Tourism in Lao PDR is presently flourishing. Like some other key players in Laos’ tourism industry, Duangmala Phommavong, Managing Director of EXO Travel Laos, had to make plenty of hard decisions throughout the journey.
Thanks to her hard work, EXO Travel Laos is now in a prime position to benefit from the post-pandemic rebound. Her solid relationship with Lao PDR tourism stakeholders and her strong advocacy for domestic tourism has prepared her to handle the even bigger challenge of rising international in-bound travel – over 1.6 million foreign tourists visited the country in the first half of 2023, up from 42,197 visits in the same period last year.
We asked Ms. Phommavong to tell the story of EXO Travel’s experience in the past few years – and how the company does its part to foster resilient, sustainable and inclusive tourism through its work.
How did EXO Travel adjust to changing circumstances during the COVID pandemic? What actions did you prioritise during the pandemic, to save the tourism industry or prevent long-lasting damage?
Our first and most unfortunate action was having to furlough a great majority of our employees, keeping only a core team in hibernation. This was essential for us to sustain our business in the long term, not knowing at the time how long the crisis would last.
Once the first lockdown in Lao PDR was overcome, we identified a great need from the locals and expats to travel within the country. We were very fortunate to be able to jump on this opportunity before other agencies. We partnered immediately, thanks to our strong relationship with our partners throughout the country, with Lao Airlines and hotels to provide reasonable and easily accessible tour packages.
This format worked extremely well, and even if our margins were very low, it allowed our team to remain active and partners to stay afloat during this unprecedented period.
What was the impact of the COVID pandemic to Lao PDR tourism overall?
It was very bad for the tourism sector and economy in Lao PDR, so we have still not yet recovered until now. Getting back to normal is really slow in general, due to many issues that existed even before the pandemic – like no direct flight from Europe, no strong brand to promote.
How does EXO Travel promote sustainable travel – in terms of travel destinations, activities, and day-to-day practices?
EXO Travel was the first Travelife certified DMC (Destination Management Company) in Lao PDR, and we are now working towards the B-Corp certification. Our aim is to provide travel with PURPOSE, Lasting Positive Impacts through travel, benefiting the entire supply chain (our people, our community, our partners, culture, heritage, environment) and maintaining the industry’s sustainability for the generations to come.
Our involvement and actions are vast but here are some examples:
- Carbon offsetting our products, trips and offices
- Providing an array of products that are nature positive, empowering communities, enhancing cultural heritage
- Supporting locally-owned businesses (hotels, restaurants, etc.)
- Assessing human rights and child protection
- Protecting the environment and wildlife (no plastic policy, animal welfare)
How do EXO Travel’s itineraries in Lao PDR bring your guests in close contact with the local culture? What good examples of cultural encounters do your itineraries try to arrange for guests?
I believe it is good to remember that we don’t opt for products or partners that do not align with our core Purpose. All of our products we offer in Lao PDR are responsible and sustainable in a way or another. For a country as small as Laos, it is a necessity to preserve the industry that we remain in this mindset.
Here are a few examples of local encounters that we actively promote to our agents:
- The Pottery House Private Course (Morning), Half Day Tour in Ban Chan Village, Luang Prabang
- Bamboo For Life Evening Tour at Luang Prabang
- Chef Somsack’s Morning Market Stroll Half Day Tour at the market in the historical center of Luang Prabang
What is the state of travel infrastructure in Lao PDR now? How has it improved over the past few years, and what improvements need to be done still?
Railway and highspeed train are the highlight of the travel infrastructure, and it’s changed a lot for visitors to have more time on site and not spend too much time on transport from one city to another. At the same time, some routes and airports still need to be improved.
How are you collaborating with government and other players in the private sector to improve tourism infrastructure and practices in Lao PDR? What public-private partnership initiatives were you promoting in Lao PDR?
After 20 years, we are seeing the result of collaboration between public and private sector – specifically during the period of pandemic, as the government called private sector to be involved in every measure put in place, or join discussions to modify or remove any measures when they’re not needed anymore.
The success of the campaign Lao Thiao Lao to promote domestic market travel inside the country during the lockdown, and help the tourism sector continue to operate, created some employment. Testing of the Travel Green Zone was a success, and results of continuing discussions on the creation of National Tourism Promotion and Marketing Board will be announced soon.
In your opinion, what destinations in Lao PDR show the most long-term promise for travelers?
Laos still has many unseen destinations – including sites like Luang Prabang, Plains of Jars, Vat Phou in Champasak, Vang Vieng and the northern part of the country for nature and minorities’ way of life and culture.
During the COVID pandemic, new products came out to respond to what people were looking for: activities in adventure/sport involving nature and not too many tourists. Luxurious places like Namkat Yor Lapa in Oudomxay become popular for both domestic and international visitors quite fast; the same owner also opened a new site in Vientiane Capital called Nam Pien Yor Lapa.
In the central part of Laos, Inthira group developed a new product called The Rock View, Phupha Man in Khammuan province, and this kind of product will be continue to developed as demand grows.
As a Lao PDR travel entrepreneur, what is on your wish list for the Lao PDR tourism sector? What would you like to see in the future (whether it’s actions by government sector, or private-sector initiatives, or cross-border partnerships)?
My dream would be to see a fruitful partnership at every level, as tourism is something special that needs to be develop in harmony [with other sectors]. Even as the authenticity of each destination may be different, we should still respect, protect, connect to each other as a community to help other destinations.
For more information on EXO Travel Laos’ tour packages, visit their website.
