On 1 June, 2013 at the headquarters of European Council on Tourism and Trade the latest issue of European Journal of Tourism has being unveiled.The 8th edition of the European Journal of Tourism is dedicated to LAOS-WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION for 2013.Laos has being unanimously elected as WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION in 2013 for his fabulous historic and civilization legacy and for his outstanding track record for safety of tourism and for ethical and green tourism.Benefiting the legacy of Kingdoms of Lan Xang, Luang Prabang, Champasak etc Laos is rich in temples , palaces and historical places that is quasi unique in the world. Also the rich Buddhist heritage is creating the favorable spot for religious and cultural oriented travel.The latest issue of European journal of Tourism is presenting in extenso the debates hold on the award, the list of competing countries and the long list of reasons for awarding WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD to Laos.Other high-profile articles are dedicated to: the ceremonies held in Vientiane for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD and to the election as member of European Tourism Academy of Minister of Culture, Information and Tourism of Lao PDR, Bosengkham Vongdara.Special highlights of the eight number of European Journal of Tourism are also the visit of the European Council on Tourism and Trade delegation in Laos and the agreements reached on fostering touristic and diplomatic relations between Europe and Laos.Two pages are dedicated to photo chronic`s to showcase the luxurious ceremonies for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2013 held in Laos.European Journal of Tourism is a regular publication of European Council on Tourism and Trade destined to disseminate information`s about World Best Tourist destinations, European tourism statistic, evolution`s, laws, regulations and main event`s.European Journal of Tourism has an average readership for issue of more than 120.000 professional’s that includes the 180 embassies in Europe as well as all major European government institutions, private corporations and the international community at large. As the flagship newspaper of the European tourism community, we are the only publication in the Europe able to reach the tourism highly targeted and lucrative market.Read on-line the LAOS WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013 special issue of EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TOURISM
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On 31 May, 2013 a friendly and cooperation meeting between President of European Council on Tourism and Trade and Ambassador of Federal Republic of Brazil had taken place.Prof. Dr. Anton Caragea express his amicable fillings and friendly interest towards the recent evolutions in Brazil tourism sector. Tourism is consolidating Brazil’s economic development, is supporting the poverty alleviation programs and creates a platform for a higher standard in the world for Brazil.All the changes in Brazilian tourism are witnessed with sympathy and interest in Europe, emphasized Prof.Dr.Anton Caragea.
Friendly meeting between President of European Council on Tourism and Trade and Ambassador of Federal Republic of Brazil
H.E. Brazil Ambassador Raymundo Magno made a presentation of the latest achievements in tourism sector and bilateral relations: opening new hotels, adopting new promotion strategy, adopting a regions development strategy and increasing state support for tourism activities all this are building new bridges of understanding between European Council on Tourism and Trade and Brazil.On this note, Brazil Ambassador present his country candidature for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2014 emphasizing that Brazil wants to be the first country to be presented on the competition as a sign of recent development in tourism.Receiving WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD for 2014 will be a perfect completion of a period of greater international standing for Brazil on world arena. After candidature for World Expo 2020, for football championship and sports game today the candidature for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2014 is part of Brazil strategy of capturing the world imagination, concluded Ambassador Raymundo Magno.The parties had appreciated that between European Council on Tourism and Trade and Brazil are large areas of common interests, designed to forge a good understanding between the two organisms. The European Council on Tourism and Trade- Brazil relationship must be an example for a better relation between Europe and Latin America.If in the last decade the bilateral dialogue with this area was faltering, now it is an auspicious moment for reconstructing and rebuilding this framework of dialogue and friendship.The dialogue had continued on concrete aspects and analyses of economic, tourism, political and cultural bilateral relations and on ways of fostering this dialogue on to the future.Professor dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on Tourism had express his appreciation for Brazil desire to obtain the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD IN 2014 and declared that Brazil is one the most important contenders to the title and have`s a lot of arguments in his favor and this candidature will be reviewed and will be considered in due time with all the attention.The discussion led the foundations of continuing the dialogue and fostering the relations between European Council on Tourism and Trade and Brazil.
On behalf of the Lao government and people, it is my pleasure and delight to welcome all delegates to the presentation ceremony of the World's Best Tourist Destination Award for 2013 to Laos.Today, the Lao government and people are proud and delighted to have received this honourable prize, which demonstrates the great achievements of tourism development in Laos. Laos offers impressive tourist attractions and services for tourists from across the world.
