos

image in the world and in bestowing the

WORLD BEST TOURISM DESTINATION title for

Lao.

On his turn, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had

emphasized the strong points of Lao: political

stability, impressive economic development

and the clear express desire to extend the bilat-

eral relation.

The visit H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea lead

delegation had included also an extensive dia-

logue with H.E. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara,

Minister of Culture, Information`s and Tourism

and H. E. Vice-Prime Minister Asang Laoly and

Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith-Minister of Foreign

Affairs.

Tabled at the meetings where issued such as

the establishment of a Council for Business and

Cooperation, Bilateral Chamber of Commerce,

Impressive WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION Award Ceremony held in Vientiane .


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WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2013 IS LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC

REPUBLIC

Honorary Consulates and other structures

destined to enhance the economic, cultural

and political partnership.

H.E. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara, Minister of

Culture, Information`s and Tourism ex-

pressed his appreciation for the Professor dr.

Anton Caragea support for Laos in champi-

oning at European level with considerable

influence and energy the country as a

WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION.

During the discussion with Dr. Bosengkham

Vongdara, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had

presented the arguments for Lao PDR being

considered as a world power in culture and

tourism , noting that in XXI century that val-

ues of a nation is encompassing the cultural

and historical patrimony and in this regard

Lao PDR is an outstanding country.

At the end of the meeting, professor dr.

Mircea Constantinescu, Director of European

Tourism Academy had bestow the title and

insignia and certificate of European academi-

cian to H.E. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara, Min-

ister of Culture, Information`s and Tourism

for his unremitting efforts in promoting tour-

ism as a tool for peace and development.

The program of European delegation headed

by H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea also

included a strong cultural element like visit-

ing UNESCO heritage city of Luang Prabang,

That Luang National Stupa, Vat Siseket tem-

ple, Vat Xiang tong, UNESCO classified

monuments such as: Vat Vixun, Vat Phat Tai,

Royal Palace of Luang Prabang, Phusi and

Xieng Tong temple ad National Museum

Kaysone Pomvihan etc.

Also a special program was carved off for

professor dr. Anton Caragea as WORLD AM-

BASSADOR OF NATURAL PROTECTED AREASto visit special natural monuments situated

along the banks of Mekong river.

H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had highly

praised the decision`s taken by the Govern-

ment of Lao PDR to protect natural patri-

mony, environmental protection and sus-

tainable development for this important

touristic areas.

On 9 May 2013 in an impressive ceremony,

full of pomp and paraphernalia, the WORLD

BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD FOR

2013 was bestow to the people and Govern-

ment of LAOS.

The ceremony reuniting leaders of Govern-

ment of Lao PDR, diplomats, academicians,

business community, cultural and media

representatives had included the presenta-

tion of the AWARD FOR WORLD BEST TOUR-

IST DESTINATION IN 2013, the presentation

of the main landmark beauties and scenic

spots for tourism in Lao an emotional

charged speech of H.E. Dr. Bosengkham

Vongdara, Minister of Culture, Information`s

and Tourism and concluding a large area of

fashion presentation, music and dance spec-

tacle that impress favorable the numerous

assistance.

By the outstanding organizing the WORLD

BEST TOURIST DESTINATION CEREMONY in

Vientiane, the Government of Lao PDR had

proved his extraordinary capacity to host

international events and to organize highresounding world meeting.

The successful and felicitous visit of Euro-

pean Council on Tourism and Trade delega-

tion , the high level and inclusive dialogue

with the relevant authorities of Lao PDR, the

reciprocated vision of rapid evolving rela-

tions, the clearly marked economic, touristic

and cultural opportunities are all testa-

ment`s of the desire to further extend thedialogue. (EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOUR-

ISM AND TRADE PRESS OFFICE )


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26 APRIL 2013 EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE ELECTS

LAOS AS WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013

On 26th of April 2013 in a public sance of

the European Council on Tourism and Trade,

gathering representatives of tourism organi-

zations from European continent has de-

bated the list of candidates for WORLD BEST

TOURIST DESTINATION for 2013.

