Group 2 Script:

Slide 1: Introduction and Greetings (Oh)

“Good day, everyone! We are from Group 2, and our names are: Pinky, Houng, Vincent, Oh, Folie, Sydney,
and City. We are happy to welcome you to our presentation about Mr. Inthy Deuansavanh. He is an
important figure in Laos’ tourism and business. Today, we will talk about his journey, the businesses he
started, and his plans for the future of tourism in our country.”

Slide 2: Who is Mr. Inthy? (Houng)

“Mr. Inthy Deuansavanh is a well-known entrepreneur and the founder of Green Discovery Laos. He is even
nicknamed the KING OF VENTURES AND ADVENTURES! This company is one of the top eco-tourism
businesses in our country. He has spent many years in the tourism industry and is respected for his
innovative ideas in promoting sustainable tourism.” “From humble beginnings, Inthy Deuansavanh has
become a titan in the Lao tourism industry as the founder of both the Inthira Group and Green Discovery.
Educated in Russia and starting his career in Laos as a salesman, Inthy never thought about tourism as a
career path. However, in 1998, his family began a small restaurant in their French colonial house. He
recalls, ‘At that time, the country was just opening up, and we hadn’t seen many tourists before. We were
serving only Lao food at the restaurant, and due to our location next to Nam Phou, we were getting a
steady stream of foreign customers.’” “Recently, Mr. Inthy was elected as the President of the Lao Tourism
Association. In this new role, he aims to improve tourism in Laos by addressing challenges and
encouraging teamwork between the government and private businesses.”

Slide 3: Businesses He Opened (Vincent)

“Mr. Inthy has started several successful businesses, including Khop Chai Deu Restaurant and the Inthira
Group, which includes hotels and restaurants like Inthira Thakek and Inthira Vangvieng. He also offers
facilities like Inthira Trekking, Inthira Ziplining, kayaking, rafting, and even an Elephant Conservation
Center! His commitment to eco-tourism is clear through Green Discovery, which provides genuine
experiences that showcase Laos’ natural beauty and culture.” “You may wonder why he named his
restaurant ‘Khop Chai Deu.’ He considered many names, but ‘Khop Chai’ is a Lao phrase that foreign
tourists easily recognize. It's commonly used in daily life, and adding ‘Deu’ makes it sound more casual.
This catchy name has become a selling point, helping tourists remember it easily.” “Alongside the growth
of the Inthira Group, Inthy also opened Green Discovery, an adventure tour operator, in 2000. Now
covering Laos with seven offices, it offers the best adventure itineraries available, including trekking,
kayaking, cycling, rock climbing, and ziplining. These trips focus on sustainable travel, as Inthy believes
that ‘tours must be meaningful for both locals and travelers. They must preserve the local environment
and culture and benefit local communities.’ Under his leadership, Green Discovery provides many outdoor
activities and adventure travel options, making it a vital part of Laos’ tourism.”

(Pinky) Question: What other businesses do you have, besides the restaurant?

Inthy smiled one more time and answered that after we opened Khop Chai Deu restaurant for two years,
we established Sayo restaurant in Vang Vieng. After this business was opened a year half, it was noticed
that foreign tourists were interested in the tourism of Vang Vieng with beautiful nature. Therefore, tourist
service unit was opened there to carry out main tourist service activity, adventure rafting along Song River
for watching nature. This activity is accepted by customers and expands. To date, we have had six tourism
branches in Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientiane, Thakhek and Pakse. Tourism
conservation program was added to the activities. In particular, we are currently carry out this program in
Luang Namtha for nearly two years, aiming at local participatory development and helping the locals
generate incomes and protect environment. Since then, we have named the company as Green Discovery,
which guides tourists to villages and reach people living in remote areas. It helps the people shift from the
occupation destroying wildlife, forests and environment as before to occupy stable jobs. Inthy showed that
before people living in Namlay village, Luang Namtha province had only income of 500,000 kip per a
family per year. After we started the programme, bringing tourists to this area for less than 16 months, it
is noticed that the income of the people multiplies. Sometimes, they work as guide to lead tourists to
watch birds and wildlife and they can earn 100,000 kip per day. The bank of the village has 54 million kip.

