Latest news with #LuangPrabang
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
'Good karma': Laos' new monk-led travel experiences
Laos' spiritual heart, Luang Prabang, has seen a surge in tourism. Now, a series of immersive monk-guided experiences are educating visitors about the city's Buddhist heritage. The city of Luang Prabang is Laos' spiritual heartland, renowned for its rich Buddhist heritage, ornate temples and a significant population of saffron-robed monks. In fact, the 50,000-person spiritual hub is said by many to have the highest population of monks per capita anywhere in the world. This was once one of Southeast Asia's more off-the-beaten-track destinations, but the opening of the high-speed Laos-China Railway in 2021 has seen a sharp surge in visitors to the Unesco World Heritage-listed city. In recent years, locals say this tourism boom has heavily affected the city's ancient traditions and caused greater commercialisation of sacrosanct Buddhist rituals such as the morning alms-giving. "Tourism has its pros, but also plenty of cons," says Anat Khamphew, a former monk at Wat Xieng Mouane monastery. "We see people behaving very disrespectfully towards the monks. Historic Buddha statues have been stolen from monasteries, and important symbols of devotion are used as backdrops for an Instagram selfie." In response, Kamphew set up a YouTube channel to show travellers coming to Luang Prabang how to have a more positive impact, encouraging them away from over-touristed hotspots and underlining the importance of the city's Buddhist roots. "I wanted to help play a part in recovering Luang Prabang's spiritual heart and soul," he says. Khamphew isn't alone. A handful of other former monks in the city have also set up tour-guiding companies, like Orange Robe Tours and Spirit of Laos, to help promote a better understanding of Luang Prabang's traditional Buddhist culture and customs. One of Khamphew's former monastery classmates also established the artisan store LaLaLaos to help girls from poor rural areas get a secondary education, and another ex-monk created Kaiphaen, a highly regarded vocational restaurant that trains marginalised youths from local villages. "These businesses not only give you a more authentic and ethical experience, but the chance to give back," Khamphew says. "It's how travel should be: thoughtful and beneficial to all. And that's good karma." World capital of monks Located at the confluence of the Mekong and Khan rivers at the foot of jungle-swathed Mount Phou Si ("Sacred Mountain"), Luang Prabang is the former royal capital of Laos. Established in the 14th Century, it soon became a centre of Buddhist learning and monastic life, a role that continues to this day. Some 33 opulently decorated wats (Buddhist monasteries or temples) are scattered across the city, many dating to between the 16th and 19th Centuries, and the city is home to an estimated 1,000 monks. Centre of spirituality Luang Prabang takes its name from the golden Phra Bang, the country's most sacred Buddha icon, which is housed in the city's National Museum complex in a dedicated temple. "It represents Buddhism coming to Laos and is believed to protect the nation; it's why the city is so venerated," says Khamphew. Visiting wats, performing pujas (devotional acts), offering alms and cultivating merits with good deeds form a key part of daily life among Luang Prabang's largely Buddhist population. The tourism paradox Luang Prabang's profound and omnipresent spirituality, coupled with its eclectic architectural styles – a blend of Laotian, Buddhist and French colonial – have made it increasingly popular with visitors, including Instagrammers and influencers. More like this:• Bhutan's 350-year-old recipe for wellbeing• Canada's tiny town of huge monsters• The rise and fall of Vang Vieng, Laos' notorious party town "The problem is that what was once a spiritual place has now been transformed by the digital world," says Khamphew. "Many people are led by 'Top-10' or 'Most-Instagrammable' lists; they go to the same places, experiencing the exact same things – all through their phones. They end up missing the essence of Luang Prabang and ultimately spoiling what they came to enjoy." Cultural erosion One of the rituals affected by the city's tourism growth is the Tak Bat, a solemn daily ceremony dating back more than 600 years, where hundreds of barefoot monks file through the streets before dawn collecting alms. Despite signs requesting appropriate behaviour from onlookers, these are often ignored. "It hurts my heart to see such disrespect,' says Parn Thongparn, a local nun-turned-tour guide who avoids the ceremony and takes her guests elsewhere for a more peaceful experience. "We love visitors, but if they took a little time to understand our culture better, it would help protect our beautiful traditions." Food for thought One particular problem is the offering of inappropriate alms by tourists, such as plastic-wrapped junk food or leftovers. "Food eaten by monks must be fresh, clean and pure; any dishes should be vegetarian, avoid spices and ideally be prepared at home that same morning," explains Linda Heu, a cook at the city's Wat Munna monastery. "Most importantly, it should be a meaningful gesture, not just something for a photo opportunity." Travel the monk's way Former novice monk Bounthan Sengsavang set up his guiding business Spirit of Laos in 2024 to ensure a more respectful approach towards Luang Prabang's monks, as well as a chance to take visitors on a deeper journey into Buddhism. "The people most closely related to the subject should be the ones who guide you," says Sengsavang. "If you haven't been a monk and lived in a monastery yourself, you don't know what it's like. Buddha himself taught from experience. I like to do the same." A simple life Rather than offer a long checklist of temples to