9 Reasons Laos is the Unique Choice for your next Incentive Trip
Laos is an up and coming destination emerging in Southeast Asia and not yet overly impacted by global tourism. Vientiane is a relaxing capital city for a change and has a unique French charm from the colonial days. More popular is Luang Prabang for its proximity to the multi-stepped Kuang Si waterfall, Pak Ou Caves, jungle and mountain treks, whitewater rafting, kayaking, and many other popular attractions. Vang Vieng is the third most popular destination in large part due to the beauty of the mountainous lime karsts lining the Nam Song river. Laos comfortably caters to all travelers from backpackers, families, groups, and business folk.
Here are 9 reasons Laos is a unique place for your next incentive trip or team building event:
1. Superb Value
Laos’ up and coming status as a tourist destination in Southeast Asia means that their prices are extremely competitive with their larger more popular neighbors in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Accommodation can be found at great discounts from a few dollars at a hostel to the equivalent of a five star hotel often for under $100, and even entire holiday homes for a few hundred dollars a night. Now is a great time to visit Laos to experience a country that had until relatively recently not been open for travel.
2. Unique Experience
The turbulent times in Laos have passed and the country has reached a new found stability ushering in new development and especially opening to foreign travelers making it possible to see up close the Laotian people and their unique culture. While tourism exists and prospers, Laos is much more relaxed than Thailand and purveyors are less pushy leaving you free to take in the culture. Laos’ past and recent struggles also provide wonderful opportunities to perform acts of CSR.
3. Humanitarian CSR Projects
Laos is one of the most bombed countries in the world and not only that, littered with unexploded bombs and ordinance, and booby traps. What a great CSI project It would be to donate money and aid an organization charged with clearing the danger zones. There are also incredible opportunities to volunteer with local wildlife and environmental conservation groups.
4. Cooler Climate
Due to the mountainous nature of many parts of Laos the country is naturally cooler. However, this also leads to a monsoon climate. The best time to come are the dry but still cool months of winter. Even when it rains, the rain tends to be limited to early mornings and afternoons in heavy but short bursts. The year round temperature in Laos ranges from 22c to 27c making it a cooler destination and a prime location for outdoor team building exercises.
5. Easy to get to
Multiple daily flights go from Bangkok to Vientiane and plenty of buses and vans head to and from the neighboring countries of Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Trains from Bangkok to the border town of Nong Khai add an interesting option heading north. From Chiang Mai however, it is possible to take a renowned boat and van journey from Thailand to Luang Prabang and makes for a great team bonding experience.
6. Breathtaking Natural Scenery
Laos is a country blessed with mountainous jungle valleys, rivers, waterfalls, and caves. It is also possible to go on treks and adventures in the jungle and on night safaris. Watching the scenery go by in Laos can be very revealing of life in the country outside of the tourist areas. Luang Prabang and Kuang Si waterfall are musts when visiting Laos.
7. Entertaining Team Building Events
Team bonding opportunities in Laos are as authentic as the people you will meet in this welcoming country. With vast tracks of national parks it is possible to organize Survivor and The Amazing Race style team activities. These types of team bonding exercises help to raise team morale and productivity through problem solving adventures. Rivers and caves provide another exciting opportunity to build team relationships by organizing geocache treasure hunts with local guides an expert in the surrounding flora, fauna, and culture.
8. Si Phan Don
Otherwise known in English as Four Thousand Islands, Si Phan Don is an incredibly beautiful and relaxing river island archipelago in the mighty Mekong river. Tourists are drawn to the area for it’s laidback vibe and pink dolphin watching safaris. Si Phan Don would make a good location for kayaking, rafting, or other river related team building activity. Located in southern Laos, it also possible to visit Si Phan Don from northern Cambodia.
9. Vang Vieng
While Vang Vieng, 3 hours north of Vientiane, is most widely known as a backpacker destination. The little village on the Nam Song river is located nearby towering limestone karsts and jungle vegetation. From Vang Vieng you can embark on a number of exciting team building activities such as rafting and kayaking down the river, rock climbing up and abseiling down the limestone karsts, and hiking and biking on the numerous trails surrounding the village. Vang Vieng is the adventure capital of Laos.