Minister of Culture, Information and Tourism of Lao PDR-Academician Professor dr. Bosengkham Vongdara and European Council on Tourism and Trade high ranking official`s delegation in Vientiane.I would like to take this opportunity to praise and express my sincere gratitude to the European Council on Tourism and Trade and all tourists for highly valuing Lao tourism and selecting Laos as the World's Best Tourist Destination for 2013.I would like, especially, to welcome Prof. Dr Anton Caragea, Chairman of the European Council on Tourism and Trade, and his delegation to Laos to attend the ceremony and present the award.The Lao PDR is diverse in languages, cultures and customs, which have been inherited from our ancestors over thousands of years. The country is rich in spectacular natural resources as well as having a long and civilised history and well-known archaeological sites, which further boosts Laos' tourism potential. With great effort and a high sense of responsibility by the Party and government since the 4th Party Congress in 1986 outlined a comprehensive renovation policy to open up for foreign cooperation, tourism has played an ever more prominent role in the country's socio-economic development. The government has defined policy and taken action to develop and promote cultural, natural and historical tourism. To facilitate the growth of tourism and services, the government has done its utmost to develop infrastructure such as building roads to link all regions across the country as well as connecting with neighbouring countries. Over the past 4-5 years, the government has exerted utmost efforts to increase the number of border checkpoints to integrate with countries in the region and the world at large. At present, the Lao PDR has 23 international checkpoints, of which 21 can issue visas. Laos has four international airports (Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang International Airport, Savannakhet International Airport and Pakxe International Airport). Visas have been exempted for citizens of Asean member countries. Laos has also granted visa exemptions to citizens of Japan, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Russia, Mongolia and Luxembourg. The authorities have redefined that visas issued at checkpoints permit the holders to stay in Laos for 15 days, reduced from 30 days previously. According to Prime Ministerial Order No. 15 issued on June 20, 2006, these visas can be extended by the provincial authorities instead of only by the Vientiane authority as before. In addition, the government grants three-month visas to foreign citizens of Lao origin who acquire visas from Lao embassies, which can be extended for another three months. However, visas issued at border checkpoints grant only a two-month stay with another two months of extension. After implementing the aforesaid tourism development and promotion policy, the tourism sec tor has grown rapidly. From 1990 to 2012, foreign tourist arrivals have risen by an average of 20.36 percent annually. In 2012, Laos registered 3,330,072 foreign tourists generating total revenue as high as US$513,576,784. By 2013 the number of tour operators had risen to 275 companies. Hotels and guesthouses have also increased and in 2012 there were 3,526 hotels and guesthouses offering 35,857 rooms. Laos now has 1,493 official tourist sites comprising 849 sites of natural interest, 435 sites of cultural interest, and 209 historical sites. 
Minister of Culture, Information and Tourism of Lao PDR-Academician Professor dr. Bosengkham Vongdara deleivering acceptance speech for LAOS: WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD IN 2013.The Lao PDR shares similar characteristics with many other countries, such as different and diverse traditions and customs among its multi-ethnic people. There are also impressive archaeological and historical sites such as Luang Prabang, the historic town and living world heritage site, and Vat Phou Champassak, which is another world heritage site dating back to the 12th century. In addition, the historic caves of Viengxay (deemed to be the birthplace of the Lao PDR) have become an open-air museum, while the Plain of Jars is expected to be listed as a world heritage site in the near future. The Lao PDR also has rich and beautiful natural sites suitable for development as ecotourism attractions and green industry without smog or hazardous pollution, which will become new relaxing sites to impress visitors from the region and the world.Community-based eco-tourism programmes have become Laos' unique feature and have great potential because they give visitors the chance to get in touch with and taste nat ure, as well as the everyday life of local people and the customs practised by the Lao multiethnic people. To translate the tourism development strategic plan for 2011-2020, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism in collaboration with provincial authorities have carried out nature-based tourism activities with the participation of local people by making use of the local potential and conditions of each province. Such activities were first initiated in 2000 in Luang Namtha province, called the ‘Community-based Eco-tourism Programme'. Similar programmes now exist in all 17 provinces involving 40 districts and 160 villages, and have generated income directly for local people.