visit on a whirlwind city tour, Sengsavang prefers to spend quality time in a small handful to show the monks' daily lives to his guests in detail. "The monks live very simply," he says. "Wealth and possessions are seen as the roots of suffering. Without them, monks can dedicate themselves to meditation, study and ethical living. And by relying solely on alms from the community for food, they practice humility and gratitude." Together in harmony Sengsavang can also facilitate sessions of prayer, chanting and meditation in the company of monks upon request. He tells me that meditation can be learned in one or two days; be performed walking, sitting, standing or sleeping; and that its benefits include stilling a stressed mind and overcoming depression. "The monks are always happy for us to join them," he says, noting that they often enjoy interacting with visitors afterwards. "It's a great way to connect with them and find out who they are, why they joined the monastery and help them practice their English." Mother love The majority of boys in Laos spend time in a monastery, from a few weeks up to a lifetime. As well as receiving a free education, their ordination is considered vital for their parents' spiritual wellbeing and reincarnation – particularly that of their mother. "In the Lao Buddhist tradition, when a boy becomes a monk, the merit helps elevate the mother's karma," Sengsavang explains. "That improves her chances of a good and happy rebirth after death." Circle of life Sengsavang's tours don't shy away from life's realities, and can include a visit to a Buddhist cremation. (Visitors are welcome to attend as long as they remain at a respectful distance.) "Everything ends; we just don't know when," he says. "Seeing a cremation is important; it reminds people of the value of the short life we have. Perhaps it will also help them find their purpose or inspire them to live their own lives better. If that happens, it's a form of enlightenment." -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hospitality Net
2 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
V Mansion Boutique Hotel and Athena Hotel in Laos upgrade to Hotelogix for centralised group operations
Singapore, 11/June/2025: Hotelogix, a globally leading cloud-based hospitality technology provider, said V Mansion Boutique Hotel and Athena Hotelin Laos have upgraded to its multi-property management system to streamline and centralise operations. In addition, Souphattra Serviced Apartment, their sister property, has also migrated to Hotelogix. The move aims to modernise group-level management, automate daily functions, and enable scalable growth through digital transformation. All three properties - V Mansion Boutique Hotel, Athena Hotel and Souphattra Serviced Apartment, are part of Souphattra Hotels & Resorts, a well-known luxury hospitality group in Laos that manages six elegant boutique properties. Known for its refined aesthetics, personalised service, and cultural charm, the brand caters to discerning leisure and business travellers seeking a premium hospitality experience in Laos. The brand has earned several accolades, including ASEAN Green Hotel Standard 2024-2026, Gold Certified for Accommodation Sustainability by Travelife and the 2022 World Luxury Hotel Award. "We chose to move away from legacy, server-based systems because it couldn't offer us the flexibility and central-level visibility we needed across properties," said Douangchanh Chanhma, Manager at Souphattra Hotel Luang Prabang. "With Hotelogix's cloud-based multi-property management system, we now have centralised control over all operations—crucial for maintaining brand standards and streamlining workflows." Additionally, Hotelogix equips the management at these three properties with anytime, anywhere access to real-time data via a Mobile Hotel PMS App, enabling faster decision-making. While its central-level reports offer insights to make informed decisions, the centralised guest history feature helps ensure consistent, personalised service across all properties. "With Hotelogix, we're not just upgrading our technology platform—we're future-proofing our operations. Centralised control, real-time insights, and smarter guest engagement will help us drive growth and scale efficiently while staying true to the top-notch service we are known for. In a fast-evolving market, adopting a modern solution like Hotelogix is key to staying competitive and agile," Douangchanh Chanhma added. "Popular and guest-centric brands like V Mansion Boutique Hotel, Athena Hotel and Souphattra Serviced Apartment adopting Hotelogix underscores our solution's usefulness for centralised operations," said Sivaprasad Gangadharan, Chief Sales Officer of Hotelogix. "We are excited to help them set new benchmarks for efficient property management and guest service in Laos' competitive hospitality landscape." About Hotelogix Hotelogix is a globally leading provider of cloud-based hospitality technology, offering industry-first Multi-property Management Systems, Hotel PMS, and Mobile PMS Apps for independent and hotel groups. It is trusted by 12,000+ hotels, including 250+ groups in 100+ countries. Hotelogix powered the largest multi-property deployment of 50,000+ rooms across 500+ properties during FIFA 2022 in Qatar. Its distribution brand AxisRooms also offers Channel Manager, Revenue Management solutions, and Rate Shopper. Headquartered in Singapore, it has offices across the USA, India, UAE, Thailand, and the Philippines. For more information, visit: Contact Debi Prasad Sarangi Ph: +91 9986496849 Email: [email protected]
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jin Jiang Hotels China Region Grants RJJ Hotels Sdn Bhd Licensing Rights to drive Cross-Border Hospitality Collaboration
