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 Brussels 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.

1. WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD CEREMONY
HELD IN VIENTIANE - LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
On 19 October 2011, in the framework of European Council on Tourism and Trade
official delegation visit to LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC , Professor Dr.
Anton Caragea , President of European Council on Tourism and Trade bestow
upon people and government of LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC the
WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD for 2013 and declared LAO PDR as
FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION for 2013.
The impressive ceremony held in Vientiane, capital of LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC was held under the auspices of Minister of Culture, Information`s and
Tourism, Honorable Dr. Academician Bosengkham Vongdara and under the High
Patronage of Government of LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC.
The most important touristic event of the year, the announcement of the WORLD
BEST TOURIST DESTINATION for 2013, had attracted a large audience of ministers,
parliamentary and tourism professionals eager to find out the reasons for selecting
LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC as the winner of the prestigious award for
next year.
this issue
WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION
AWARD CEREMONY P.1
LAO PDR-SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL P.6
Vientiane P.9
Upcoming event`s P.16
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
CONGRATULATES LAOS -
WORLD BEST TOURIST
DESTINATION FOR 2013
H.E. Yacoub Yousef Al Hosani, United
Arab Emirates Ambassador has pre-
sented his congratulation to Professor
Dr. Anton Caragea, European Council
on Tourism and Trade for the election
of LAO PDR as the new WORLD BEST
TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013.
This election is a sign of the great
influence of European Council on
Tourism and Trade on international
scale, influence in the service of bet-
ter oriented tourism.
United Arab Emirates had enjoyed the
benefit`s of being elected WORLD
BEST TOURIST DESTINATION two
times and we hope that tourism in
Laos will see a similar boost as the
result of the award, commented UAE
Ambassador in dialogue with ECTT
President.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TOURISM
Quarterly Journal of Tourism Information General Manager: Nicolae Nicolae
ISSUE 8 YEAR 2013 SPECIAL EDITION: WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION

2. 2
WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013 IS LAOS
Between 5 to 10 May 2013 a high ranking offi-
cial delegation of European Council on Tourism
and Trade, under the leadership of H.E. Profes-
sor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European
Council on Tourism and Trade ( ECTT) was in-
vited for a working visit in People`s Democratic
Republic of Lao( Lao PDR).
The delegation had also the outstanding task of
presenting to the people and Government of
Lao PDR the highest honor in tourism: the
WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD
FOR 2013.
The visit has being encompassed in the rapid
developing bilateral relation between Europe
and Laos, in a rapid evolving dialogue and a
reciprocated desire to establish an extensive
and consolidate partnership, Laos being pres-
ently the main partner of our European Council
on Tourism and Trade in the South-East Asia
area.
In the framework of H.E. President Dr. Anton
Caragea visit an inclusive discussion was held
with H.E. Thongsing Thammavong -Prime Minis-
ter of Lao.
Tabled at the meeting where the extension of
bilateral exchanges in areas such as economy,
tourism, culture and political dialogue.
H.E. Thongsing Thammavong -Prime Minister of
Lao has outlined for European delegation an
extensive presentation of the Laos economic
situation as a country in full and ample develop-
ment, with a rate of annual economic growth of
4 to 7%, and an expansion rate of incoming
tourists of more than 20% annually and being
counted amongst economic tigers of the area.
Also the Prime Minister had expressed the sin-
cere appreciation of the Government and Peo-
ple of Laos for the instrumental role played by
Professor dr. Anton Caragea in promoting Laos
image in the world and in bestowing the
WORLD BEST TOURISM DESTINATION title for
Lao.
On his turn, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had
emphasized the strong points of Lao: political
stability, impressive economic development
and the clear express desire to extend the bilat-
eral relation.
The visit H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea lead
delegation had included also an extensive dia-
logue with H.E. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara,
Minister of Culture, Information`s and Tourism
and H. E. Vice-Prime Minister Asang Laoly and
Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith-Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
Tabled at the meetings where issued such as
the establishment of a Council for Business and
Cooperation, Bilateral Chamber of Commerce,
Impressive WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION Award Ceremony held in Vientiane .

