The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), and Laos’s Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism jointly organized a four-day digital skills training workshop, on 24-27 September in Luang Prabang Province.
Twenty-eight participants from the public and private sectors attended the event entitled, “Enhancing Digital Skills for Women in Tourism Communities in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam – The Training of Trainers.”
The face-to-face workshop addressed key issues such as digital marketing analysis and planning, promoting online community-based tourism enterprises, and developing digital skills training for community-based micro and small tourism businesses such as homestays, guest houses, restaurants, handicraft outlets, and local tour services.
Participants also visited community-based tourism enterprises, assessing their digital needs as real-life case studies.
The ‘training the trainers’ workshop also held sessions on effective resource utilization, planning, budgets, and setting goals for digital marketing.
Naoko Fujikawa, Assistant Director, ASEAN-Japan Centre said that digital skills were crucial for marketing tourism products to the world. However, not many women in the tourism sector had opportunities to develop their digital marketing skills.
“By empowering these women with the knowledge to connect their local tourism products to the global market, we are not only supporting their personal growth but also nurturing the sustainable development of their communities,” said Fujikawa.
Phonemaly Inthaphome, Director General of Tourism Development, Laos’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism said: “Women have the potential to lead and innovate in tourism. By enhancing their digital skills, we are not just investing in individual capabilities, we are investing in the future of their communities.”
Suvimol ‘Dee’ Thanasarakij, Executive Director of the MTCO noted that women made up more than half of the tourism workforce in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. However, many were informal laborers with limited access to education and opportunities.
“Through this training, we aim to empower women in local tourism communities with the digital skills needed to strengthen their businesses and gain greater exposure to the global market,” she said.
Fujikawa added: “We believe these participants will become catalysts for change, passing on their knowledge and driving innovation in tourism across their regions.”
After the event, Thanasarakij concluded: “We hope this training will create a ripple effect, with participants passing on their knowledge and skills to others, fostering resilience and growth across the region.”
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Empowering-Women-in-Tourism-to-Market-Mekong-Experiences-in-a-Digital-Age.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-11-12 11:22:002024-10-09 11:24:13Empowering Women in Tourism to Market Mekong Experiences in a Digital Age
On 24 September, the StarExpress, a new cross-border tourist train, launched its inaugural journey from Kunming, China, to Luang Prabang and Vientiane, Laos.
This new train link is an important step in promoting cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries, according to Chinese media.
The inaugural trip, lasting four days and three nights, gives passengers the chance to enjoy scenic views as the train crosses the Tropic of Cancer, passes through China’s Xishuangbanna, Laos’s Luang Prabang before reaching the Lao capital, Vientiane.
Following China’s National Day, on 1 October, the company plans to expand the tour to a seven-day, six-night package, providing travelers with more opportunities to explore the region.
Developed by China Tourism Group (CTG) Asset as part of the One Belt One Road initiative, the StarExpress aims to strengthen tourism ties between China and Laos.
This service is designed with a focus on environmental sustainability and passenger safety.
Prior to this launch, the Laos-China Railway introduced a passenger train service connecting Vientiane Capital to Beijing, China, passing through key tourist attractions such as Xishuangbanna and Chibi City in Hubei Province, as well as Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng in Laos.
The French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) and Nam Theun 2 Power Company celebrated the grand opening of the International Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CIREN) in Nakai district, Khammouane Province. The event was attended by government officials, environmental experts, community representatives, and international partners.
CIREN will serve as a hub for research, education, and capacity building in environmental conservation. It will focus on equipping local students with the knowledge and skills needed to address environmental challenges and contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources.
“The facility currently includes a fully equipped and operational biology laboratory, featuring state-of-the-art benches, microscopes, laminar flow hoods, and centrifuges, among other essential equipment. This laboratory is specialized for microscopic and molecular biology analyses, which are crucial for research on environmental, animal, and human health. In the near future, we plan to expand the laboratory to include a dedicated space for the reception and preservation of biological samples, as well as a teaching room equipped with pedagogical facilities. This development will further enhance our capacity to conduct critical research and training initiatives,” said Sabrina Locatelli, IRD Country Representative.
In his opening remarks, Nam Theun 2 CEO Marc-Antoine Rupp expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the establishment of CIREN. He highlighted the project’s significance in promoting localized scientific research, which will in turn benefit the study of the area’s rich biodiversity.
“CIREN represents a milestone in our commitment to conservation and education. Through collaboration with the IRD and Nakai Nam Theun National Park, we aim to create a local model for sustainable development in Laos,” Rupp said.
The center’s location in proximity to the Nakai Nam Theun National Park provides a unique opportunity for hands-on learning and research in a diverse and ecologically important area.
Rupp also called upon all stakeholders to join forces in supporting CIREN’s mission.
“By working together, we can strengthen Laos’ scientific community and learn more about the country’s rich biodiversity,” he said.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the collaboration among various sectors to enhance science and technology cooperation in Laos. This is evident in the establishment of the International Centre for Environmental Research and Education, which will serve as a training center for scientists and students, as well as a research hub to provide information to the communities. On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Sports and all Lao sectors, I hope that we will continue to collaborate in scientific research and organize joint activities,” Phout Simmalavong, Minister of Education and Sports.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/MG_9917-1.jpg9111367Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-11-10 10:46:482024-11-01 10:48:11French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, Nam Theun 2 Inaugurate Centre for Environmental Research, Education
Empowering Women in Tourism to Market Mekong Experiences in a Digital Age
The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), and Laos’s Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism jointly organized a four-day digital skills training workshop, on 24-27 September in Luang Prabang Province.
