Integrating Business Skills into Ecotourism Operations
Understanding your market and product
Björn Schimanski, MD
Asian Trails Laos
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?
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Where are we?
25 offices in 8 countries
BHUTAN
Beijing
CHINA
INDIA
Guangzhou
Mandalay
MYANMAR
Inle Lake
Bagan
LAOS
HONG KONG
Hanoi
Luang Prabang
Vientiane
Yangon
THAILAND
Bangkok
Pakse
CAMBODIA
Siem Reap
Battambang
Phnom Penh
Koh Chang
VIETNAM
PHILIPPINES
Ho Chi Minh
Koh Samui
Khao Lak
Danang
Krabi
Phuket
MALAYSIA
EAST MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur
SINGAPORE
INDONESIA
Jakarta
Yogyakarta
Bali
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Complete Destination Services
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
All Asian Trails destinations offer the same core products and services which can be
divided into the following categories:
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Hotels
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Biking tours
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Coach tours
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Self-drive package tours
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Private tours
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Lifestyle packages
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Car rentals
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Cooking classes
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Airport transfers
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Spa holiday
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Soft adventure tours
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Golfing
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Cruises
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Private villas
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Harley Davidson motorcycle tours
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Private jets
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Home-stay
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Luxury train journeys
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‘Explore’ tours and packages
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Full MICE services
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VIP Gold & Platinum Services
Through selected partners, we are also able to arrange full DMC services in Bhutan,
Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong.
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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.
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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.
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Laos
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Laos – quick facts
QUICK FACTS
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Full Name: Lao People's Democratic Republic
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Population: 6.5 Mio, estimated (2011)
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Capital: Vientiane
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Largest city : Vientiane
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Major language: Lao
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Major religion: Buddhism
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Monetary unit: Lao Kip
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Political system: Single Party State
•
Borders: Myanmar (Northwest), China
(North), Vietnam (East), Thailand (West),
Cambodia (South)
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Laos – Asian Trails Laos (AT Lao Co., Ltd.)
OFFICES
•Vientiane – 30 staff
•Luang Prabang – 14 staff
•Pakze – 5 staff
•TOTAL STAFF - 49
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Destination map
MAJOR TOURISTIC REGIONS
1
2
1. Hanoi
6
2. Halong
3. Central Vietnam
4. Ho Chi Minh
3
5. Siem Reap
6. Luang Prabang
5
4
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Destination Laos
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Laos – Entry points
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By Air
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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)
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To Savannakhet : Lao Airlines (BKK)
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By overland
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Many entry points from Vietnam Thailand, China and Cambodia
•
Visa on arrival : available at most points, for many nationalities (please check for exceptions)
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Laos offers…
DISCOVER LAOS
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Experience the laid back way of life, still rooted deep with local
traditions.
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Visit century old monasteries and witness hundreds of monks going
about their daily routines.
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Stunning dramatic landscapes and wild rugged scenery.
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Adventurous activities through canyons, rivers, mountains and
gorges.
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Visits to market towns and refreshingly simple villages and hamlets
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Explore many paths, still off the beaten track
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Delicate flavours and delicious Laotian cuisine
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ACTIVITIES
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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.
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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.
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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.
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ACCOMMODATION
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Where to stay?
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.
QUICK FACTS
Style:
Star Rating:
Total Rooms:
Restaurants:
Address:
Website:
French colonial
5
32 rooms and 2 suites
International
Phou Vao Hill
Luang Prabang, LAO PDR
www.residencephouvao.com
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Where to stay?
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.
QUICK FACTS
Style:
Star Rating:
Total Rooms:
Restaurants:
Address:
Website:
French Colonial style
5
24 rooms, 16 with private pool
International
55/3 Kingkitsarath Road
Luang Prabang, LAO PDR
www.amanresorts.com
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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.
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Nong
Khiaw
Where to stay?
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.
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Laos Tourism update
Tourist Arrivals
2,723,564
2,513,028
2,008,363
1,736,787
1,623,943
1,215,106
1,095,315
894,806
737,208
2000
673,823
2001
735,662
2002
636,361
2003
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2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Laos Tourism update
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Laos Tourism update
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Laos Tourism update
• Hi Growth markets: Vietnam, Korea
• Medium growth: Thailand, Australia, UK
• Stagnation/decline: USA, France, Germany
• Unsteady - ?:
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China, Japan
Laos Tourism update
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Laos Tourism update
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Patterns of travelers to the region – What is your target group?
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Laos:
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•
•
•
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- Visa hoppers, day trips etc.
- Culturally interested
- Repeaters to Asia
- Nature interested
- For package holidays usually in combination with neighboring countries
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Vietnam:
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•
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- Business travelers
- Culture, Nature interested
- Beach holiday
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Myanmar
•
•
- similar to Vietnam
- added value as being new and trendy
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Summary – what makes a good product?
Questions to ask yourself!
•
Know your target market
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What is your USP? Why should someone want your product?
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How much will they pay – and do you make money with it?
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Competition?!
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Can you handle it LONG TERM?
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How is the access to your destination? Does it match with your target
market?
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Are you really eco friendly?
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Do the locals like it too?
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THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION
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