3. 3
WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2013 IS LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC
Honorary Consulates and other structures
destined to enhance the economic, cultural
and political partnership.
H.E. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara, Minister of
Culture, Information`s and Tourism ex-
pressed his appreciation for the Professor dr.
Anton Caragea support for Laos in champi-
oning at European level with considerable
influence and energy the country as a
WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION.
During the discussion with Dr. Bosengkham
Vongdara, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had
presented the arguments for Lao PDR being
considered as a world power in culture and
tourism , noting that in XXI century that val-
ues of a nation is encompassing the cultural
and historical patrimony and in this regard
Lao PDR is an outstanding country.
At the end of the meeting, professor dr.
Mircea Constantinescu, Director of European
Tourism Academy had bestow the title and
insignia and certificate of European academi-
cian to H.E. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara, Min-
ister of Culture, Information`s and Tourism
for his unremitting efforts in promoting tour-
ism as a tool for peace and development.
The program of European delegation headed
by H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea also
included a strong cultural element like visit-
ing UNESCO heritage city of Luang Prabang,
That Luang National Stupa, Vat Siseket tem-
ple, Vat Xiang tong, UNESCO classified
monuments such as: Vat Vixun, Vat Phat Tai,
Royal Palace of Luang Prabang, Phusi and
Xieng Tong temple ad National Museum
Kaysone Pomvihan etc.
Also a special program was carved off for
professor dr. Anton Caragea as WORLD AM-
BASSADOR OF NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS
to visit special natural monuments situated
along the banks of Mekong river.
H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had highly
praised the decision`s taken by the Govern-
ment of Lao PDR to protect natural patri-
mony, environmental protection and sus-
tainable development for this important
touristic areas.
On 9 May 2013 in an impressive ceremony,
full of pomp and paraphernalia, the WORLD
BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD FOR
2013 was bestow to the people and Govern-
ment of LAOS.
The ceremony reuniting leaders of Govern-
ment of Lao PDR, diplomats, academicians,
business community, cultural and media
representatives had included the presenta-
tion of the AWARD FOR WORLD BEST TOUR-
IST DESTINATION IN 2013, the presentation
of the main landmark beauties and scenic
spots for tourism in Lao an emotional
charged speech of H.E. Dr. Bosengkham
Vongdara, Minister of Culture, Information`s
and Tourism and concluding a large area of
fashion presentation, music and dance spec-
tacle that impress favorable the numerous
assistance.
By the outstanding organizing the WORLD
BEST TOURIST DESTINATION CEREMONY in
Vientiane, the Government of Lao PDR had
proved his extraordinary capacity to host
international events and to organize high
resounding world meeting.
The successful and felicitous visit of Euro-
pean Council on Tourism and Trade delega-
tion , the high level and inclusive dialogue
with the relevant authorities of Lao PDR, the
reciprocated vision of rapid evolving rela-
tions, the clearly marked economic, touristic
and cultural opportunities are all testa-
ment`s of the desire to further extend the
dialogue. (EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOUR-
ISM AND TRADE PRESS OFFICE )

4. 4
26 APRIL 2013 – EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE ELECTS
LAOS AS WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013
On 26th of April 2013 in a public séance of
the European Council on Tourism and Trade,
gathering representatives of tourism organi-
zations from European continent has de-
bated the list of candidates for WORLD BEST
TOURIST DESTINATION for 2013.
Professor Dr. Mircea Constantinescu, Direc-
tor of Tourism Academy had presented a
report on the last year situation of the
Award for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINA-
TION that was dedicated to Trinidad and
Tobago and it was used accordingly with
rules and regulations and have being proving
highly efficient in attracting new tourists and
investor`s. In 2012 Trinidad and Tobago had
reverse the downward spiral in number of
tourists and revenues provided by tourism
and was the ONLY country in the Caribbean
region that registered an increase in number
of visitors despite economic crisis.
Increase in investment, increase in tourism
potential and number of foreign visitors was
the positive outcome of WORLD BEST TOUR-
IST DESTINATION AWARD for Trinidad and
Tobago concluded professor dr. Mircea Con-
stantinescu.
On the debate for WORLD BEST TOURIST
DESTINATION AWARD FOR 2013 professor
dr. Anton Caragea, President of European
Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) pre-
sented the report titled: LAOS: A TOURISTIC
AND CULTURAL PARADISE proposing LAOS as
the winner of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTI-
NATION FOR 2013.
Among the reasons for awarding WORLD
BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013 to
LAOS the report outlined:
Promoting a new concept of community
based tourism, friendly to nature, with low
ecological impact and preservation of natu-
ral biodiversity and protection of endan-
gered species and areas, especially rainfor-
est eco-climate.
Community based ecotourism is a way to
share revenues and income, to support rural
communities in prospering and presenting
their foodstuff and handicrafts to the world
and to make the base for an economic local
development.
Sharing tourism benefits to all the popula-
tion, offering a social tourism it is a lesson
that Lao is offering to the world.
Laos is offering to tourists not only a histori-
cal 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 pla-
teau, Mekong river islands, Mekong river
boat trip, Tad Kouangsi waterfall , the cave
of de Ting. All this are model of achieve-
ments in ecological and green tourism that
must be world recognized.
The continuous development and protection
of cultural and historical patrimony of Peo-
ples Democratic Republic of LAO, the trans-
formation of Vientiane in a historical and
spiritual center offering to the visitor a
glimpse into rich culture and heritage of
peoples of Lao.
- The preservation of an outstanding histori-
cal 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.
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
26 APRIL 2013
PHOTO CHRONICLE
OF EUROPEAN COUNCIL
ON TOURISM AND TRADE
MEETING

