Integrating Business Skills into Ecotourism Operations Understanding your market and product Björn Schimanski, MD Asian Trails Laos

Integrating Business Skills into Ecotourism

Operations

Understanding your market and product

Björn Schimanski, MD

Asian Trails Laos

Understand you product

Tourism in Laos – A short summary

TOPICS

1. Asian Trails – What we do.

2. The main tourist attractions of Laos

3. Some examples of products which work in Luang Prabang

4. Who comes to Laos? Who should I target for?


THAILAND

MALAYSIA

INDONESIA

VIETNAM

CAMBODIA

LAOSMYANMAR

CHINA

HONG KONG

PHILIPPINES

EAST MALAYSIA

SINGAPORE

INDIA

BHUTAN Beijing

Hanoi

Danang

Ho Chi Minh

Siem Reap

Phnom PenhBattambang

Luang Prabang

Vientiane

Mandalay

Bagan Inle Lake

Yangon

Bangkok

Koh Chang

Koh Samui

KrabiKhao Lak

Phuket

Kuala Lumpur

Bali

Guangzhou

Where are we?

25 offices in 8 countries

Pakse

JakartaYogyakarta


Complete Destination Services

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

All Asian Trails destinations offer the same core products and services which can be

divided into the following categories:

► Hotels

► Coach tours

► Private tours

► Car rentals

► Airport transfers

► Soft adventure tours

► Cruises

► Harley Davidson motorcycle tours

► Home-stay

► ‘Explore’ tours and packages

► VIP Gold & Platinum Services

► Biking tours

► Self-drive package tours

► Lifestyle packages

► Cooking classes

► Spa holiday

► Golfing

► Private villas

► Private jets

► Luxury train journeys

► Full MICE services

Through selected partners, we are also able to arrange full DMC services in Bhutan,

Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong.


Introducing Asian Trails Explore – Tours & Packages

ASIAN TRAILS EXPLORE

We are not discoverers. These stumble upon the unknown

unexpectedly. We are not adventurers. These seek exciting

but typically hazardous activities for personal enjoyment. We

are explorers. We purposely travel into undiscovered or

investigated territory. We have a clear goal and prepare

voraciously. We gather all available information concerning a

proposed activity. We practice any skill required to perfection.

And we pass this knowledge and experience onto you so that

you can offer your travellers a truly perfect, local travel

experience.

Come explore with us.


Asian Trails VIP Products & Services

VIP SERVICES

For connoisseurs of fine travel, we are pleased to offer a selection of

bespoke services, hand picked to ensure an exemplary

holiday experience.

Each destination offers an array of Gold and Platinum Level services. These

vary from destination to destination and include

personal touches such as meet and greet directly from

the aircraft and effortlessly escorted through airport

formalities; informal meetings over breakfast with

locally renowned businessmen, artists, journalists or

celebrities; transfers and tours by comfortable, luxury

cars, vessels, helicopters and jets and of course the

best accommodation available.

A further insight into our VIP services can be found on each of the following

destination pages which follow.


Laos


Laos – quick facts

QUICK FACTS

• Full Name: Lao People's Democratic Republic

• Population: 6.5 Mio, estimated (2011)

• Capital: Vientiane

• Largest city : Vientiane

• Major language: Lao

• Major religion: Buddhism

• Monetary unit: Lao Kip

• Political system: Single Party State

• Borders: Myanmar (Northwest), China (North),

Vietnam (East), Thailand (West), Cambodia

(South)


Laos – Asian Trails Laos (AT Lao Co., Ltd.)

OFFICES• Vientiane – 30 staff

• Luang Prabang – 14 staff

• Pakze – 5 staff

• TOTAL STAFF - 49



Destination map

MAJOR TOURISTIC REGIONS

1.Hanoi

2.Halong

3.Central Vietnam

4.Ho Chi Minh

5.Siem Reap

6.Luang Prabang

12

3

4

5

6


Destination Laos


• By Air

• To Vientiane : Lao Airlines (BKK, SGN, REP, KMG, CNX ), Thai Airways (BKK), Vietnam Airlines (HAN, SGN, PNH),

China Eastern Airlines (KMG), Air Asia (KUL)

• To Luang Prabang : Lao Airlines (BKK, HAN, REP, JHG), Bangkok Airways (BKK), Vietnam Airlines (HAN, REP)

• To Pazke : Lao Airlines (BKK, REP, SGN)

• To Savannakhet : Lao Airlines (BKK)

• By overland

• Many entry points from Vietnam Thailand, China and Cambodia

• Visa on arrival : available at most points, for many nationalities (please check for exceptions)

Laos – Entry points


Laos offers…

DISCOVER LAOS

► Experience the laid back way of life, still rooted deep with local

traditions.

► Visit century old monasteries and witness hundreds of monks going

about their daily routines.

► Stunning dramatic landscapes and wild rugged scenery.

► Adventurous activities through canyons, rivers, mountains and

gorges.

► Visits to market towns and refreshingly simple villages and hamlets

► Explore many paths, still off the beaten track

► Delicate flavours and delicious Laotian cuisine


ACTIVITIES


LUANG PRABANG CITY TOUR BY BIKE

Catch your first impression of LUANG PRABANG!