Professor Dr. Mircea Constantinescu, Direc-

tor of Tourism Academy had presented a

report on the last year situation of the

Award for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINA-

TION that was dedicated to Trinidad and

Tobago and it was used accordingly with

rules and regulations and have being proving

highly efficient in attracting new tourists and

investor`s. In 2012 Trinidad and Tobago had

reverse the downward spiral in number of

tourists and revenues provided by tourism

and was the ONLY country in the Caribbean

region that registered an increase in number

of visitors despite economic crisis.

Increase in investment, increase in tourism

potential and number of foreign visitors was

the positive outcome of WORLD BEST TOUR-

IST DESTINATION AWARD for Trinidad and

Tobago concluded professor dr. Mircea Con-

stantinescu.

On the debate for WORLD BEST TOURIST

DESTINATION AWARD FOR 2013 professor

dr. Anton Caragea, President of European

Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) pre-

sented the report titled: LAOS: A TOURISTIC

AND CULTURAL PARADISE proposing LAOS as

the winner of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTI-

NATION FOR 2013.

Among the reasons for awarding WORLD

BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013 to

LAOS the report outlined:

Promoting a new concept of community

based tourism, friendly to nature, with lowecological impact and preservation of natu-

ral biodiversity and protection of endan-

gered species and areas, especially rainfor-

est eco-climate.

Community based ecotourism is a way to

share revenues and income, to support rural

communities in prospering and presenting

their foodstuff and handicrafts to the world

and to make the base for an economic local

development.

Sharing tourism benefits to all the popula-

tion, offering a social tourism it is a lesson

that Lao is offering to the world.

Laos is offering to tourists not only a histori-

cal and outstanding cultural experience but

also the possibility to explore nature , to

contribute to ecological preservation and

the opportunity to visit extraordinary space

such as: Nam Ngum reservoir, Bolaven pla-

teau, Mekong river islands, Mekong river

boat trip, Tad Kouangsi waterfall , the cave

of de Ting. All this are model of achieve-ments in ecological and green tourism that

must be world recognized.

The continuous development and protection

of cultural and historical patrimony of Peo-

ples Democratic Republic of LAO, the trans-

formation of Vientiane in a historical and

spiritual center offering to the visitor a

glimpse into rich culture and heritage of

peoples of Lao.

- The preservation of an outstanding histori-

cal and cultural patrimony that comprises

wonderful sites such as: Wat Phu- a UNESCO

World Heritage Site from 12th century, the

remarkable site from Plain of Jars, offering

an insight into Neolithic civilization and a

rare window into traditions of centuries.

Today, Lao is offering an open air museum, a

rare collection of historical and archeological

treasures that educate and enrich the world.

- The preservation of religious sites of world

26 APRIL 2013

PHOTO CHRONICLE

OF EUROPEAN COUNCIL

ON TOURISM AND TRADE

MEETING


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26 APRIL 2013 EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE ELECTS

LAOS AS WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013

significance and value such as: Wat Xieng

Thong, one of the most important of world

Buddhism monasteries and remains a signifi-

cant place for the spirit of religion and tradi-

tional art. Other sites that must be men-

tioned such as: Wat Phu (UNESCO heritage

site) and Champasak Cultural Landscape

(under UNESCO recognition).

Keeping alive spiritual tradition, integrating

tourist`s and visitors in the atmosphere of

the Lao people, offering possibility for an

enriching cultural experience, are all

achievements that transform Peoples De-

mocratic Republic of LAO in a spiritual desti-

nation of first hand.

After hearing the report, Senator Ionel Agrig-

oroaiei, from Romanian Parliamentary and

Director in European Council on Tourism and

Trade had express the feelings of all present

at the gathering declaring that: LAOS is a

strong candidate, with a perfect record of

promoting clean, ecological and social ori-

ented tourism and that only a unanim-

ity vote in favor of LAOS could express

the European tourism and economic

community decisive action in favor of

such a world model.