5. 5
26 APRIL 2013 – EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE ELECTS
LAOS AS WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013
significance and value such as: Wat Xieng
Thong, one of the most important of world
Buddhism monasteries and remains a signifi-
cant place for the spirit of religion and tradi-
tional art. Other sites that must be men-
tioned 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 De-
mocratic Republic of LAO in a spiritual desti-
nation of first hand.
After hearing the report, Senator Ionel Agrig-
oroaiei, from Romanian Parliamentary and
Director in European Council on Tourism and
Trade had express the feeling’s of all present
at the gathering declaring that: LAOS is a
strong candidate, with a perfect record of
promoting clean, ecological and social ori-
ented tourism and that only a unanim-
ity vote in favor of LAOS could express
the European tourism and economic
community decisive action in favor of
such a world model.
Mr. Mark Doda, representing Balkan
countries at the meeting had also
stated the desire of peoples of South-
East Europe to support a new model of
tourism in the present economic cli-
mate, a community based tourism on
Laos example. In the end of the debate
European Council on Tourism and
Trade decided, unanimously, to award
WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION
FOR 2013 TITLE TO LAO PEOPLE`S DE-
MOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to declare
LAO PEOPLE`S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
-FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATIONS
in 2013.
It was also presented the Official Invi-
tation, on behalf of Ministry of Infor-
(EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND
TRADE PRESS OFFICE )
mation, Culture and Tourism of LAO for a
delegation of European high ranking official
of European Council on Tourism and Trade,
to present the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTI-
NATION AWARD in Vientiane, in person, to
His Excellency Minister of Tourism Professor
dr. BOSENGKHAM VONGDARA.
Awarding the highest tourism distinction of
European Council on Tourism and Trade,
accepting the invitation for an working visit
of high ranking members of European Coun-
cil on Tourism and Trade in LAOS, are esti-
mated by all tourism experts as a good ex-
ample of close tourism relations and mutual
consensus between Europe and Laos, said
at the end of the meeting Professor Anton
Caragea, President of European Council on
Tourism and Trade.

6. 6
LAOS: SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL– MINISTER BOSENGKHAM VONGDARA KEY NOTE
SPEECH FOR WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION CEREMONY FOR 2013
On behalf of the Lao government and people, it
is my pleasure and delight to welcome all dele-
gates 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 hon-
orable prize, which demonstrates the great
achievements of tourism development in Laos.
Laos offers impressive tourist attractions and
services for tourists from across the world.
I would like to take this opportunity to praise
and express my sincere gratitude to the Euro-
pean Council on Tourism and Trade and all tour-
ists 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 delega-
tion to Laos to attend the ceremony and pre-
sent 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 ef-
fort and a high sense of responsibility by the
Party and government since the 4th Party Con-
gress in 1986 outlined a comprehensive renova-
tion policy to open up for foreign cooperation,
tourism has played an ever more prominent
role in the country's socio-economic develop-
ment. 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 govern-
ment has done its utmost to develop infrastruc-
ture 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 Interna-
tional 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
EYE ON IT
Kazakhstan congratulates
LAOS for being named
WORLD BEST TOURIST
DESTINATION FOR 2013
His Excellency Kazakhstan Ambas-
sador Talgat Kaliyev stated after
Laos was awarded the title of
WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINA-
TION FOR 2013 that :
I express my sincere congratulation
for the government of LAO PDR for
this outstanding success and pow-
erful promotion tool for tourism,
but also for the international pres-
tige of your country.
I hope that we can cooperate
within European Council on Tour-
ism and Trade for promoting tour-
ism, cultural and trade ties be-
tween our countries.
I express also our hope that we will
enjoy Lao PDR support for Kazakh-
stan candidature for World Best
Tourist Destination 2014.

