The Boat Landing Guest House An Ecotourism business model Tourism can be a positive experience for all

Background Location: Ban Khone, Luang Namtha Opened in: November 1999 Lao Owned Family Business Owners: Sompawn and Patsanee Khantisouk Built by the owners Employees: Low season-12 High season – 17 No. of Rooms: 10 Total Occupancy: 26 persons

The Concept Local Atmosphere –Natural Rural setting –Traditional Style architecture –Family-run business Local Flavor –Photos of local people –Traditional handicrafts for decoration –Genuine Village style food in the restaurant Western Style comfort –Bright rooms with good beds –Clean Bathrooms with hot water –Quiet relaxing surroundings Information on the area and activities available Benefits the local people and economy

Who comes?

Who are they? Mid to late career professionals University Educated Moderate to high income Time poor – little time to travel Looking for a meaningful experience with locals

How many guests in a year?

Where do they come from?

Where do they go to?

When do they come?

What do they do? Visit Ethnic villages Bicycle riding Boat trips Trekking Walks and market visits– observing daily life Rafting Bird-watching

How long do they stay?

Classic Business Assumptions Profit must make profit as quickly as possible maximize profits in the short term business success is measured by financial bottom line Competition a race to beat the other guy desire to corner the market Only look after yourself Service service only to paying customers

The Boat Landing Ecotourism Model: There is a way to do business where everyone benefits Profit Triple bottom line – social –environmental –financial long term view

The Boat Landing Ecotourism Model Cooperative More water in the pond makes everyone's boat rise Work together with other businesses, service providers and gate keepers to attract business Develop products and services not provided by others Use products and services of others Consciously find ways for others to participate and to benefit Service Provide services that people really need: Information, connections to businesses

The Social Bottom Line: How does the local community profit? Hire Local People – 17 of our staff come from the 4 nearby villages Buy local goods and services –Use local craftsman and skilled labor ( carpenters, construction workers) –Serve local food –Buy local food products –Buy from local merchants –Support local handicrafts –Support local service providers – tour operations, drivers, boatmen, etc

The Social Bottom Line: How does the local community profit?

Travel Philanthrophy –School fund ~ $1,500 –Black Cheeked Gibbon Fund ~ $1000 –Personal Contacts Knowledge Exchange Preservation of skills, culture and traditions ( music, clothes, building techniques) Cross-cultural understanding

Environmental Bottom Line: How does the environment profit? Efficient use of Natural Resources –Solar power –Energy saving devices ( lights, switches, etc) –Water saving devices Reduced Solid Waste –Recycling –Using other materials –Composting Education –Boat Races & Clean up the World –World Wildlife Day/ Arbor Day –Educational materials for guests Networking ( WCS, Green Discovery, UNCS)

Financial Bottom Line: How do we profit? Our income will exceed our expenses over the long term when we take care of the environment and the communities that our customers want to visit and provide opportunities for our customers to contribute to their welfare while having a meaningful, personal experience.

How do you know that we are sincere? Certification Social Commitment Environmental Commitment Sustainibility

Social Commitment Number of locally employed staff Percentage of Expenses entering local economy Activities with local community organizations Develop social sustainibility policy

Environmental Commitment Achieve best practice standards for: –Energy comsumption –Use of biodegradable chemicals –Reducation fo Solid waste –Biodiversity conservation –Water management Environmental Policy and Action Plan

How do we benefit? The Challenge of meeting a standard –We must make a truly sincere effort Reputation –Credibility in the market Press Exposure

What are the Challenges? Bills craziness – staff appreciating the importance of this work Collecting the data – weighing garbage Techincal documents and English Lack of ecolable products Standards designed for developed countries with environmental standards

Marketing: How to find the customers you want? Build on the exisiting market – Budget travelers Word of mouth Gatekeepers

How to really get the customers you want! Internet, internet, internet –Go directly to your market and give them the information and contacts that they need –Sell your area and you sell yourself –Give them alternative options, then they will believe that you are not only out to get their money but providing a service For transport Accommodation Activities

How to guaruntee that you get the customers you want? Give them the confidence that you will be able to provide them with the experience that they want –Be knowledgable about what want people can do – information, information –Get a sense of what is right for this person –Answer your quickly and fully –Do hestitate to provide information on services from which you wont benefit –Sincerity, sincerity, sincerity

Where do we go from here? Help communities to develop their own tourism businesses –They provide the experience, we the market –A mutually beneficial relationship Support Luang Namthas #1 tourist attraction: The Nam Ha NPA –Develop different types of wilderness experiences ( bird-watching, forest stays, wildlife surveys)

Come and visit us sometime! Thank You!