Luxury hotels and resorts in Laos, particularly in Luang Prabang Province, are raising concerns over tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid debts by Focus Asia, a prominent destination management company. Despite years of collaboration and trust-building, the company has allegedly failed to honor financial commitments made to its hospitality partners in Laos.

Sources suggest that the company currently owes upwards of USD 40,000 to more than 20 different hotels in Luang Prabang, including notable establishments such as Le Bel Air (USD 11,264), Villa Malay Boutique (USD 5,399), The Luang Say Lodge and Vat Phou Cruises (USD 12,652), and The Grand Luang Prabang (USD 3,810).

Established in 2009, Focus Asia solidified credit lines with various luxury hotels in Luang Prabang, allowing the company to manage expenses for tour groups visiting the area. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck Laos in early 2020, forcing the closure of tourist hotspots and halting international travel, the hospitality industry faced unprecedented challenges. As borders shut down and tourism ground to a halt, Focus Asia, like many other operators, sought to postpone payments to its hotel and restaurant partners. 

“At this time, Focus Asia will need to delay paying any invoices from previous tours for the time being. However, our business is still alive. We are not closing any of our offices, and our operation will continue as usual. We have several projects in the pipeline, and once the business returns, Focus Asia and our sister companies shall be ready. As soon as the situation improves, we start again with our payments as usual,” read a letter titled Focus Asia Group – Letter to Suppliers ALL Countries, signed by Executive Board Member Marc Seiver on 19 March 2020.

However, despite the resumption of activities, Focus Asia allegedly failed to pay.

We have all been badly affected by Covid crisis and are inclined to support each other by offering payment flexibility to our partners, as long as we maintain transparent communication, which in this case they failed to do,” Baptiste Cabarry, General Manager of Villa Malay Boutique in Luang Prabang, told The Laotian Times.

Reports indicate that despite financial constraints, Focus Asia continued its marketing endeavors and even launched new ventures during the pandemic, neglecting overdue payments to local businesses. 

“Focus Asia has never answered any of our emails or phone calls, either from the Lao branch or their head office in Vietnam. We knew however they were receiving clients as we contacted them on an alternative email account and pretended to be guests in search of a tour organizer (in this case, we have received their answer),”  Cabarry explained.

“Despite these financial challenges, Focus Asia continued their marketing efforts and even developed new brands during the pandemic, indicating that they were utilizing funds – which rightfully belonged to others – for promotional activities,” said Thatsanyvanh Luanglath, another hotel owner and operator in Champasack and Oudomxay Province.

Efforts by hotel owners and operators to reach out to Focus Asia have reportedly gone unanswered, with communication abruptly ceasing. The situation exacerbated when Focus Asia terminated its operations on 25 November, 2021, only to be succeeded by Travel Indochina Lao Co., Ltd, a new enterprise operated by Mark Seiver, established on 5 July, 2022.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/01/26/tour-operator-focus-asia-under-fire-for-unpaid-debts-to-luxury-hotels-in-laos/

The agreement to further commit to enhancing energy trade came as Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone met with Cambodia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Keo Rattanak, during his visit to the country on 13 January.

Laos currently supplies energy to Cambodia via a 115-kilovolt transmission line between Champasack Province, in Laos, and Stung Treng Province, in Cambodia. With the implementation of the new 500-kilovolt line, the transfer of energy is expected to become more efficient.

At present, Cambodia imports around 445 MW of electricity from Laos, with the aim of reaching 6,000 MW by 2030. The country currently imports 25 percent of its electricity from Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.

The push for further electricity trade between the two nations emerges as Laos positions itself to become the “battery of Southeast Asia,” while Cambodia enhances efforts to meet electricity demand as the economy rapidly expands.

As of 2022, Laos has 94 power plants, including 81 hydroelectric dams, with a total installed capacity of more than 11,600 MW. By 2039, the country expects to generate an additional 5,559 MW of electricity, with 77.59 percent of the capacity coming from hydropower.

Although Laos relies heavily on electricity from hydropower dams, the country is also integrating other forms of renewable energy.

On 9 November 2023, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone officially inaugurated the Monsoon Wind Power Project in Sekong Province. Upon completion, the project will be the largest wind farm in SEA and will have a capacity of 600 MW. 