Mr. Mark Doda, representing Balkan

countries at the meeting had also

stated the desire of peoples of South-

East Europe to support a new model of

tourism in the present economic cli-

mate, a community based tourism on

Laos example. In the end of the debate

European Council on Tourism and

Trade decided, unanimously, to award

WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION

FOR 2013 TITLE TO LAO PEOPLE`S DE-

MOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to declare

LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

-FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATIONS

in 2013.

It was also presented the Official Invi-

tation, on behalf of Ministry of Infor-

(EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND

TRADE PRESS OFFICE )

mation, Culture and Tourism of LAO for a

delegation of European high ranking official

of European Council on Tourism and Trade,

to present the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTI-

NATION AWARD in Vientiane, in person, to

His Excellency Minister of Tourism Professor

dr. BOSENGKHAM VONGDARA.

Awarding the highest tourism distinction of

European Council on Tourism and Trade,

accepting the invitation for an working visit

of high ranking members of European Coun-

cil on Tourism and Trade in LAOS, are esti-

mated by all tourism experts as a good ex-

ample of close tourism relations and mutual

consensus between Europe and Laos, said

at the end of the meeting Professor Anton

Caragea, President of European Council on

Tourism and Trade.


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LAOS: SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL MINISTER BOSENGKHAM VONGDARA KEY NOTE

SPEECH FOR WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION CEREMONY FOR 2013

On behalf of the Lao government and people, it

is my pleasure and delight to welcome all dele-

gates to the presentation ceremony of the

World's Best Tourist Destination Award for2013 to Laos.

Today, the Lao government and people are

proud and delighted to have received this hon-

orable prize, which demonstrates the great

achievements of tourism development in Laos.

Laos offers impressive tourist attractions and

services for tourists from across the world.

I would like to take this opportunity to praise

and express my sincere gratitude to the Euro-pean Council on Tourism and Trade and all tour-

ists for highly valuing Lao tourism and selecting

Laos as the World's Best Tourist Destination for

2013.

I would like, especially, to welcome Prof. Dr.

Anton Caragea, Chairman of the European

Council on Tourism and Trade, and his delega-

tion to Laos to attend the ceremony and pre-

sent the award.

The Lao PDR is diverse in languages, cultures

and customs, which have been inherited from

our ancestors over thousands of years. The

country is rich in spectacular natural resources

as well as having a long and civilised history and

well-known archaeological sites, which further

boosts Laos' tourism potential. With great ef-

fort and a high sense of responsibility by the

Party and government since the 4th Party Con-

gress in 1986 outlined a comprehensive renova-

tion policy to open up for foreign cooperation,

tourism has played an ever more prominent

role in the country's socio-economic develop-

ment. The government has defined policy and

taken action to develop and promote cultural,

natural and historical tourism. To facilitate the

growth of tourism and services, the govern-ment has done its utmost to develop infrastruc-

ture such as building roads to link all regions

across the country as well as connecting with

neighbouring countries. Over the past 4-5 years,

the government has exerted utmost efforts to

increase the number of border checkpoints to

integrate with countries in the region and the

world at large. At present, the Lao PDR has 23

international checkpoints, of which 21 can issue

visas. Laos has four international airports

(Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang

International Airport, Savannakhet Interna-

tional Airport and Pakxe International Airport).

Visas have been exempted for citizens of Asean

member countries. Laos has also granted visa

exemptions to citizens of Japan, Republic of

Korea, Switzerland, Russia, Mongolia and

EYE ON IT

Kazakhstan congratulates

LAOS for being named

WORLD BEST TOURISTDESTINATION FOR 2013

His Excellency Kazakhstan Ambas-

sador Talgat Kaliyev stated after

Laos was awarded the title of

WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINA-

TION FOR 2013 that :

I express my sincere congratulation

for the government of LAO PDR forthis outstanding success and pow-

erful promotion tool for tourism,

but also for the international pres-

tige of your country.

