Laos Selected as World Best Tourist Destination

Vientiane (Laos PDR) – May 10, 2013 – European Council on Tourism and Trade has decided to award WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD FOR 2013 and FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATIONS to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the council posted on its website on May 3.

On 26th of April 2013 in a public seance of the European Council on Tourism and Trade, gathering representatives of tourism organizations from European continent debated the list of candidates for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION for 2013.

On the debate for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD FOR 2013 Prof. Dr. Anton Caragea , President of the European Union Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) presented a report titled: LAOS: A TOURISTIC AND CULTURAL PARADISE proposing LAOS as the winner of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013.

Among the reasons for awarding WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013 to LAOS the report outlined:

– Promoting a new concept of community based tourism, friendly to nature, with low ecological impact and preservation of natural biodiversity and protection of endangered species and areas, especially rainforest eco-climate.

– Offering to tourists not only a historical and outstanding cultural experience but also the possibility to explore nature, to contribute to ecological preservation and the opportunity to visit extraordinary space such as: Nam Ngum reservoir, Bolaven plateau, Mekong river islands, Mekong river boat trip, Tad Kouangsi waterfall, the cave of de Ting. All this are model of achievements in ecological and green tourism that must be world recognized.

– The preservation of an outstanding historical and cultural patrimony that comprises wonderful sites such as: Wat Phu- a UNESCO World Heritage Site from 12th century, the remarkable site from Plain of Jars, offering an insight into Neolithic civilization and a rare window into traditions of centuries.

-The preservation of religious sites of world significance and value such as: Wat Xieng Thong, one of the most important of world Buddhism monasteries and remains a significant place for the spirit of religion and traditional art. Other sites that must be mentioned such as: Wat Phu (UNESCO heritage site) and Champasak Cultural Landscape (under UNESCO recognition).

After hearing the report, Senator Ionel Agrigoroaiei, from Romanian Parliamentary and Director in European Council on Tourism and Trade had expressed the feeling of all present at the gathering declaring that: LAOS is a strong candidate, with a perfect record of promoting clean, ecological and social oriented tourism and that only a unanimity vote in favor of LAOS could express the European tourism and economic community decisive action in favor of such a world model.

Mr. Mark Doda, representing Balkan countries at the meeting had also stated the desire of peoples of South-East Europe to support a new model of tourism in the present economic climate, a community based tourism on Laos example.

In the end of the debate European Council on Tourism and Trade decided, unanimously, to award WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013 TITLE TO the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and to declare to the country – FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATIONS in 2013.

It was also presented the Official Invitation, on behalf of Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of LAOs for a delegation of European high ranking official of European Council on Tourism and Trade, to present the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD in Vientiane, in person, to His Excellency Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Prof. Dr. BOSENGKHAM VONGDARA.

Awarding the highest tourism distinction of European Council on Tourism and Trade, accepting the invitation for an working visit of high ranking members of European Council on Tourism and Trade in LAOS, are estimated all tourism experts as a good example of close tourism relations and mutual consensus between Europe and Laos, said at the end of the meeting Prof. Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on Tourism and Trade.

Source: KPL Lao News Agency
More on tourism in Laos at www.VisitLaos.org
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