Main area of focus in Caring for the Destination:  

Supporting responsible tourism development in Luang Prabang, Laos.

Detailed description of the Caring for the Destination Initiative: 

A word from the owner – Markus Peschke

“An earthly paradise harmoniously shared between man & nature”

No words could describe better my intense feelings and thoughts when I first came to this place which we call today “Shangri Lao”, - the hidden paradise valley behind the village Ban Xieng Lom, Luang Phabang province / Laos.

After 12 years experiencing Lao people and Lao culture, working and spending most of my free time with them, I also found that this description fits with their behavior - calm and friendly.  Those who have the chance to experience Lao people and their surroundings, especially throughout remote areas, will agree with me, that it’s paradise and there is nowhere else where man and nature share harmoniously together.

But it’s not only me who has this experience with the Laotian character, a female French explorer who traveled to Luang Phabang in 1909, Marthe Bassenne, had the same experience:

‘Adieu Luang Phabang‘ or ‘Good bye Mouang Louang’ as the Laotians say - ‘You have intoxicated us with your easy life, with your voluptuous nonchalance, little Capoue asleep between the great streams which guard you, and the mountains which extend the odorous shadows of their green dress over you! Good bye to this awakened dream, to this living tale of fairy queens of which we abandon the magic charm we regret!’

 Management Vision of Shangri Lao

I would like to preserve this area for the next, and future generations, not only with the help of the local people, but also the Lao government. I would like you as the customer to experience our adventure where we bring man and nature together in harmony to help and support each other to fulfill our lifetime without harming anything or anybody.

Our style of management in Shangri Lao is therefore a unique one.  There is no “big business chain”, or some ‘fast return’ investment with many investors squeezing the management for a fast return of their investment.  Our management is able to respect the behavior and style of the unique nature of the inhabitants of Laos. This is a calm approach to life, less driven to making lots of money and the pressures this bring, but more to look at enjoying their daily life always looking for a chance to smile, laugh and enjoy with others!

This understanding means employing more staff and respecting their lives and culture.  This results in a relaxed, authentic behavior from the local people, which benefits our guests who can get to know them, in the relaxed and authentic atmosphere in our camp. Just as the first explorer probably experienced the “innocent” inhabitants of this magic, “intoxicating” country, we want to continue this. This also means sharing the relationship with the neighboring village by involving the local people to create more jobs that less educated people can follow and fulfill. By involving animals (so far 11 elephants & 2 horses) and having to care for more than 300 hectares of primary jungle, we have many more opportunities for these indigenous people.