Symposium for Developing the North-South Economic Corridor

Kunming, Yunnan, Province, PRC 19-20 May, 2011

Inthy Deuansavanh
Founder of Green Discovey Laos

Developing Sustainable Outdoor Tourism in Laos

The Green Discovery Approach

Copyright Green Discovery LaosTM The Content of this presentation are confidential and can not be used, reproduced or diffused without prior authorization from Green Discovery LaosTM

Who is GREEN DISCOVERY

Green Discovery Laos is Laos' pioneer in

Adventure Travel since 2000. GDL

offers more than 150 tour programs all around the country, involving:

The views expressed in this paper/presentation are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. Terminology used may not necessarily be consistent with ADB official terms.

Who is GREEN DISCOVERY

Outdoor Activities
Whitewater activities like rafting, kayaking and canoeing, Rock climbing, Trekking, Zip-lining, Mountain biking,

Who is GREEN DISCOVERY

GDL also offers tailor-made programs:

Educational excursions (study tours), Wildlife watching and orchid appreciation, Elephant caravans (Elephant Adventures) Incentive and team-building tours and also TV Crews and other professionals (tour fixing and logistics)

GREEN DISCOVERY Marketing / Origin of Clients

Ranking According to Inquiries

The main markets are Europe, North America & Australia
USA, Great Britain, Australia France, Germany, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Belgium , Singapore, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, Spain, others While the regional market is only marginal Malaysia, China, Vietnam, Thailand

GREEN DISCOVERY Business Partnerships

Regional Partner Companies

Partners in: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Yunnan (PRC)
Further overseas partner companies in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Great Britain, Denmark

Bookings mainly classical and occasional motorbike or caravan tours, however rarely adventure and nature trips, the core business of Green Discovery

NSEC impacts

Sensible increase of Number of tourists in the Luang Namtha province

2006: 2010:

2200 Clients for GDL 4200 Clients for GDL

(2 other operators in LNT) (12 other operators in LNT)

100% increase in 4 years for GDL only

NSEC impacts

New market for GDL

Spending has jump from around $30 $to $65 per person for an eco-tourism excursion Mainly because clients are staying longer as it takes less time to commute. GDL now operates more 2 to 5 day excursions, and less 1 day. Also: better quality tourists: GDL office is going away from pure backpacking market. Clients are older than in 2006 with higher incomes only 10% older than 45 yrs in 2006, 22% in 2010 !. Motivation is still to go in remote places (off the beaten track) and meet tribes (90% of survey), but less adventurous, more comfort is required, and higher expectation for a memorable experience.

NSEC impacts

New risks for GDL as an eco-tourism operator

Fact: GDL had to close 5 treks in 2010 because the forest has disappeared! Corridors obviously generates more economical activities with the risk of a fast depletion of the untouched landscape. The places become less remote, contradicting therefore the first destination motivation of ecotourists. Fast increase in number of operators, not always abiding to the principles of eco-tourism.

NSEC impacts

Mitigation and GDL strategy in the area:

Increase quality of services to better serve new coming market Better training of guides and add more educational value to excursions, with more interaction with local population. Provide more comfortable accommodation and transport to sites.. Keep on creating new route further away from current used zone and try to get exclusivity on concessions to preserve the interest of the exploited zone Quality serves better than volume

GREEN DISCOVERY Other plans around corridors

Other opportunities for GDL

GDL can includes these provinces more easily to Laos or Northern Laos packages

Possibility to create more activities with:

o Overland Caravan tours, o Motorbike or Cycling tours, o Sport challenges (like Marathon or
cross country cycling)

Thank You

Thank you!