First ASEAN Ecotourism Forum to be Held in Pakse Laos

Pakse, Champasak (Laos PDR) – June 20, 2016 (travelindex.com) – The ASEAN Ecotourism Forum 2016 organised by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Lao PDR in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat and the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is poised to be one of ASEAN’s most important forum on ecotourism. The Forum will deliberate on the theme “ASEAN Without Borders: Roadmap for Strategic Development of Ecotourism Clusters and Tourism Corridors” of which the most important recommendations and resolutions will be incorporated in the “Pakse Declaration on ASEAN Roadmap for Strategic Development of Ecotourism”.

A Tourism Ministerial Round Table will convene to discuss and endorse the Pakse Declaration of which will reflect on our common aspirations to integrate the region’s ecotourism destinations resonating with Lao PDR’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2016 with the theme of “Turning Vision into Reality for a Dynamic ASEAN Community”. Most important forum in the development and advancement of ecotourism in the ASEAN region.

Lao PDR as Chair of ASEAN Ecotourism Community (AEC) 2016, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT) will stage this prestigious forum from 22-25 June 2016 bringing together eminent speakers and high profile delegates from the 10 member countries to discuss and endorse an ambitious Declaration for a roadmap for the development of ecotourism that traverses the entire ASEAN region.

The Forum will feature over 20 speakers, moderators and panelists and 300 delegates from the 10 member countries. The event is fully hosted by the Lao Government for ASEAN tourism industry players which includes the forum proceedings, meals, airport transfers, tours and a 1 night stay at the Si Phan Don Wetlands Area.

Delegates from over 30 countries as well as former Ambassadors will be arriving at the Pakse international airport from 20 to 23 June for the high level regional tourism industry event attended by Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Ministerial representatives of the 10 ASEAN Member Countries for a historic Ministerial Roundtable to adopt the Pakse Declaration that will lead to an ASEAN roadmap for strategic development of ecotourism clusters and tourism corridors.

Such ambitious undertaking will require the concerted efforts of all ASEAN Member States as well as the support and expertise of provincial authorities, consultants, ground operators and funding institutions. Under the aegis of the ASEAN Charter and in the spirit of ASEAN, tourism ministry officials, investors, researchers, practitioners and experts are encouraged to actively participate and contribute in this Forum and be part of the legacy and the transformation of this mega-biodiverse region to the most dynamic and prosperous ecotourism region in the world.

Contact information:
ASEAN Ecotourism Forum 2016
Room 406, 4th Floor, Tourism Building
Lane Xang Avenue, Vientiane, Lao PDR
Tel: +856 30 582 4071
Fax: +856 21 217 910
Email: aeflaos2016@gmail.com
Web: www.aef2016laos.com

Mrs Phonemaly Inthaphome
Deputy Director-General
Tourism Development Department
Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism
Lao PDR

Ms Phonemany Soukhathammawong
Deputy Director
Tourism Planning & Development Division
Tourism Development Department
Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism
Lao PDR