Tad Yeung waterfall: a model of sustainable tourism

The well-known Tad Yeuang waterfall in Pakxong district, Champassak province, has been recognised as an Asean sustainable tourism development for its success in generating income to ease the poverty of the local community.
Located about 40 kilometres from Pakxe city, the waterfall site recently garnered an Asean sustainable tourism award, which was presented during the Asean Tourism Forum held in Cambodia.

Tad Yeuang waterfall.

The award was given in recognition of the successful tourism development and job generation provided by the site.
“Today I’m very happy that our work has been acknowledged with an Asean sustainable tourism award. The award gives us great encouragement to do more to enhance the area,” the site’s developer Ms Sonethida Ounaphom said.
“In recent years we have received a number of awards from both Laos and other countries, such as an Asean public toilet standard award, national sustainable tourism award, and now an Asean sustainable tourism award,” she added.
Development of the Tad Yeung site began in 2012, to provide facilities and services for visitors, all of which involved the participation of the local community. People living in Km 40 village were given training in the provision of services.
However, despite the overall success of the project, Ms Sonethida faced several challenges in her attempts to develop the site and keep the business afloat.
A storm and the Covid-19 outbreak meant that business was disrupted for about two and a half years, with flooding seriously harming road and bridge access to the waterfall.
And when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the number of visitors fell by 80-90 percent.
“But despite the challenges and the financial burden of business operations, we did not lay off any of our employees. We kept them on the payroll so they could continue to earn an income to support their families,” Ms Sonethida said.
Pakxong district and the Bolaven Plateau are renowned as being a coffee-growing region. Many visitors say the coffee trees grown here produce some of the best beans in the world. 
Most villagers in the district rely on commercial coffee cultivation for their livelihood.
“Instead of growing just coffee, we have also persuaded people in the area to grow vegetables to sell to our restaurant, which provides food for tourists. We also encourage organic crop production, handicraft-making, and the staging of cultural shows. Local ethnic people have formed a group to stage shows for visitors,” Ms Sonethida said.
“We also created a group of 70 families in Km 40 village to grow vegetables organically and supply them to the restaurant at the waterfall. Because of the drop in visitor numbers, we have been selling the organic vegetables and other crops grown by villagers to supermarkets in Vientiane. This has provided local people with a regular income.”
A local resident, Ms Lae, says Tad Yeuang waterfall is one of the most popular attractions in Champassak province. “Anyone who hasn’t seen the waterfall cannot really say they’ve been to Champassak province,” she observed.
Pre-pandemic, between 500 and 1,000 people visited the waterfall but travel restrictions introduced to prevent the spread of Covid meant that visitor numbers plummeted.
Champassak province is not only famed for the Vat Phou world heritage site, but also for its waterfalls, especially Khonphapheng, Tad Fan and Tad Yeuang.
The 42-metre Tad Yuang waterfall has observation platforms at the top, middle and bottom of the cascade. There are also several viewpoints around the waterfall.
“The Asean sustainable tourism award is just the first stage in the development of the site. It is gratifying that we have been recognised for our efforts to pursue sustainable tourism,” Ms Sonethida said.
“The award will motivate us to work harder and do more to develop tourism in a way that brings greater benefits to local communities.”
“More support from the authorities is essential to help us overcome challenges and achieve our goals, especially through supportive policies and helping us access to funding.” 

BySomsack Pongkhao
(Latest Update February 8, 2022)