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Insider Journeys and Laos turn on charm for Prime Minister Turnbull
International leaders were in Laos for the 10-nation Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional summit meetings, where attendees included the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and US President Barack Obama.
Following the summit, Asia travel specialists Insider Journeys hosted Prime Minister Turnbull to a tour of Wat Sistaket, along with media and photographers, guided by Insider Journeys Laos guide Khamphouvieng.
Situated near the Presidential Palace in Vientiane, Wat Sistaket, the oldest Buddhist monastery in Laos, is famous as the home of more than 6,800 tiny Buddha images and wood, stone and bronze seated Buddhas, dating from the 16th-19th century.
In addition to the famous Wat visited by the PM, highlights in Laos include two UNESCO listed sites: Luang Prabang town and Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape.
Insider Journeys’ Regional General Manager – Cambodia & Laos, Antony Giblin, said the company was thrilled to be able to share a famous site in Laos with the Prime Minister.
“As an Australian company in Laos, Insider Journeys was delighted to share with the Prime Minister a highlight of this beautiful country,” says Giblin.
“Insider Journeys has a rich history of organising inspiring small group and private holiday experiences in Laos.
It was a privilege on this occasion to be able to present our brand and to escort the Prime Minister of Australia on his short visit to Wat Sisaket.
We hope that he comes back to Laos for a fully-fledged holiday. “Insider Journeys’ involvement in Laos has resulted in direct and indirect investment in the local economy of tens of millions of dollars over almost 20 years,” explains Giblin.
“The company has a history of working responsibly in Asia, and in Laos alone has supported a number of charities and NGO efforts over many years.
A sizeable donation was made earlier this year to Friends International, which trains marginalised youth in Vientiane in hospitality and other skills.
“Importantly, our investment and impact is not just in the main towns. Many of our tours go to the provinces, where the spend of tourism dollars is most needed and beneficial.
This aligns with our responsible travel policy, which includes references to responsible investing.”
SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, recently announced it will launch services from Singapore to Vientiane and Luang Prabang in Laos, from November 2016, making the destination more accessible to Australians wishing to travel there.
Tours
Insider Journeys offers three standalone Laos small group journey itineraries, as well as a number of Indochina cross-border trips that include Vietnam and Cambodia.
The new flights into Laos by SilkAir are ideal for the 6 day Highlights of Laos, 19 day Indochina Explorer and 15 day Vietnam & Laos Explorer small group journey itineraries.
Source: etbtravelnews.com
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