Because of these progressive great achievements of the Lao tourism sector coupled with the impressive progress made in socio-economic development across the country, Laos has been praised by tourists and friendly countries across the world, justified by the fact that Laos has been awarded many honourable and impressive prizes as follows:In 2008, the New York Times named Laos as one of 53 countries it described as the world's top tourist destinations.The world heritage site of Luang Prabang received the Top City Gold Award after being voted the world's top tourist destination by Wanderlust, a UK based travel magazine from 2006 to 2008, and again from 2010 to 2012.The Community-based Eco-tourism Programme in the Nam Ha Protected Forest Area in Luang Namtha province also won an award for ‘best poverty alleviation project' and ‘best services' given by the United Nations Development Programme. And today, we feel proud and honoured that the European Council on Tourism and Trade awards Laos with the World's Best Tourist Destination Award for 2013. This honourable prize will make Laos even more popular among tourists across the globe, and will drive the development of the tourism sector in our country.I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to Professor Dr Anton Caragea, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade, for highly valuing the development of Lao tourism. I agree with his comment that “In the 21st century, tourism has become an important bridge for friendship and relations among nations in the world; it is also a way to promote peace and mutual understanding and lead the way to a good future.”The Lao PDR stands ready to continue to develop the tourism sector to contribute to establishing and enhancing friendly relations among nations in the world to make a joint effort to promote peace and mutual understanding, together entering into the proper future of development under the sky of peace, friendship and sustainable cooperation.On this auspicious occasion, I would like to wish Party and state leaders and honourable Lao and foreign guests participating in this ceremony good health, success in your noble tasks, happiness and prosperity, and further contributions to the tourism development of our country for progressive success.I would like, especially, to wish Professor Dr Anton Caragea and high-level delegates from the European Council on Tourism and Trade good health, success in your noble tasks and happiness, and to further contribute to promoting Lao tourism in Europe and across the globe.
Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,We are here to award to Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, the Honorary Membership of the European Tourism Academy.
He asked me to speak from the heart, not from the books. This is not a “laudatio”, so I do not have to tell you almost anything about the curriculum vitae of Prof. Vongdara. You all know him, and what I can say is that he had an outstanding career as professor, as politician, as a member of the Party and a member of the Executive.We all know how hard and sometimes painful is to increase our knowledge, to become experts in one area or another. Professor Vongdara had the chance to bring his theoretical and practical expertise and knowledge into the politics and executive matters.Tourism is not an easy task. We consider that developing a quality tourism is at the crossroads of many domains of a nation’s life. The fine job done by Prof. Vongdara at the head of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, we consider to be the beginning of a globalization process of Laos tourism, and we hope in the very next future that Laos will become an important actor not only in the ASEAN and in the neighboring areas, but as a world preferred tourist destination.Also from our hearts again congratulations for being awarded the highest tourism prize, the World Best Tourist Destination for 2013 to the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos by The European Council on Tourism and Trade.We are congratulating you Academician Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara the newest member of European Tourism Academy.
Your Excellency Mr. Asang Laoly ,Vice-Prime Minister of Peoples Democratic Republic of Lao, Your Excellency Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith ,Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice-Prime Minister of Peoples Democratic Republic of Lao,Your Excellency`s distinguish members of Government of Peoples Democratic Republic of LaoDistinguish guests ,
We have all gather here to pay homage to an idea and to a country that embodies this idea.The idea is encompass in the simple truth that: in XXI century tourism has become a bridge towards knowledge and friendship between peoples and countries , a way to promote peace and understanding , a road that leads towards a better future.We have also gather here to express our appreciation for a country and a people that will embody in 2013 this triumphant spirit of tourism: the people of Lao.I must re-emphasize that: tourism is in the XXI century, not only a way to enjoy life, to discover new places, new cultures but also a mass phenomenon that combines sightseeing, recreation and health care.Tourism has become, in the world today, an intrinsic value of human life and experience and what I like to call a natural right of all people: the right to move freely, to express freely and to enjoy a life of adventure and discoveries.Undoubtedly, for a country tourism is a constant and serious source of revenue, is becoming an important factor to promote development, to build roads, to offer to people a source of income and employment, a source of prosperity.But, material significance of tourism must not elapse the true value of tourism: as a way for people`s to build bridges of friendship and tolerance , to discover different cultures, ideas and way`s of life, to embrace the beauty of being different .We must also clearly mark that: tourism must be based on a set of values such as nature preservation, cultural and historical patrimony conservation for future generation and exactly for this need we have carved WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD as an international recognition for the country`s that are respecting this values .I must say what a privilege is for our delegation to honor a country that is becoming a WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION.It is also a great pleasure to address our salute to the great people of Lao, a people that had build throughout centuries a perfect civilization, with hundreds of monuments of historical and civilization relevance ,a people that had offered to humanity countless riches: from religious temple and scriptures to literary texts and historical writings .Today, Lao had become a cultural and touristic world power and the main credit belongs, without a doubt, to the great people of Laos, that from 1975 onwards is constructing a life of dignity, liberty and tolerance in a free country.
