MICE - A New Paradigm for

Tourism

8th UNWTO Asia/Pacific Executive Training

Program on Tourism Policy and Strategy

Bali, 28 April to 1 May 2014.

• Laos has great tourism

potential based on its

excellent cultural, natural

and historical assets.

Existing forest cover is 53%,

with 24 National Protected

Areas harboring a wealth of

biodiversity and globally

important species.

• There is the Mekong River and its tributaries, beautiful scenery,

archaeological sites and distinctive Lao arts and heritage

There are 49 hospitable ethnic groups with diverse

lifestyles, cultural practices and customs living

together in peace and harmony.

TOURISM STATISTICS LAO P D R

2008 Million $

2009 Million $

2010 Million $

2011 Million $

2012 Million $

2013 Million $

275.51 267.70 381.66 406.18 513.57 595.90

0

500000

1000000

1500000

2000000

2500000

3000000

3500000

4000000

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Top Ten Tourist

Generating Countries

Countries 2012 People 2013 People

Thailand 1,937,612 2,059,434

Vietnam 705,596 910,164

China 199,857 199,857

USA 53,380 61,608

France 46,903 52,411

Japan 42,026 48,644

UK 35,694 41,741

Korea 53,829 81,799

Australia 33,878 35,450

Germany 23,417 29,250

Type

of Tourists

2011

(Days)

2012

(Days)

2013

(Days)

All Types 4.50 4.50 5.20

International Tourists

7.0 7.2 8.4

Regional Tourists 2.0 2.0 2.0

Accommodation and

Restaurant Statistics

Type 2012 2013 Total Number of Hotels 468 429 Total number of Guesthouses 1,562 1,760 Total Number of Room s 35,857 41,033 Total number of Beds 47,394 52,351 Total number of Restaurants 1,276 1,760

2010 2011 2012 2013

Number of travel agents 189 236 275 290

Number of branch travel agents 77 74 75 75

Tourist Attraction

Statistics

Type of Attraction Number

Natural Attraction 1.042

Cultural Attraction 501

Historical Attraction 264

World Heritage Sites 2

Total 1,807

Policy of Lao Government on Tourism

Development

The Lao Government has placed tourism as 1 of 11 priority sectors to contribute to country’s socio -economic development;

National Tourism Development Plan(1998)

National Tourism Marketing Plan (1999)

National Tourism Development Strategy (2012 to 2020)

Introduction of MICE Industry in Country

History of MICE industry in country in 2004 Lao

PDR hosted the ATF 2004 and 2013 in Vientiane

Capital

Seagame 2009, AIPO 2012, ASEMP 2013

Current state of MICE in country

handicraft Exhibition Festival and Meeting

every year,

Market Priorities – which of the M, I, C and E is

most important to your country, and why? (M

and E)

Introduction of MICE Industry in Country

Do you have a national MICE Strategy? No

Supporting agencies of MICE and their roles

Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism

Ministry of Foreign Affaires, Protocol Depart

Lao Government Office

Lao Handicraft Association

Lao Hotel and Restaurant Association

Lao Association of Travel Agents

Introduction of MICE Industry in Country

What resources and campaigns are

undertaken to promote your country as a

destination for international MICE events.

Venues: Vientiane (Lao ITEC, ICTC,

National Convention Hall......Hotels.....)

Introduction of MICE Industry in Country

Benefits of MICE for country

estimate ½ of income of tourist arrival to

Laos

employment in the country

improving of quality services

MICE Destination Promotion by country

What resources and campaigns are

undertaken to promote your country as a

destination for international MICE events.

Based on the researcher report for Luang

Prabang Province, Vientiane Capital,

Vientiane Province Champasak Province

, and Savannakhet province as

destination for MICE of country

MICE Capacity Building

What initiatives and programmes are

undertaken by your country to ensure

service, product and overall development

in the MICE industry?

National University of Laos, Private

Colleges also including MICE subject in to

their curriculum

MICE training supported by ASEAN, GMS

ADB and UNWTO

Current challenges affecting MICE in country

lack of National Development plan for

MICE industry(MICE Destination Promotion by

country)

Lack of infrastructure to provide for MICE

industry insufficient of human resource

development in MICE

Human resource development and MICE

still new for the country

Lack of budget

Country logo

SOMXAY SIPASEUTH

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TOURISM PLANNING AND

DEVELOPMENT DIVISION,

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, CULTURE AND TOURISM

SOMXAYS@HOTMAIL.COM

SOMXAYS777@GMAIL.COM

Thank You