Mrs Darany Phommavongsa (ninth left) and Lao business operators display Tourism Standard Awards at the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Johor, Malaysia.

Lao businesses pick up 19 ASEAN Tourism Standard Awards

Tourism businessess from across Laos received 19 ASEAN Tourism Awards, announced at the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Johor, Malaysia.
Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Mrs Darany Phommavongsa presented the ASEAN Tourism Standard Awards to business representatives on Monday.
Awards were given for excellence in the Homestay, Community Based Tourism, Spa, and Public Toilet categories.
Of the 30 ASEAN Homestay Standard awards presented, Laos received four, which went to Naduang village in Vangvieng district, Vientiane province; Donekho village in Sanasomboun district; Done Daeng village in Pathoumphon district; and Nongluang village in Pakxong district, Champassak province.
This category of the ASEAN tourism awards was introduced in 2016. The scheme aims to encourage and commend guesthouse operators, especially village residents who provide such services, and public and private sectors in ASEAN member countries who have demonstrated success in this field of work.
The results of assessments carried out are used as a measurement tool and a reference for determining future plans and identifying issues that need to be improved.
In the ASEAN Community Based Tourism Standard category, 41 awards were presented in total, with Laos picking up five. These were for wildlife viewing in the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park in Huameuang district, Huaphan province; Thapaen village in Luang Prabang city and province; Sanghai village in Pak Ou district, Luang Prabang province; Konglor village in Khounkham district, Khammuan province; and Nalanneua village in Luang Namtha district and province.
This category was introduced in 2018, to encourage and commend community-based tourism operators, especially village residents and public and private sectors in ASEAN member countries who have provided outstanding services in this field.
The award aims to encourage tourism operators to protect environmental, natural, cultural and historical tourism resources, use environmentally friendly products, and create jobs for people in community-based tourism activity areas.
In the ASEAN Spa Services Standard category, 42 awards were presented, with five going to spas in Laos. These were the spa at the Amantaka hotel in Luang Prabang province, the Senses spa in the Crowne Plaza Vientiane, BanLao Spa at MyBanLao Hotel in Luang Prabang province, Mekong spa at the Phouvao Hotel in Luang Prabang province, and the Dala spa in Vientiane.
This category was launched in 2019, to encourage spa operators in ASEAN member countries to improve the quality of their services by complying with set standards, using environmentally friendly products, creating jobs, and using locally made products.
ASEAN Public Toilet Standard awards were presented to 41 ASEAN locations. Five entities in Laos received awards in this category, namely Nong Sa Phang Lenh Park in Vientiane; Xieng Thong Temple in Luang Prabang province; Mountain View cafe and restaurant in Luang Namtha district; Tad Yeuang waterfall in Pakxong district, Champassak province; and Tham Non and Tham Nang Far caves in Vangvieng district, Vientiane province.
This award was introduced in 2019 to encourage good design and operation, sound environmental management, well-functioning equipment and facilities, cleanliness, and safety. This is aimed at ensuring visitors to ASEAN countries can use public toilets in comfort.
Laos also received 10 other awards, which will be presented to the recipients next month.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update January 22, 2025)