Today, in a world that rarely accepts and tolerates difference, we come to honor a country of TOLERANCE, in a world crowded with pseudo-culture, without a form and substance , we come today to honor a TRUE CULTURE , in a world that is loosing the true values, we come today the honor a real TOURISTIC VALUE, in a time in which to many speak and do not act for historical sites preservation , we come to honor a PARADISE OF HISTORY , we come to honor the People`s Democratic Republic of LAO .Here, we have all gather to show our support for the values of humanity, of educational and cultural tourism . We are all here in the search for a country that offer to tourists a complete experience , a country that educates spirit, elevates soul and gives everybody a lesson in history and culture.We all have found in LAO the perfect teacher in tourism, offering to all the tourist`s of the world the possibility of a safe, pleasurable and enlightening tourist experience.Among the reasons leading to awarding WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013 title to PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF LAOS our report had taken under consideration:- 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.A name that needs no introduction: the UNESCO heritage site of Luang Prabang, with the gems of Haw Kham and Vat Xieng Toung monastery.I could continue for hours this list of treasures, but I will enumerate just in Vientiane- Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple of the city and the world famous That Luang complex.Today, Lao is offering an open air museum, a rare collection of historical and archeological treasures that educate and enrich the world.- 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).Keeping alive spiritual tradition, integrating tourist`s and visitors in the atmosphere of the Lao people, offering possibility for an enriching cultural experience, are all achievements that transform Peoples Democratic Republic of LAO in a spiritual destination of first hand.- 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.Community based ecotourism is a way to share revenues and income, to support rural communities in prospering and presenting there foodstuff and handicrafts to the world and to make the base for an economic local development. Sharing tourism benefits to all the population, offering a social tourism it is a lesson that Lao is offering to the world.Supporting Lao community tourism project as a way to spread wealth, it is a duty for everybody and one of the main reason for portraying Laos as a world example of democratic tourism , a tourism that is not only offering benefits to the rich, but to all people. Lao example must be appreciated and supported , and all tourist that are going to Lao must know that an investment in Lao tourism is an investment in the future of Lao people.- 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 continuous development and protection of cultural and historical patrimony of Peoples Democratic Republic of LAO, the transformation of Vientiane in a historical and spiritual center offering to the visitor a glimpse into rich culture and heritage of peoples of Lao.For all this reasons, among many others, European Council on Tourism and Trade decided, unanimously, to award WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013 title to PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF LAOS and to declare PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF LAOS- FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION in 2013.This title is an international recognition of Your work for Peoples Democratic Republic of LAO until today, in the service of history and civilization, tourism and culture , in the service of the people of LAO, but is also a challenge because now we are expecting your services in the future benefit of the world culture and tourism.May this award be transformed in a support for developing the international standing of Peoples Democratic Republic of LAO , for a sustainable tourism and development and in a base for further success for SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL - Peoples Democratic Republic of LAO .Is my privileged to award Your Excellency, as representative of tourism of PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF LAOS the award for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013 .We congratulate You and people of Peoples Democratic Republic of LAO for this outstanding achievements.
On 8 of March 2012 the taking office protocol and presentation meeting between Prof. Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on Tourism and Trade and H.E. Faouz El Achchabi, Ambassador of Kingdom of Morocco in Romania had taken place.
Prof.dr.Anton Caragea express his heart felted congratulation on the occasion of beginning of mandate of H.E Faouz El Achchabi, appreciating that between Europe and Morocco there is a long history of economic and political cooperation and a large area of common interests , designed to forge a good understanding between the two nations .The European- Morocco relationship has the ability to become an example of building an economic and cultural exchange area between Romania and North Africa.Unfortunately in the last decade, the bilateral dialogue with this area was faltering, but now it is an auspicious moment for reconstructing and rebuilding this framework of dialogue and friendship, as the level of bilateral expectations is greater and the political and economic will for this favorable expansion of activities is clearly marked.H.E. Mrs. Faouz El Achchabi had expressed here appreciation for the encouragement`s offered by prof.dr.Anton Caragea and had stated that the vision of a economic, tourism, politic and cultural special relationship between Europe and Morocco is a common shared vision.The dialogue had continued on concrete aspects and analyses of economic, political and cultural bilateral relations and on ways of fostering this dialogue on to the future.The main topics had concentrated on increasing the bilateral trade volume, expanding tourist liaisons and fully exploiting Morocco special tourist potential and organizing information trip for European tour operators interested in being present on Morocco tourist market, cooperating in presenting Morocco leisure real estate opportunities and re-launching the cultural exchanges.The amicable dialogue concentrated also on the possibility of organizing tourism events destined to mark the 50 years of bilateral diplomatic relations and also to present to European public the democratic and economic progresses registered by Kingdom of Morocco in the last span of time.H.E. Mrs. Faouz El Achchabi took the opportunity to present a file of candidature for Kingdom of Morocco for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD.The dialogue led the foundations of a successful diplomatic mandate and fostering the relations between European Council on Tourism and Trade and Morocco and is constituting a promise for re-launching an European tourism destination towards North Africa in the nearest future.
