Reinhard Hohler
A one-day workshop in Luang Prabang was jointly organized
by Lao Airlines and Villa Santi Hotel and Resort. Khammouane Siphanthong,
general manager of the resort at the outskirts of Luang Prabang welcomed the
participants to Summer Package 2004.
A
small cobblestone alley in the town of Luang Prabang.
The summer packages aim to promote Lao tourism (and
revenue) during the low or rainy season, as well as to raise awareness
within the international travel market. Luang Prabang will be actively
promoted as one of the most unspoiled and relaxed destinations to explore
and to discover the original lifestyle of Laos.
According to the Summer Schedule 2004 of Lao Airlines
from March 28 - October 27 there are the following options:
1. Vientiane-Luang Prabang-Vientiane three times daily
2. Chiang Mai-Luang Prabang-Chiang Mai three times weekly
3. Bangkok-Vientiane-Luang Prabang-Vientiane-Bangkok
daily
4. Hanoi-Vientiane-Luang Prabang-Vientiane-Hanoi daily
5. Siem Reap-Vientiane-Luang Prabang-Vientiane-Siem Reap
three times weekly
6. Phnom Penh-Vientiane-Luang Prabang-Vientiane-Phnom
Penh daily
7. Kunming-Vientiane-Luang Prabang-Vientiane-Kunming two
times weekly
With this ambitious schedule, Lao Airlines will emerge as
the airline of the Mekong region and will facilitate the access to Luang
Prabang from nearby cities in the neighboring countries.
Luang
Prabang at the Mekong River will be promoted to attract foreign visitors to
Laos.
The Summer Package 2004, scheduled from April 1 -
September 30, will certainly attract an increasing number of visitors and
with competitive prices featuring roundtrip air tickets with two nights
accommodation in a deluxe room at the Villa Santi Hotel and Resort including
breakfast and airport transfers in Luang Prabang.
Dramatic
limestone scenery at Ban Muang Ngoi at the Nam Ou River.
What is there for the tourist to do during the stay in
Luang Prabang? Besides the many attractions in and near Luang Prabang, there
are two destinations to reach if you want to jump on the bandwagon of
eco-tourism: Excursion to Ban Muang Ngoi - imagine a place where there are
no roads, cars or motorcycles and you can enjoy the village life surrounded
by fantastic limestone mountains reached by an hour’s boat cruise on the
Nam Ou River. To get there, take a ‘song taew’ taxi from the Northern
Bus Terminal in Luang Prabang to Nong Khiow which is 140 kilometers away on
National Route 1 to Xam Nua. From there, take a boat on the Nam Ou River
upstream. For bungalow accommodation, Ning Ning Guesthouse is recommended.
Picturesque
sunset at the Namxong River in Vang Vieng.
Secondly, an excursion to Vang Vieng - this is one of the
best known places to enjoy cycling, kayaking and spelunking. To get there,
take a comfortable overland bus from the Southern Bus Station in Luang
Prabang some 230 kilometers on National Route 13 south to Vientiane. Despite
some counterproductive travel advisories, the road is safe. Besides some
budget accommodation, the Namxong Hotel is highly recommended.
To quote Miss Pany Saignavong, Marketing Advisor for Lao
Airlines, “Don’t miss out on this very attractive and unique Summer
Package 2004 to learn more about the unique beauty of Lao hospitality.”
For further information, contact GMS Media Travel Consultant Reinhard
Hohler by email: sara@cmnet.co.th
