With the fast-rising interest in sustainable tourism, travel buyers
looking to work with certified sustainable business in Southeast Asia
should look no further than SUSTOUR Laos, which supports Micro, Small
and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Laos’ tourism industry.
Focused on sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and
responsible business practices, successful adoptees receive
certification from Travelife and Lasting Laos programmes. The project
assists MSMEs in achieving certification through training, mentorship,
incentives, and technical support, setting “industry standards and
influencing others to follow suit”, said Connor Bedard, project manager
of SUSTOUR Laos.
“Through business-to-business matchmaking and promotional campaigns,
namely the Lasting Laos campaign, the project raises awareness of
sustainable MSMEs among tourists and international travel agents,
thereby providing these businesses with a competitive advantage. In
cooperation with our local partners, the project advocates for the
sustainable recovery of the Lao tourism sector in local and regional
forums.”
SUSTOUR Laos employs a holistic approach, balancing tourism growth
with local community support. By advocating for sustainability
certifications, the project ensures tourism benefits local communities
through employment, preservation of cultural practices, and
environmental protection.
Despite challenges in Laos' private sector informality and low MSME
capacity, the project has made significant progress, directly supporting
around 500 MSMEs and benefiting over 7,500 employees. Ten hotels have
achieved Travelife Certification, and 17 businesses obtained the Lasting
Laos certification.
“While still short of our certification targets, what the project has
been successful in doing is establishing a network of businesses who
have demonstrated interest in and commitment to sustainability and
identified role-models who are leading the way,” said Bedard. “These
milestones are indicative of a growing commitment to sustainable
practices within the Lao tourism sector.”