Twenty-eight participants from the public and private sectors attended the event entitled, “Enhancing Digital Skills for Women in Tourism Communities in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam – The Training of Trainers.”
The face-to-face workshop addressed key issues such as digital marketing analysis and planning, promoting online community-based tourism enterprises, and developing digital skills training for community-based micro and small tourism businesses such as homestays, guest houses, restaurants, handicraft outlets, and local tour services.
Participants also visited community-based tourism enterprises, assessing their digital needs as real-life case studies.
The ‘training the trainers’ workshop also held sessions on effective resource utilization, planning, budgets, and setting goals for digital marketing.
Naoko Fujikawa, Assistant Director, ASEAN-Japan Centre said that digital skills were crucial for marketing tourism products to the world. However, not many women in the tourism sector had opportunities to develop their digital marketing skills.
“By empowering these women with the knowledge to connect their local tourism products to the global market, we are not only supporting their personal growth but also nurturing the sustainable development of their communities,” said Fujikawa.
Phonemaly Inthaphome, Director General of Tourism Development, Laos’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism said: “Women have the potential to lead and innovate in tourism. By enhancing their digital skills, we are not just investing in individual capabilities, we are investing in the future of their communities.”
Suvimol ‘Dee’ Thanasarakij, Executive Director of the MTCO noted that women made up more than half of the tourism workforce in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. However, many were informal laborers with limited access to education and opportunities.
“Through this training, we aim to empower women in local tourism communities with the digital skills needed to strengthen their businesses and gain greater exposure to the global market,” she said.
Fujikawa added: “We believe these participants will become catalysts for change, passing on their knowledge and driving innovation in tourism across their regions.”
After the event, Thanasarakij concluded: “We hope this training will create a ripple effect, with participants passing on their knowledge and skills to others, fostering resilience and growth across the region.”
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/09/30/empowering-women-in-tourism-to-market-mekong-experiences-in-a-digital-age/
StarExpress Tourist Train Launches, Connecting Kunming to Laos
On 24 September, the StarExpress, a new cross-border tourist train, launched its inaugural journey from Kunming, China, to Luang Prabang and Vientiane, Laos.
This new train link is an important step in promoting cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries, according to Chinese media.
The inaugural trip, lasting four days and three nights, gives passengers the chance to enjoy scenic views as the train crosses the Tropic of Cancer, passes through China’s Xishuangbanna, Laos’s Luang Prabang before reaching the Lao capital, Vientiane.
Following China’s National Day, on 1 October, the company plans to expand the tour to a seven-day, six-night package, providing travelers with more opportunities to explore the region.
Developed by China Tourism Group (CTG) Asset as part of the One Belt One Road initiative, the StarExpress aims to strengthen tourism ties between China and Laos.
This service is designed with a focus on environmental sustainability and passenger safety.
Prior to this launch, the Laos-China Railway introduced a passenger train service connecting Vientiane Capital to Beijing, China, passing through key tourist attractions such as Xishuangbanna and Chibi City in Hubei Province, as well as Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng in Laos.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/09/27/starexpress-tourist-train-launches-connecting-kunming-to-laos/
French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, Nam Theun 2 Inaugurate Centre for Environmental Research, Education
The French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) and Nam Theun 2 Power Company celebrated the grand opening of the International Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CIREN) in Nakai district, Khammouane Province. The event was attended by government officials, environmental experts, community representatives, and international partners.
CIREN will serve as a hub for research, education, and capacity building in environmental conservation. It will focus on equipping local students with the knowledge and skills needed to address environmental challenges and contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources.
“The facility currently includes a fully equipped and operational biology laboratory, featuring state-of-the-art benches, microscopes, laminar flow hoods, and centrifuges, among other essential equipment. This laboratory is specialized for microscopic and molecular biology analyses, which are crucial for research on environmental, animal, and human health. In the near future, we plan to expand the laboratory to include a dedicated space for the reception and preservation of biological samples, as well as a teaching room equipped with pedagogical facilities. This development will further enhance our capacity to conduct critical research and training initiatives,” said Sabrina Locatelli, IRD Country Representative.
In his opening remarks, Nam Theun 2 CEO Marc-Antoine Rupp expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the establishment of CIREN. He highlighted the project’s significance in promoting localized scientific research, which will in turn benefit the study of the area’s rich biodiversity.
“CIREN represents a milestone in our commitment to conservation and education. Through collaboration with the IRD and Nakai Nam Theun National Park, we aim to create a local model for sustainable development in Laos,” Rupp said.
The center’s location in proximity to the Nakai Nam Theun National Park provides a unique opportunity for hands-on learning and research in a diverse and ecologically important area.
Rupp also called upon all stakeholders to join forces in supporting CIREN’s mission.
“By working together, we can strengthen Laos’ scientific community and learn more about the country’s rich biodiversity,” he said.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the collaboration among various sectors to enhance science and technology cooperation in Laos. This is evident in the establishment of the International Centre for Environmental Research and Education, which will serve as a training center for scientists and students, as well as a research hub to provide information to the communities. On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Sports and all Lao sectors, I hope that we will continue to collaborate in scientific research and organize joint activities,” Phout Simmalavong, Minister of Education and Sports.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/10/23/french-national-research-institute-for-sustainable-development-nam-theun-2-inaugurate-centre-for-environmental-research-education/