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The UNESCO-LNTA Nam Ha Ecotourism Project is a community-based ecotourism initiative implemented by the Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA) in and around Lao PDR’s Nam Ha National Protected Area. The UNESCO Office of the Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and the Pacific provides technical assistance and monitoring to this award-winning project, with the generous financial support of the Government of New Zealand. In collaboration with national partners such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Information and Culture and the Science, Technology and Environment Agency - in addition to a number of international organizations - the project is encouraging cooperation between the public and private sector to implement a community-based ecotourism development approach that places local communities at the center of the tourism development and management process.

 


Another main focus of the project is to assist the Laotian authorities establish mechanisms that ensure tourism makes measurable contributions to the conservation and protection of the country's outstanding natural and cultural heritage in an economically viable framework. 

 

First launched in Luang Namtha during October 1999, the project has been recognized by the United Nation's Development Programme (UNDP) as a “best practice” poverty alleviation intervention, winning the UN Development Award for Poverty Alleviation in Lao PDR in 2001. For its contribution to natural heritage protection, British Airways acknowledged the Nam Ha Project in the 2002 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, National Parks and Protected Areas Category.  For a complete overview of the activities and accomplishments of Phase I of the project, download the Nam Ha Ecotourism Project Phase I External Review Document.  The current Nam Ha Ecotourism Project Phase II project document, as well as the first annual report (2005-2006) may also be downloaded.

News and Events

M&E Consultants
Nam Ha Ecotourism Project recruits 2 consultants for the project final monitoring and evaluation.
Station: Luang Namtha, Vientiane, Lao PDR
Reporting unit: Office of the Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and the Pacific
Contract duration: 4 weeks, in March/April 2008
Deadline for application: 7 March 2008
[View terms of reference]

Nam Ha Ecoguide Service finalist for the Equator Prize 2006.
The Nam Ha Ecoguide Service has been chosen by the Equator Initiative’s Technical Advisory Committee as one of 25 outstanding finalists for the Equator Prize 2006. [more]  

 

Lao Ecotourism Forum
The Lao National Tourism Administration is organizing the 2007 Lao Ecotourism Forum in Vientiane from 26-29 July 2007. The Forum will bring together and display the highest quality and most innovative ecotourism products and services on offer in Laos and the Mekong Region. Registration for the event opens on 1 March 2007. [more]

Laos as a booming ecotourism destination
According to the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Lao PDR attracted 1.09 million visitors in year 2005 and is predicted to have a strong 27% growth rate in international tourist arrivals between 2006 and 2008. [more]


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