I hope that we can cooperate

within European Council on Tour-

ism and Trade for promoting tour-

ism, cultural and trade ties be-

tween our countries.

I express also our hope that we will

enjoy Lao PDR support for Kazakh-

stan candidature for World Best

Tourist Destination 2014.


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LAOS: SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL

ACADEMICIAN BOSENGKHAM VONGDARA KEY NOTE SPEECH

FOR WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION CEREMONY FOR 2013

and Luxembourg. The authorities have redefined that visas issued

at checkpoints permit the holders to stay in Laos for 15 days, re-

duced from 30 days previously.

According to Prime Ministerial Order No. 15 issued on June 20,

2006, these visas can be extended by the provincial authorities

instead of only by the Vientiane authority as before. In addition,

the government grants three-month visas to foreign citizens of Lao

origin who acquire visas from Lao embassies, which can be ex-

tended for another three months. However, visas issued at border

checkpoints grant only a two-month stay with another two months

of extension. After implementing the aforesaid tourism develop-

ment and promotion policy, the

tourism sec tor has grown rapidly.

From 1990 to 2012, foreign tourist

arrivals have risen by an average

of 20.36 percent annually. In

2012, Laos registered 3,330,072

foreign tourists generating total

r e v e n u e a s h i g h a s

US$513,576,784. By 2013 the

number of tour operators had

risen to 275 companies. Hotels

and guesthouses have also in-

creased and in 2012 there were

3,526 hotels and guesthouses

offering 35,857 rooms. Laos now

has 1,493 official tourist sites

comprising 849 sites of natural interest, 435 sites of cultural inter-

est, and 209 historical sites.

The Lao PDR shares similar characteristics with many other coun-

tries, such as different and diverse traditions and customs among

its multi-ethnic people. There are also impressive archaeological

and historical sites such as Luang Prabang, the historic town and

living world heritage site, and Vat Phou Champassak, which is an-

other world heritage site dating back to the 12th century. In addi-

tion, the historic caves of Viengxay (deemed to be the birthplace of

the Lao PDR) have become an open-air museum, while the Plain of

Jars is expected to be listed as a world heritage site in the near

future. The Lao PDR also has rich and beautiful natural sites suitable

for development as ecotourism attractions and green industry with-out smog or hazardous pollution, which will become new relaxing

sites to impress visitors from the region and the world.

Community-based eco-tourism programmes have become Laos'

unique feature and have great potential because they give visitors

the chance to get in touch with and taste nat ure, as well as the

everyday life of local people and the customs practised by the Lao

multiethnic people.

To translate the tourism development strategic plan for 2011-2020,

the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism in collaborationwith provincial authorities have carried out nature-based tourism

activities with the participation of local people by making use of the

local potential and conditions of each province.

Such activities were first initiated in 2000 in Luang Namtha prov-

ince, called the Community-based Eco-tourism Programme'. Simi-

lar programmes

now exist in all

17 provinces

i nvo l v i ng 4 0

distr icts and

160 v i l lages,

and have gener-

ate d i nco me

directly for local

people.

B e c a u s e o f

these progres-

s i v e g r e a t

achievements

of the Lao tour-

ism sector cou-

pled with the impressive progress made in socio-economic develop-

ment across the country, Laos has been praised by tourists and

friendly countries across the world, justified by the fact that Laos

has been awarded many honourable and impressive prizes as fol-

lows:

In 2008, the New York Times named Laos as one of 53 countries it

described as the world's top tourist destinations.

The world heritage site of Luang Prabang received the Top City

Gold Award after being voted the world's top tourist destination by


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LAOS: SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL

ACADEMICIAN BOSENGKHAM VONGDARA KEY NOTE SPEECH

FOR WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION CEREMONY FOR 2013

Wanderlust, a UK based travel magazine from 2006 to 2008,

and again from 2010 to 2012.