7. 7
LAOS: SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL
ACADEMICIAN BOSENGKHAM VONGDARA KEY NOTE SPEECH
FOR WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION CEREMONY FOR 2013
and Luxembourg. The authorities have redefined that visas issued
at checkpoints permit the holders to stay in Laos for 15 days, re-
duced 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 ex-
tended 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 develop-
ment 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
r e v e n u e a s h i g h a s
US$513,576,784. By 2013 the
number of tour operators had
risen to 275 companies. Hotels
and guesthouses have also in-
creased 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 inter-
est, and 209 historical sites.
The Lao PDR shares similar characteristics with many other coun-
tries, 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 an-
other world heritage site dating back to the 12th century. In addi-
tion, 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 with-
out 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 prov-
ince, called the ‘Community-based Eco-tourism Programme'. Simi-
lar programmes
now exist in all
17 provinces
involving 40
districts and
160 villages,
and have gener-
ated income
directly for local
people.
B e c a u s e o f
these progres-
s i v e g r e a t
achievements
of the Lao tour-
ism sector cou-
pled with the impressive progress made in socio-economic develop-
ment 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 fol-
lows:
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

8. 8
LAOS: SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL
ACADEMICIAN BOSENGKHAM VONGDARA KEY NOTE SPEECH
FOR WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION CEREMONY FOR 2013
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 Tour-
ist 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 coun-
try.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt
thanks to Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of the Euro-
pean Council on Tourism and Trade, for highly valuing the de-
velopment 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, happi-
ness 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 happi-
ness, and to further contribute to promoting Lao tourism in
Europe and across the globe.

9. 9
LAO PDR– A CULTURAL AND TOURISTIC PARADISE
by Professor Dr. Anton Caragea-PRESIDENT OF
EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE
His Excellency Mr. Asang Laoly, Deputy Prime Minister in
charge of Social and Cultural Affairs
His Excellency Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Your Excellency`s distinguish members of Government of Peo-
ples Democratic Republic of Lao
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 friend-
ship 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, rec-
reation and health
care.
Tourism has become,
in the world today, an
intrinsic value of hu-
man life and experi-
ence 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 ad-
venture and discover-
ies.
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 histori-
cal patrimony conservation for future generation and exactly
for this need we have carved WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINA-
TION 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 DESTINA-
TION.
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 human-
ity 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 peo-
ple of Laos, that
from 1975 onwards
is constructing a
life of dignity, lib-
erty and tolerance
in a free country.
Today, in a world
that rarely accepts
and tolerates dif-
ference, we come
to honor a country
of TOLERANCE, in a
world crowded
w i t h p s e u d o -
culture, without a

10. 10
LAO PDR– A CULTURAL AND TOURISTIC PARADISE
by Professor Dr. Anton Caragea-PRESIDENT OF
EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE
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 TOUR-
ISTIC 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 Re-
public 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, offer-
ing 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 REPUB-
LIC 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 remark-
able 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 enu-
merate 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 monas-
teries 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 visi-
tors 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 pre-
senting 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.

11. 11
LAO PDR– A CULTURAL AND TOURISTIC PARADISE
by Professor Dr. Anton Caragea-PRESIDENT OF
EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE
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 cul-
tural 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 DE-
MOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF LAOS and to declare PEOPLE`S DE-
MOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF LAOS- FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINA-
TION in 2013.
This title is an international recognition of Your work for Peo-
ples 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 cul-
ture and tourism.
May this award be transformed in a support for developing the
international standing of People`s 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 People`s Democratic
Republic of LAO for this outstanding achievements.

12. 12
LAOS– A MASTERPIECE OF CULTURAL TOURISM by
Professor Dr. MIRCEA CONSTANTINESCU-DIRECTOR
OF EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY
Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
We traveled here to bring to you, the people of the Lao Peo-
ple’s Democratic Republic, our message of friendship, peace,
tolerance and mutual understanding, a message from the very
heart of the European Union.
This spring, The European Council on Tourism and Trade
awarded the highest tourism prize, the World Best Tourist Des-
tination for 2013 to the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos.
60 years ago a well known scientist predicted that up to the
end of the last century the world will become global, and that
all the people in the world will be living in “the global village”.
It seems indeed that we are living now in a global world, where
all the nations are called to solve
complex problems of interna-
tional, national, confessional,
environmental and social nature.
And Laos is indeed a part of this
global village. The strategic per-
spective and the wise and bal-
anced approach adopted by your
government and by your coun-
try’s leadership is a wonderful
example. Your country is con-
nected to the world with care and confidence, step by step,
keeping a balance between the international and the national
perspective.
This means respect for the national identity of Laos, a realiza-
tion of the importance of the country’s image in the world, as
well as a need for a sincere and positive cooperation with
other countries for the progress and well-being of mankind.
When we study the realities of Laos and place of Laos in the
modern world we discover that your country is from a certain
point of view the “melting pot” that the same scientist pre-
dicted, a place and a nation where interethnic, interracial, inter
-confessional problems are solved peacefully, with a careful
approach to the environment, people, ancient and modern
culture, national and global economy. Here is a typical example
of the wise manner in which the country’s leadership is solving
complex problems and situations.
The leaders of Laos, in accordance with the needs and expecta-
tions of the Laos society and people decided that the activities
of information, culture and tourism are gathered under the
same umbrella, in the same ministry, underlying the impor-
tance of the three activities, their national importance, as well
as their strong interconnection.
Information is vital for any human activity, for any nation in-
volved in the process of multilateral development. The last
century could be described as the beginning of the information
age. It seems to be a never-ending story. Recent studies re-
vealed the too much informa-
tion from too many sources
could be harmful. The individual
effort of looking for information
sources, receiving and decod-
ing, selecting and interpreting
may require too much effort.
Too much and too divers infor-
mation could be confusing.
Spending too much time inside
the virtual world keeps us from
living in real life: to work, to spend quality time with family and
friends, to meet new people and to enjoy the nature. From
ancient times, teaching was the basic method of censorship
and selection, of passing important information from one gen-
eration to another.
Culture is the heart of every nation, of every group of people
related by place, time and political context. Again, almost 40
years ago, the new leadership of your country took a wise and
strategic decision to the build the identity of the Lao nation,
the present and the future of the country on the heritage of
the past. Wisdom and tolerance, firmness and balance, were
the concepts that guided the building of a nation, proud of its
past and confident in its future.