Ride slowly through the streets of these peaceful city while admiring its heritage sites such as the Vat Xieng Thong (16th century) or the Royal Palace Museum. Look at the local crafts sold on the Hmong market and climb up to Phousi Hill for sunset to enjoy the unique view over the city and its surroundings.

Activities


KUANGSY WATERFALL

Located only 40 minutes away from Luang Prabang are the amazing Kuangsi waterfalls.

Take a short walk through the forest to the waterfall, visit the bear’s conservation centre or enjoy the scenery and take a swim in one of the nearby clear natural pools. An exquisite picnic lunch at the waterfall can be arranged and the tour can be combined with a visit to traditional villages such as Ban Xiang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek, where you can learn about their paper and weaving techniques.

Activities


ELEPHANT TREKK

Laos is the land of the million elephants, so why not trek on an Elephant to discover the spectacular surroundings of Luang Prabang?

Your elephant “driver” will take you for a ride through the jungle and the river and if you feel brave enough, you can also ride the elephant by yourself! The Elephant Camp also counts with a swimming pool where you can wait for your turn to ride the elephant while enjoying superb views of the area.

Activities


ACCOMMODATION


LA RESIDENCE PHOU VAO BY ORIENTS EXPRESS

Positioned atop a hill, with stunning mountain views, La Résidence Phou Vao is an unforgettable place to stay.

Its calm, tranquil ambience echoes that of the sleepy World Heritage town of Luang Prabang—former royal capital of Laos—spread out below.

This Orient-Express hotel is known for its wonderful French-influenced local cuisine and an open-air spa beside a water lily pool. Relax, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy stepping back into a more gracious era.

Where to stay?

QUICK FACTS

Style:Star Rating:Total Rooms:Restaurants:Address:

Website:

French colonial 532 rooms and 2 suitesInternationalPhou Vao HillLuang Prabang, LAO PDRwww.residencephouvao.com

http://www.residencephouvao.com/


AMANTAKA

Set on a large garden estate, Amantaka is housed in graceful French colonial buildings in the UNESCO protected town of Luang Prabang.

Airy and elegant throughout, the décor and furnishings reflect the town’s French colonial history. Situated just south of Phousi Hill, the resort is within strolling distance of the boutiques, bakeries and restaurants lining the town’s main street. The fabled night market, the picturesque banks of the Mekong River and the former Royal Palace are also nearby.

Where to stay?

QUICK FACTS

Style:Star Rating:Total Rooms:Restaurants:Address:

Website:

French Colonial style524 rooms, 16 with private poolInternational55/3 Kingkitsarath RoadLuang Prabang, LAO PDRwww.amanresorts.com

http://www.amanresorts.com/


Nong Khiaw

Where to stay?

NONG KHIAW RIVERSIDE

Nong Kiau is a small rustic town by the bridge where the Route 1 to Sam Neua and Vietnam crosses the Ou River. This little settlement is blessed with probably the some of the most attractive natural settings in Northern Laos. Vertical limestone mountains with a river that runs through it takes the breath away. Nong Kiau Riverside stretches over 300 meters along the river only surrounded by forest and mountains. There are hardly any other sounds than the songs of hundreds of birds and cicadas.


BOAT LANDING GUEST HOUSE

The Boat Landing Guest House and Restaurant is the premier ecotourism lodge (Eco-lodge) in Luang Namtha, Laos' northwestern most province, with access to the Nam Ha Protected Area, the Namtha River and Lao ethnic villages for rafting, trekking, and biking trips. Our restaurant serves local Lao food with a large selection of vegetarian choices. We are located 6 kms from the provincial town and just 1 km from the airport.

Where to stay?


Laos Tourism update

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

737,208 673,823 735,662 636,361

894,806

1,095,315 1,215,106

1,623,943 1,736,787

2,008,363

2,513,028 2,723,564

Tourist Arrivals


Laos Tourism update


Laos Tourism update


• Hi Growth markets: Vietnam, Korea

• Medium growth: Thailand, Australia,

UK

• Stagnation/decline: USA, France,

Germany

• Unsteady - ?: China, Japan

Laos Tourism update


Tourist Arrivals

Laos Tourism update


Tourist Arrivals

Laos Tourism update


Patterns of travelers to the region – What is your target group?

• Laos:

• - Visa hoppers, day trips etc. • - Culturally interested• - Repeaters to Asia• - Nature interested• - For package holidays usually in combination with neighboring countries

• Vietnam:

• - Business travelers• - Culture, Nature interested• - Beach holiday

• Myanmar

• - similar to Vietnam• - added value as being new and trendy


Summary – what makes a good product? Questions to ask yourself!

• Know your target market

• What is your USP? Why should someone want your product?

• How much will they pay – and do you make money with it?

• Competition?!

• Can you handle it LONG TERM?

• How is the access to your destination? Does it match with your target market?

• Are you really eco friendly?

• Do the locals like it too?


THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Documents

Integrating Business Skills into Ecotourism Operations Understanding your market and product Björn Schimanski, MD Asian Trails Laos