Informational Workshop on ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Awards (ASTA) for Tourism-related SMEs
Vientiane, July 28, 2021. The Department of Tourism Development, Ministry of Information Culture and Tourism (MoICT), with support from the USAID Laos Business Environment Project, organized an informational workshop on the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Awards (ASTA) for tourism-related SMEs at Muang Tang Hotel. The workshop was co-chaired by Ms. Phonemaly Inthaphome, Director General of the Department of Tourism Development, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, and Mr. Michael Stern, Deputy USAID Country Representative to Laos. Workshop participants included representatives from MoICT, the Department of Small Medium Enterprises and Promotion (DOSMEP), tourism-related businesses, USAID/Laos and the USAID Laos Business Environment Project team.
The ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award (ASTA) is one of the pillars under the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan which aims to showcase the value, diversity and characteristics of ASEAN tourist destinations to visitors. It specifically focuses on increasing the visibility of ASEAN products and destinations; raising awareness about ASEAN quality and diversity; encouraging tourism-related business to incorporate sustainable tourism practices into their businesses; and improving networking among ASEAN businesses.
The MoICT, specifically the Department of Tourism Development, encouraged Lao tourism-related businesses to participate in this regional competition in order to showcase their business best practices as well as portray Laos as a preferred sustainable tourism destination.
Mr. Michael Stern, Deputy USAID Country Representative, noted that the ASTA workshop would help to position Lao SMEs to win the award, as well as raise the profile of award recipients as national best practice operators at international travel exhibitions.
This full-day workshop provided participants with an overview of the ASTA competition, key principles, sustainable tourism products, the ASTA selection process and the benefits of ASTA to Lao SMEs.
The USAID Laos Business Environment Project assists the Government of Laos to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises while strengthening the business environment in Laos.