The Community-based Eco-tourism Programme in the Nam Ha

Protected Forest Area in Luang Namtha province also won an

award for best poverty alleviation project' and best services'given by the United Nations Development Programme. And

today, we feel proud and honoured that the European Council

on Tourism and Trade awards Laos with the World's Best Tour-

ist Destination Award for 2013. This honourable prize will make

Laos even more popular among tourists across the globe, and

will drive the development of the tourism sector in our coun-

try.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt

thanks to Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of the Euro-

pean Council on Tourism and Trade, for highly valuing the de-

velopment of Lao tourism. I agree with his comment that In

the 21st century, tourism has become an important bridge for

friendship and relations among nations in the world; it is also a

way to promote peace and mutual understanding and lead theway to a good future.

The Lao PDR stands ready to continue to develop the tourism

sector to contribute to establishing and enhancing friendly

relations among nations in the world to make a joint effort to

promote peace and mutual understanding, together entering

into the proper future of development under the sky of peace,

friendship and sustainable cooperation.

On this auspicious occasion, I would like to wish Party and state

leaders and honourable Lao and foreign guests participating in

this ceremony good health, success in your noble tasks, happi-ness and prosperity, and further contributions to the tourism

development of our country for progressive success.

I would like, especially, to wish Professor Dr Anton Caragea and

high-level delegates from the European Council on Tourism

and Trade good health, success in your noble tasks and happi-

ness, and to further contribute to promoting Lao tourism in

Europe and across the globe.


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LAO PDR A CULTURAL AND TOURISTIC PARADISE

by Professor Dr. Anton Caragea-PRESIDENT OF

EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE

His Excellency Mr. Asang Laoly, Deputy Prime Minister in

charge of Social and Cultural Affairs

His Excellency Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister

and Minister of Foreign Affairs

Your Excellency`s distinguish members of Government of Peo-

ples Democratic Republic of Lao

We have all gather here to pay homage to an idea and to a

country that embodies this idea.

The idea is encompass in the simple truth that: in XXI century

tourism has become a bridge towards knowledge and friend-

ship between peoples and countries , a way to promote peace

and understanding, a road that leads towards a better future.

We have also gather here to express our appreciation for a

country and a people that will embody in 2013 this triumphant

spirit of tourism: the people of Lao.

I must re-emphasize that: tourism is in the XXI century, not

only a way to enjoy life, to discover new places, new cultures

but also a mass phenomenon that combines sightseeing, rec-

reation and health

care.

Tourism has become,

in the world today, an

intrinsic value of hu-

man life and experi-

ence and what I like

to call a natural right

of all people: the

right to move freely,

to express freely and

to enjoy a life of ad-venture and discover-

ies.

Undoubtedly, for a country tourism is a constant and serious

source of revenue, is becoming an important factor to promote

development, to build roads, to offer to people a source of

income and employment, a source of prosperity.

But, material significance of tourism must not elapse the true

value of tourism: as a way for people`s to build bridges of

friendship and tolerance, to discover different cultures, ideas

and way`s of life, to embrace the beauty of being different.

We must also clearly mark that: tourism must be based on a

set of values such as nature preservation, cultural and histori-

cal patrimony conservation for future generation and exactly

for this need we have carved WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINA-

TION AWARD as an international recognition for the country`s

that are respecting this values .

I must say what a privilege is for our delegation to honor a

country that is becoming a WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINA-

TION.

It is also a great pleasure to address our salute to the great

people of Lao, a people that had build throughout centuries aperfect civilization, with hundreds of monuments of historical

and civilization relevance, a people that had offered to human-

ity countless riches: from religious temple and scriptures to

literary texts and historical writings .

Today, Lao had become a cultural and touristic world power

and the main credit belongs, without a doubt, to the great peo-

ple of Laos, that

from 1975 onwards

is constructing alife of dignity, lib-

erty and tolerance

in a free country.

Today, in a world

that rarely accepts

and tolerates dif-

ference, we come

to honor a country

of TOLERANCE, in aw o r l d c r o w d e d

w i t h p s e u d o -

culture, without a


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doubt, to the great people of Laos, that from 1975 onwards is

constructing a life of dignity, liberty and tolerance in a free

country.