13. 13
LAOS– A MASTERPIECE OF CULTURAL
TOURISM by Professor Dr. MIRCEA
CONSTANTINESCU-DIRECTOR OF
EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY
The collaboration with UNESCO in identifying and carefully
preserving the heritage of the Lao people is at the same time a
token of admiration and respect of the whole world for the
treasures of the Lao nation. As you may know, the most pre-
cious treasure of your country, are the people! They are
friendly and their hospitality is already known around the
world. They seem to live according to other time measures,
and I am sure that the English idioms “take your time” and
“take it easy” have their ancient roots in Lao!
We may thank you for reminding us that there is life beyond
stress, morning rush, crazy schedules and endless meetings.
And at last, the most complex task of all: tourism. It involves
resources and money, smart managers and nice people, a cul-
tural heritage and an enchanting nature, along with good food,
good transportation, good housing and most of all, good will.
Taking a look at the progress made by Laos’s tourism, we may
affirm that Laos has all the above incentives, and may become
many years from now, a preferred tourist destination for mil-
lions of people from all over the world.
Dear friends,
It is so easy for me to bring to you all the good words from the
Europe. I would like to congratulate once again your great
leaders, their leadership teams and all the Lao people, men
and women that contributed to building together a proud na-
tion, admired and respected by the entire world.
And finally from our hearts again congratulations for being
awarded the highest tourism prize, the World Best Tourist Des-
tination for 2013 to the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos
by The European Council on Tourism and Trade.
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 mem-
ber of the Executive.
We all know how hard and sometimes painful is to increase our
knowledge, to become experts in one area or another. Profes-
sor Vongdara had the chance to bring his theoretical and prac-
tical 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 na-
tion’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.
LAUDATIO FOR ACADEMICIAN BOSENGKHAM
VONGDARA BY MIRCEA CONSTANTINESCU
DIRECTOR OF EUROPEAN TOURISM
ACADEMY

14. 14
Photo montage by Nicolae Nicolae
EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE
WORLD BEST TOURIST AWARD CEREMONY
FOR
LAOS
2013 WINNER-VIENTIANE

15. 15
Photo montage by Nicolae Nicolae
EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE
DELEGATION VISIT IN LAOS
WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION 2013
May 2013

16. 16
European Tourism
Academy is welcoming a
new member
DR. BOSENGKHAM
VONGDARA
Minister of Culture,
Information`s and Tourism
of LAO PDR
August 2013—Professor dr. Anton Caragea will lead an ECTT delega-
tion in Kazakhstan
August 2013—WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM CEREMO-
NIES in Turkistan, Kazakhstan
September 2013—WORLD TOURISM DAY celebration at European
Council on Tourism and Trade
October 2013– Autumn Diplomatic Trip in the framework of DISCOVER
EUROPE PROGRAM of European Council on Tourism and Trade
November 2013—Professor dr. Anton Caragea will lead an ECTT dele-
gation in Turkmenistan
November 2013—Professor dr. Anton Caragea will lead an ECTT dele-
gation in United Arab Emirates
December 2013—The General Meeting of ECTT in Bucharest –Palace of
Parliament
Upcoming Events for European Tourism
EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND
TRADE ( E.C.T.T.)
22 Franceza Street
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office@eucir.com email
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