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SUSTAINABILITY
HERE AT
LAST!
The SUSTOUR Laos project has officially launched! TEXT BY XAIYKHAMLA MALIYA PHOTOGRAPHS BY PLAN INTERNATIONAL
above: Travelife Engagement Event at The Grand Hotel, Luang Prabang Province on Febuary 3 2022
O
n December 15, 2021, the project, “Supporting Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Lao Tourism Industry Supply Chain to Access Markets for Sustainable Practices Project”, or SUSTOUR Laos for short, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) to begin implementation of activities in 11 districts across Luang
Prabang Province, Vientiane Province, and Vientiane Capital. The SUSTOUR Laos project is funded by the European Union and implemented by Plan International Laos in cooperation with the Department of Trade Promotion of MoIC, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), and the European Centre for Ecological and Agricultural Tourism (ECEAT). Ultimately, this project aims to improve the sustainability of the Lao tourism industry by integrating local businesses into the tourism supply chain through the promotion and certification of sustainable business practices. Adoption of sustainable practices for primary tourism businesses – travel agents, tour operators, and accommodations – will be certified and awarded by the Travelife certification standard developed by ECEAT
