WEEKLY FEATURED MEMBER OF THE EXPERIENCE MEKONG COLLECTION: KINGFISHER ECOLODGE – CHAMPASAK, LAO PDR

Weekly featured member of the Experience Mekong Collection: Kingfisher Ecolodge – Champasak, Lao PDR

At Kingfisher Ecolodge, guests can soak up the tranquil beauty of Xe Pian NPA’s wetlands. The lodge played a large part in establishing tourism in this once off-the-beaten-track destination, and it remains the primary accommodation option. The lodge’s situation on the edge of the wetlands, a water world frequented by birds and water buffalo, is nothing short of idyllic. It’s all best viewed from the observation hut or one of seven “Comfort” category bungalows, sturdy raised timber bungalows with a front wall of glass and an enormous deck with hammock.

Travel Experience
At Kingfisher Ecolodge, guests can soak up the tranquil beauty of Xe Pian NPA’s wetlands. The lodge played a large part in establishing tourism in this once off-the-beaten-track destination and it remains the primary accommodation option. Their bungalows are comfortable but the lodge mishandles some aspects of hospitality and for those seeking an experience greater than just a nice room in nature, it will fall short of expectations. Kingfisher Ecolodge is a kilometre on from Ban Khiet Ngong village. The lodge’s situation on the edge of the wetlands, a water world frequented by birds and water buffalo, is nothing short of idyllic. It’s all best viewed from the observation hut or one of seven “Comfort” category bungalows, sturdy raised timber bungalows with a front wall of glass and an enormous deck with hammock. These bungalows will suit a traveller with a flexible budget but as advertised, it is comfortable rather than fancy. These comforts include ensuite toilet and solar heated shower, fan, safety box and tea/coffee. The rooms also looked well maintained, a contrast to their less expensive option.

Responsibility
Kingfisher Ecolodge believes that education is of primary importance for the development of local communities and a better understanding of environmental protection, Kingfisher Ecolodge support the primary school of Khiet Ngong village (more than 120 children). We support the school and students' needs as well as the teachers' needs (Teachers in Laos are under paid and with little or no equipment support by the government so we believe they deserve some kind of help in order to achieve better teaching results). In order to guarantee that all donations will reach the intended target we have agreed with the village chief as well as the school authorities that, as soon as we have available a sum to donate, we will request them a list of what is needed, we than purchase the materials and hand them over directly to the school. We are proud members of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travelers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination.

Business Case
Kingfisher Ecolodge is a family run business owned and managed by Mr. Massimo Mera from Italy and Ms. Bangon Phommachan (On), a Lao native, whom are married since 1997. Being a small family run business the lodge has been since then in slow but constant development in order to guarantee to all guests the best comfort and service possible in such a remote area of Laos. We elected to call our resort an "Ecolodge" because we believe that it is possible to do business in a sustainable way, trying to set an example for many other people to follow. We would like to demonstrate that it is often easy to change some of our everyday habits in order to better serve and sustain our world's environment as well as to help people that still lack the basic needs that we, in the western world, "take for granted"as the standard way of life

Find out more about Kingfisher Ecolodge; please visit https://www.mekongtourism.org/mekong-responsible-tourism/kingfisher-ecolodge-champasak-lao-pdr/

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Kingfisher Ecolodge – Champasak, Lao PDR
Year of Establishment - 2006
Address - Ban Khiet Ngong (Phu Asa), Champasak Province, Lao P.D.R.
Phone Number +856 20 55 726 315
Email - info@kingfisherecolodge.com
Website - http://www.kingfisherecolodge.com

Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
c/o 3rd Floor, Department of Tourism
Ministry of Tourism and Sports, 154 Rama 1 Road, National Stadium, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Web: www.mekongtourism.org
Tel: +66 2038 5071-1
Mobile: +66 8555 44234, +66 8098 95853