Main area of focus in Caring for the Destination:  

Artistic, Social and Cultural Development

Detailed description of the Caring for the Destination Initiative: 

OckPopTok;  meaning east meets west, is about bringing people together through textiles, the exchange of knowledge and ideas.

OckPopTok is a textile gallery and weaving centre based in Luang Prabang which provides sustainable employment to rural residents through the production and marketing of high quality textiles. 

Founded in October 2000 by a local weaver and English photographer, OckPopTok offers a number of interactive learning experiences to visitors and training opportunities to staff and artisans. Working alongside development agencies and the Lao Women's Union we have trained artisans from remote areas in product design and other textile business related skills. These training activities are supported by patronage. A percentage of sales go towards training villagers and sustaining the link between village and market.

In April 2006 OckPopTok founded Fibre2Fabric a non-profit gallery focusing on handcrafted textiles as a way to explore and explain Lao culture. Fibre2Fabric curates three exhibitions a year, each subject taking an in depth look at techniques and the cultural importance of textile production.