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| Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Mr Ounthuang Khaophan (first left) gathers with representatives of participating countries after striking a gong to open the 5th International Mountain Tourism Day in Vientiane on Monday. |
Vientiane marks International Mountain Tourism Day
Events to mark the 5th International Mountain Tourism Day took place in Vientiane on Monday, attended by hundreds of tourism-related business operators and reporters from Laos, China and other countries.
The theme of the day was “Enjoy the Wonder of Mountains, Share a Beautiful Life and Jointly Promote Tourism Revitalisation”, and was an opportunity for Laos to restore its tourism industry after its collapse during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Mr Ounthuang Khaophan, on behalf of the Lao government, thanked the International Mountain and Tourism Alliance for choosing Laos to host International Mountain Tourism Day 2023.
“I am confident that the beauty of the Lao lifestyle, as well as the country’s scenic splendour, including majestic mountain ranges, will attract more visitors from around the world,” Mr Ounthuang said.
International Mountain Tourism Day was also a chance for Laos to prepare to host Visit Laos Year 2024, which will further promote tourism and encourage more people to visit Laos, he added.
The event serves to encourage tourists to explore countries’ natural beauty, particular the wilder areas, an activity that is increasingly popular among travellers.
Travel into remote and rural areas also provides people with jobs and if carefully managed will have little impact on the environment.
Such activities can include hiking, camping, learning about different types of plants, and observing the lifestyle of local people.
The income earned from these activities contributes to the protection of forest animals and the conservation of wild animals that are on the verge of extinction, according to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Events organised for International Mountain Tourism Day included an exhibition of mountain tourism opportunities, handicrafts, and other Lao tourism products.
Tourism operators attending the event were able to gain a deeper insight into Laos’ many scenic attractions and the country’s dramatic landscape, especially in northern areas.
International Mountain Tourism Day was introduced by the International Mountain Tourism Alliance in 2018, as a festival for mountain tourism enthusiasts and practitioners, as well as a shared platform that benefits and is jointly developed by the global mountain tourism industry and International Mountain Tourism Alliance members.
The event has become the most influential brand devoted to sustainable mountain tourism governance and development.
International Mountain Tourism Day was first held in Nepal in May 2019. It was viewed as an important step in cooperation in international mountain tourism activities that have a common goal to build cooperation, increase consultation, and share in the development of mountain-based tourism.
By Times Reporters
(Latest Update May 30, 2023)
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