Today, in a world that rarely accepts and tolerates difference,

we come to honor a country of TOLERANCE, in a world

crowded with pseudo-culture, without a form and substance ,

we come today to honor a TRUE CULTURE , in a world that is

loosing the true values, we come today the honor a real TOUR-ISTIC VALUE, in a time in which to many speak and do not act

for historical sites preservation, we come to honor a PARADISE

OF HISTORY , we come to honor the People`s Democratic Re-

public of LAO .

Here, we have all gather to show our support for the values of

humanity, of educational and cultural tourism . We are all here

in the search for a country that offer to tourists a complete

experience, a country that educates spirit, elevates soul and

gives everybody a lesson in history and culture.

We all have found in LAO the perfect teacher in tourism, offer-

ing to all the tourist`s of the world the possibility of a safe,

pleasurable and enlightening tourist experience.

Among the reasons leading to awarding WORLD BEST TOURIST

DESTINATION FOR 2013 title to PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUB-

LIC OF LAOS our report had taken under consideration:

- The preservation of an outstanding historical and cultural

patrimony that comprises wonderful sites such as: Wat Phu- a

UNESCO World Heritage Site from 12th century, the remark-

able site from Plain of Jars, offering an insight into Neolithic

civilization and a rare window into traditions of centuries.

A name that needs no introduction: the UNESCO heritage site

of Luang Prabang, with the gems of Haw Kham and Vat Xieng

Toung monastery.

I could continue for hours this list of treasures, but I will enu-

merate just in Vientiane- Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple of

the city and the world famous That Luang complex.

Today, Lao is offering an open air museum, a rare collection of

historical and archeological treasures that educate and enrich

the world.

- The preservation

of religious sites of

world significance

and value such as:

Wat Xieng Thong,

one of the most

important of world

Buddhism monas-

teries and remains

a significant place for the spirit of religion and traditional art.

Other sites that must be mentioned such as: Wat Phu (UNESCO

heritage site) and Champasak Cultural Landscape ( under

UNESCO recognition).

Keeping alive spiritual tradition, integrating tourist`s and visi-

tors in the atmosphere of the Lao people, offering possibility

for an enriching cultural experience, are all achievements that

transform Peoples Democratic Republic of LAO in a spiritual

destination of first hand.

Promoting a new concept of community based tourism,

friendly to nature, with low ecological impact and preservation

of natural biodiversity and protection of endangered species

and areas, especially rainforest eco-climate.

Community based ecotourism is a way to share revenues and

income, to support rural communities in prospering and pre-

senting there foodstuff and handicrafts to the world and tomake the base for an economic local development.

Sharing tourism benefits to all the population, offering a social

tourism it is a lesson that Lao is offering to the world.


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Supporting Lao community tourism project as a way to spread

wealth, it is a duty for everybody and one of the main reason

for portraying Laos as a world example of democratic tourism,

a tourism that is not only offering benefits to the rich, but to all

people. Lao example must be appreciated and supported , and

all tourist that are going to Lao must know that an investment

in Lao tourism is an investment in the future of Lao people.

Offering to tourists not only a historical and outstanding cul-tural experience but also the possibility to explore nature, to

contribute to ecological preservation and the opportunity to

visit extraordinary space such as: Nam Ngum reservoir, Bolaven

plateau, Mekong river islands, Mekong river boat trip, Tad

Kouangsi waterfall, the cave of de Ting . All this are model of

achievements in ecological and green tourism that must be

world recognized .

The continuous development and protection of cultural and

historical patrimony of Peoples Democratic Republic of LAO,the transformation of Vientiane in a historical and spiritual

center offering to the visitor a glimpse into rich culture and

heritage of peoples of Lao.

For all this reasons, among many others, European Council on

Tourism and Trade decided, unanimously, to award WORLD

BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013 title to PEOPLE`S DE-

MOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF LAOS and to declare PEOPLE`S DE-

MOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF LAOS- FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINA-

TION in 2013.