New Hotel Management Agreement signed with Sanher Investment & Development Co. Ltd. to build the first Metropolo Hotel in Laos KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RJJ Hotels Sdn. Bhd (subsidiary of RIYAZ International Sdn. Bhd.,) a Malaysian-owned hospitality and lifestyle group, has entered into a landmark strategic licensing partnership with Jin Jiang Hotels China Region (Jin Jiang Hotels), the world's second-largest hotel group. The first Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) was signed recently for a property in Luang Prabang, Laos, marking the inaugural milestone across Southeast Asia for RJJ Hotels Sdn Bhd. RJJ has been granted licensing rights to manage and expand five renowned brands under Jin Jiang Hotels across Southeast Asia. RJJ targets to sign around 200 hotel management agreements and to operate over 100 hotels within the next five years across key growth markets including Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Laos. Laos Marked as the First Milestone with RJJ Agreement The first Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) signed in Luang Prabang, Laos, is by Sanher Investment & Development Co. Ltd. The hotel will carry one of Jin Jiang Hotels' largest and most historic portfolios, The Metropolo, and is scheduled to open in early 2026. Metropolo properties are designed as 4- to 5- star equivalents, typically featuring 100 rooms or more, and are positioned in main cities with strong historical identity. The brand is known for delivering classic luxury while incorporating local cultural elements into its design and guest experience. "This project reflects our confidence in the long-term potential of Southeast Asia's tourism sector. We believe the Metropolo brand, under the guidance of RJJ Hotels, will deliver high-quality experiences that reflect the rich heritage of Luang Prabang," said Liu Hegeng, General Manager, Hotel Department of Sanher Investment & Development Co. Ltd. Malaysia as Southeast Asia's Operational Headquarters Jin Jiang Hotels mark the first large-scale international expansion, with Malaysia, currently serving as ASEAN Chair, selected as the headquarters for RJJ Hotels. In 2024, Malaysia welcomed over 25 million international tourists, and over the next three years, it will host major regional events including the ASEAN Summit, Visit Malaysia 2026, and the Southeast Asian Games, highlighting its role as a strategic hub for hospitality and investment. "This partnership is a strong signal of confidence in the ASEAN hospitality market. RJJ is well placed to redefine cross-border hotel development by combining our regional management experience and local cultural insight with Jin Jiang Hotels' sophisticated systems and brand strength," said Mohammed Amin Mohammed Sidek, Executive Director of RJJ Hotels. Through this collaboration, RJJ Hotels will manage five hotel brands under the Jin Jiang portfolio: METROPOLO JINJIANG HOTELS – Upscale 4 & 5-star city hotels GINCO HOTEL – Luxury 5-star resort RENJOY HOTEL – Upscale 5-star resort LAVANDE – Midscale business hotel JINJIANG INN – Premium economy hotel These brands are expected to anchor RJJ Hotels' presence in key urban and leisure destinations, with discussions already underway with owners in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Jakarta, Bali, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, and Manila. Investor Conference and Launch Scheduled for August 2025 An investor conference launch event to mark the collaboration between RJJ Hotels and Jin Jiang Hotels is scheduled on 27th August, which will be held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), bringing together over 400 Chinese and regional investors, offering attendees a first-hand look at the quality of the Jin Jiang Hotel brands and learn of upcoming developments. Developers, hotel owners, suppliers, and investors are invited to attend and explore partnership opportunities. The event will also introduce the Jin Jiang Global Purchasing Platform (GPP) in Southeast Asia. Managed by NOVAC Hospitality Sdn. Bhd., GPP will provide streamlined access to Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) as well as Operating Supplies and Equipment (OS&E), offering cost savings, quality consistency, and faster rollouts to support regional expansion. For more information about RJJ Hotels, please log on to To express interest or request an invitation to the event, please send an email to enquiry@ Jin Jiang Hotels China Region Jin Jiang Hotels China Region forms part of Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels (Group) Company Limited—a leading hotel group in China. Jin Jiang Hotels oversee the operations and brand development of several of the group's homegrown brands, including Metropolo, Lavande, and Jinjiang Inn, focusing on the select-service and mid- to upscale segments. As of its latest reporting, Jin Jiang Hotels owns and/or manages over 17,300 hotels with more than 1.64 million guest rooms over 55 countries, serving the high-end, mid-range, and economy markets. Through its network, which includes brands under Radisson Hotel Group, Groupe du Louvre, Plateno Group, and Vienna Hotel Group, the group supports a global loyalty programme exceeding 200 million members. For more information on the company, log onto About RJJ Hotels Sdn. Bhd. RJJ Hotels is a subsidiary of RIYAZ International Sdn. Bhd – a full-service hotel management company – oversees the operations of a collection of signature resorts regionally, including the vibrant dash brand. Competently led by a team of versatile individuals, RJJ Hotels not only specializes in hotel management, but also incorporates an International standard design team to curate innovative spaces that go above and beyond the standard experiences. For more information on the group, log onto & View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE RUDER FINN - MALAYSIA Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