The initiative, which is to be implemented in mountainous areas of Dak Cheung district, consists of 133 turbines, which will be spread over 1,000 hectares of concession land in Sekong Province. The project is set to be completed by December 2025.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/01/19/battery-of-southeast-asia-plans-move-forward-as-laos-enhances-trade-capacity-with-cambodia/

The move comes as the railway operator aims to accommodate the expected increase in tourists this year, aligning with the launch of the Visit Laos 2024 tourism campaign.

The Laos-China Railway (LCR) has become an integral part of transportation within the country, helping Laos transition from land-locked to “land-linked.”

Since its inauguration in late 2021, the Laos-China Railway (LCR) has played a pivotal role in transforming Laos from a land-locked nation to a “land-linked” one. Over the past year, the railway has witnessed substantial growth, carrying over 3.1 million passengers, with an average daily ridership of 4,889 passengers and a peak ridership of 10,917 people.

In response to the increased demand for rail travel, the LCR has proactively taken steps to enhance its services. The railway saw a remarkable 103.7 percent increase in passenger traffic in 2023, with over 1.75 million passengers traveling from January to September.

To improve efficiency and accommodate the growing demand, the company introduced a new electric multiple-unit (EMU) train and launched an app for Android and IOS for ticket purchasing.

Beyond domestic transport within Laos, the LCR has successfully connected Vientiane Capital, Laos, to Kunming, the capital of southwest China’s Yunnan province, in April last year. 

In late 2023, the rail operator also launched the route between Vientiane Capital and Beijing, the capital of China. The round trip between Vientiane and Beijing now takes up to 15 days, and covers an approximate distance of 3,660 km.

In addition to facilitating passenger travel, the Laos-China Railway has become a key player in the transportation of goods between neighboring countries. Notably, the railway has contributed to a surge in fruit exports from Thailand to China, reducing transit times to less than 15 hours compared to the previous two-day journey by road.

Thailand’s Tourism Authority has also incorporated the LCR into its 2024 strategic direction, which aims to prioritize overland travel via the Laos-China Railway to enhance connectivity and boost tourism between Laos, China, and Thailand.

As part of the Visit Laos Year 2024 campaign, the Lao government aims to attract over 2.7 million international tourists throughout the year, with a targeted revenue generation of USD 401 million.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/01/23/laos-china-railway-boosts-daily-trips-in-preparation-of-tourism-surge/

As the trend of dispersed tourism rises, Don Det, an island in Champasak Province’s Si Phan Don archipelago, is gaining recognition as a top destination amid the serene Mekong River waters.

Booking.com’s recent report positions Don Det at the 7th spot among emerging international and domestic destinations searched by Asia-Pacific (APAC) travelers, placing it alongside Spain’s Camarinas, especially for those who seek elevated rest and relaxation.

In southern Laos, Don Det is famous for its slow pace, stunning landscapes, and commitment to preserving traditional lifestyles. As more people turn to travel as a stress reliever, 66 percent of respondents in Booking.com’s research aim for uninterrupted relaxation in 2024, and Don Det is an ideal destination for those seeking tranquility.

The growing trend of dispersed tourism is emerging as many have begun searching for ways to escape noisy big cities and indulge themselves in a silent space accompanied by a cozy ambiance at least for a few hours or a day, to self-reflect and be surrounded by natural scenery. 

Offering those options has made APAC tourists seek out Don Det, as the island is a peaceful getaway where relaxation is valued. Yet, visitors can also enjoy various activities to soak in its captivating atmosphere.

Options include cycling around the island, observing the laid-back lifestyles, or taking an affordable tour to see Li Fi Falls. Exploring the Angkor-era ruins of Wat Phu in Champasak, while not as grand as Angkor Wat, is a unique experience with its hillside setting and fewer crowds.

Travelers can conveniently reach Don Det by taking a 2.5-hour bus ride from Pakse, a district in Champasak Province, for those journeying from Vientiane Capital, a 10-hour bus ride to Pakse precedes the final leg of the journey to this idyllic island.

Laos is becoming a peaceful choice for travelers seeking an authentic experience, moving away from crowded tourist spots. The rise of dispersed tourism emphasizes visiting less-known, especially rural, areas where the focus is on the beauty of nature.

The popularity of Laos as a distinguished destination for tourists around the globe can be attributed, in part, to international media coverage from renowned publications such as Australian Travel Publication, National Geographic, CNN, Wanderlust, and Fodor’s, which have highlighted Laos as a must-visit destination.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/12/28/don-det-emerges-as-a-tranquil-haven-for-stressed-travelers/