This title is an international recognition of Your work for Peo-

ples Democratic Republic of LAO until today, in the service of

history and civilization, tourism and culture, in the service of

the people of LAO, but is also a challenge because now we are

expecting your services in the future benefit of the world cul-

ture and tourism.

May this award be transformed in a support for developing the

international standing of People`s Democratic Republic of LAO ,

for a sustainable tourism and development and in a base for

further success for SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL - Peoples Democratic

Republic of LAO .

Is my privileged to award Your Excellency, as representative of

tourism of PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF LAOS the

award for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013 .

We congratulate You and people of People`s Democratic

Republic of LAO for this outstanding achievements.


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LAOS A MASTERPIECE OF CULTURAL TOURISM by

Professor Dr. MIRCEA CONSTANTINESCU-DIRECTOR

OF EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

We traveled here to bring to you, the people of the Lao Peo-

ples Democratic Republic, our message of friendship, peace,

tolerance and mutual understanding, a message from the very

heart of the European Union.

This spring, The European Council on Tourism and Trade

awarded the highest tourism prize, the World Best Tourist Des-

tination for 2013 to the Peoples Democratic Republic of Laos.

60 years ago a well known scientist predicted that up to the

end of the last century the world will become global, and that

all the people in the world will be living in the global village.

It seems indeed that we are living now in a global world, where

all the nations are called to solve

complex problems of interna-

tional, national, confessional,

environmental and social nature.

And Laos is indeed a part of this

global village. The strategic per-

spective and the wise and bal-

anced approach adopted by your

government and by your coun-

trys leadership is a wonderful

example. Your country is con-

nected to the world with care and confidence, step by step,

keeping a balance between the international and the national

perspective.

This means respect for the national identity of Laos, a realiza-

tion of the importance of the countrys image in the world, as

well as a need for a sincere and positive cooperation with

other countries for the progress and well-being of mankind.

When we study the realities of Laos and place of Laos in the

modern world we discover that your country is from a certain

point of view the melting pot that the same scientist pre-

dicted, a place and a nation where interethnic, interracial, inter

-confessional problems are solved peacefully, with a careful

approach to the environment, people, ancient and modern

culture, national and global economy. Here is a typical example

of the wise manner in which the countrys leadership is solving

complex problems and situations.

The leaders of Laos, in accordance with the needs and expecta-

tions of the Laos society and people decided that the activities

of information, culture and tourism are gathered under the

same umbrella, in the same ministry, underlying the impor-tance of the three activities, their national importance, as well

as their strong interconnection.

Information is vital for any human activity, for any nation in-

volved in the process of multilateral development. The last

century could be described as the beginning of the information

age. It seems to be a never-ending story. Recent studies re-

vealed the too much informa-

tion from too many sources

could be harmful. The individualeffort of looking for information

sources, receiving and decod-

ing, selecting and interpreting

may require too much effort.

Too much and too divers infor-

mation could be confusing.

Spending too much time inside

the virtual world keeps us from

living in real life: to work, to spend quality time with family and

friends, to meet new people and to enjoy the nature. From

ancient times, teaching was the basic method of censorship

and selection, of passing important information from one gen-

eration to another.

Culture is the heart of every nation, of every group of people

related by place, time and political context. Again, almost 40

years ago, the new leadership of your country took a wise and

strategic decision to the build the identity of the Lao nation,

the present and the future of the country on the heritage of

the past. Wisdom and tolerance, firmness and balance, werethe concepts that guided the building of a nation, proud of its

past and confident in its future.


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LAOS A MASTERPIECE OF CULTURAL

TOURISM by Professor Dr. MIRCEA

CONSTANTINESCU-DIRECTOR OF

EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY

The collaboration with UNESCO in identifying and carefully

preserving the heritage of the Lao people is at the same time a

token of admiration and respect of the whole world for the

treasures of the Lao nation. As you may know, the most pre-

cious treasure of your country, are the people! They are

friendly and their hospitality is already known around the

world. They seem to live according to other time measures,

and I am sure that the English idioms take your time and

take it easy have their ancient roots in Lao!

