05 May 2009

World Ecotourism Conference for Laos 2009

With the support of UNWTO, regional NTOs and key ecotourism players, Laos National Tourism Administration will be the hosts of the World Ecotourism Conference (WEC2009) to be held from 15 to 17 July 2009 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

The WEC2009 aims to provide a stage for trade and technical exchanges between the governments, academia, NGOs and tourism trade pertaining to best practices and technologies for the advancement of the ecotourism sector through macro and micro management of nature conservation, environment protection, preservation of ethnic communities, sustainable and responsible tourism, impacts of climate change and environment degradation.

It aims to attract both proponents and practitioners - government officials, environment managers, researchers, academicians as well as all those in the tourism trade from eco-lodge operators and eco-tour operators to eco-enthusiasts.

There are innovative sessions which include:-

• Private Sector/Public Sector "one to one" meetings to promote understanding, collaboration and cooperation
• Inception Meeting of the proposed Asia Pacific Ecotourism Society (APES)

Minister Somphong Mongkhonvilay, Chairman of Lao National Tourism Administration said "On behalf of the Lao PDR Government and the Organising Committee, I am happy to invite you to attend this prestigious Conference and if you have not visited Laos before, this is an opportune time to be fascinated by her pristine beauty and tranquillity as well as her rich cultural heritage and wildlife. Vientiane is easily accessible by flight from Bangkok, Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur. From Bangkok there are overland transfers by bus and a new train service into Vientiane."

Valere Tjolle