Slide 4: Video of Mr. Inthy Running His Business (Oh) “Now, we’d like to show you a short 30-second video
of Mr. Inthy at work. This video highlights how he runs his businesses, which we found in his official
Instagram account. (Play video)

Slide 5: Experiences and Challenges (Folie)

“Mr. Inthy has faced many challenges throughout his career. He started during a time when the economy
in Laos was changing. The economic crisis in the late 1990s made it difficult for many businesses,
including his. However, he found ways to turn these challenges into opportunities by focusing on tourism.”
“His experience working with Marlboro gave him important skills in business and networking, which he
used to grow his own companies. He believes that sustainable practices are key, especially in a country
rich in nature and culture.” “When asked about the current investment value of his businesses, Mr. Inthy
paused for a moment and simply replied, ‘about one million U.S. dollars.’ We found this information on the
Inthira Group's official website, where he was interviewed by the press.” “Highlighting Laos’ strengths, Mr.
Inthy emphasized the country’s abundant natural resources, noting that over 80 percent of the terrain is
mountainous, with 25 national protected areas showcasing diverse natural wonders. ‘This is the unique
point and strength of Laos,’ he stated. Another potential attraction is the uniqueness of the Lao people.”
“‘Nature and people are Laos’ strong points,’ he said, adding that effective management and protection of
these resources is crucial to preserving Laos’ unique appeal.”

Slide 6: Impact of Tourism on Laos (Sydney)

“Mr. Inthy thinks that tourism can change Laos for the better. It creates jobs and promotes cultural
exchange. He believes it is important to practice sustainable tourism that helps both the economy and the
environment.” “In his role with the Lao Tourism Association, he works to improve marketing for tourism
and solve problems that hinder growth. He emphasizes that good management of tourist sites is crucial to
preserving what makes Laos special.” “He also highlights that tourism can help raise awareness about
local cultures and traditions. By bringing visitors into communities, it allows local people to share their way
of life and fosters a deeper appreciation for Laos’ rich heritage.” “Mr. Inthy believes that by focusing on
eco-tourism, Laos can attract more responsible travelers who value nature and sustainability. This
approach not only benefits the economy but also helps protect the environment for future generations.”
“Furthermore, he points out that with the right investments and support from the government, tourism can
become a leading sector in Laos. It has the potential to attract more international visitors, enhancing
economic growth and cultural exchange.” “Mr. Inthy added, ‘The future trend for Lao tourism is good. The
countries on our borders have large populations, especially Thailand, China, and Vietnam. There are many
tourists coming to these countries. If they are nearby, we can communicate with them to showcase our
attractions, and if they like what we offer, they will be pleased to pay a bit more.’” “He concluded by
saying, ‘This is a potential market; we just need to invest more, improve the quality of our marketing, and
ensure we have good management.’”

Slide 7: Future Plans (City)

\“Looking ahead, Mr. Inthy has ambitious plans for the future of tourism in Laos. He aims to enhance the
tourism infrastructure and foster partnerships with other regions to promote Laos’ unique attractions.” “His
vision includes creating activities that offer unforgettable experiences of Lao nature, ensuring that tourism
supports local communities and promotes cultural understanding.” “In addition, he wants to develop
training programs for local guides and tourism workers to ensure high-quality service and sustainable
practices in the industry.” “Mr. Inthy is targeting the expansion of tourism businesses, particularly tourist
sites and hotels, to accommodate more visitors and enhance their overall experience.” “He is also
advocating for special visas for digital nomads and retirees to attract long-term visitors who can contribute
to the local economy.” “By leveraging technology, he plans to improve marketing efforts, making it easier
for potential tourists to discover the beauty of Laos through online platforms and social media.”

Slide 8: Thank You and Closing (Oh) “Thank you for listening! In summary, Mr. Inthy Deuansavanh’s work
in the tourism industry and his focus on sustainable practices are helping create a better future for Laos.
His leadership is important for solving the challenges in the industry. We appreciate your interest and
welcome any questions you may have.”