We may thank you for reminding us that there is life beyond

stress, morning rush, crazy schedules and endless meetings.

And at last, the most complex task of all: tourism. It involves

resources and money, smart managers and nice people, a cul-

tural heritage and an enchanting nature, along with good food,

good transportation, good housing and most of all, good will.

Taking a look at the progress made by Laoss tourism, we may

affirm that Laos has all the above incentives, and may become

many years from now, a preferred tourist destination for mil-

lions of people from all over the world.

Dear friends,

It is so easy for me to bring to you all the good words from the

Europe. I would like to congratulate once again your great

leaders, their leadership teams and all the Lao people, men

and women that contributed to building together a proud na-

tion, admired and respected by the entire world.

And finally from our hearts again congratulations for being

awarded the highest tourism prize, the World Best Tourist Des-

tination for 2013 to the Peoples Democratic Republic of Laos

by The European Council on Tourism and Trade.

We are here to award to Prof. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara,

Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, the Honorary

Membership of the European Tourism Academy.

He asked me to speak from the heart, not from the books. This

is not a laudatio, so I do not have to tell you almost anything

about the curriculum vitae of Prof. Vongdara. You all know

him, and what I can say is that he had an outstanding career as

professor, as politician, as a member of the Party and a mem-

ber of the Executive.

We all know how hard and sometimes painful is to increase our

knowledge, to become experts in one area or another. Profes-

sor Vongdara had the chance to bring his theoretical and prac-

tical expertise and knowledge into the politics and executive

matters.

Tourism is not an easy task. We consider that developing a

quality tourism is at the crossroads of many domains of a na-

tions life. The fine job done by Prof. Vongdara at the head ofthe Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, we consider

to be the beginning of a globalization process of Laos tourism,

and we hope in the very next future that Laos will become an

important actor not only in the ASEAN and in the neighboring

areas, but as a world preferred tourist destination.

Also from our hearts again congratulations for being awarded

the highest tourism prize, the World Best Tourist Destination

for 2013 to the Peoples Democratic Republic of Laos by The

European Council on Tourism and Trade.

We are congratulating you, Academician Prof. Dr. Bosengkham

Vongdara ,the newest member of European Tourism Academy.

LAUDATIO FOR ACADEMICIAN BOSENGKHAM

VONGDARA BY MIRCEA CONSTANTINESCU

DIRECTOR OF EUROPEAN TOURISM

ACADEMY


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Photo montage by Nicolae Nicolae


WORLD BEST TOURIST AWARD CEREMONYFOR

LAOS

2013 WINNER-VIENTIANE


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Photo montage by Nicolae Nicolae


DELEGATION VISIT IN LAOSWORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION 2013

May 2013


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European Tourism

Academy is welcoming anew member

DR. BOSENGKHAM

VONGDARAMinister of Information,Culture and Tourism of

LAO PDR

August 2013Professor dr. Anton Caragea will lead an ECTT delega-

tion in Kazakhstan

August 2013WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM CEREMO-

NIES in Turkistan, Kazakhstan

September 2013WORLD TOURISM DAY celebration at European

Council on Tourism and Trade

October 2013 Autumn Diplomatic Trip in the framework of DISCOVER

EUROPE PROGRAM of European Council on Tourism and Trade

November 2013Professor dr. Anton Caragea will lead an ECTT dele-

gation in Turkmenistan

November 2013Professor dr. Anton Caragea will lead an ECTT dele-

gation in United Arab Emirates

December 2013The General Meeting of ECTT in BucharestPalace of

Parliament

Upcoming Events for European Tourism

EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND

TRADE ( E.C.T.T.)

22 Franceza Street

Bucharest,Romania

0040213157730 ph

0040213157730 fax

[email protected] email

www.ectt.webs.com

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TOURISM-LAOS: WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013

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