Laos, Korea develop a platform to promote tourism
 
Laos and South Korea are partnering in tourism, cultural and industrial exchanges between the two countries, with a view to bringing more Korean tourists to Laos.
Green Discovery Laos and the International Culture Industry Association (ICIA) of the Korea-Laos Industry and Cultural Exchange Association have agreed to develop a platform to provide more information on tourism in Laos, by collecting information on natural attractions, restaurants and hotels across the country to be posted on an application and website.
Director of Green Discovery Laos, Mr Inthy Deuansavanh, and Chairman of ICIA, Mr Sam Maeng, last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Vientiane on cooperation between Laos and Korea with regard to tourism.
Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony, Mr Inthy said the two countries’ cooperation agreement on tourism, culture and industry

Mr Inthy Deuansavanh (left) and Mr Sam Maeng display signed Memorandums of Understanding.

would be put into practice through joint media, radio and television outlets, in order to attract Korean tourists.
“There will be both mobile applications and websites. We are designing an application concept and now we have data about tourism across Laos to upload on the application. Development of this application will be complete by the end of this year,” he added.
The MOU is aimed at attracting and accommodating Korean tourists, not only so they can enjoy Green Discovery tourism products, but also other tourism products throughout Laos, Mr Inthy said.
“Over 20 years of tourism business, Green Discovery’s tourism operations mainly focus on Europe, America and Australia, but this time we see Korean tourists as an important market because Korean tourists like to travel a lot, especially through eco-tourism.”
Most visitors only know about a few attractions in certain provinces such as Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Xiengkhuang. But in fact there are places of interest all across Laos, and this new application will help people to learn more about them, he added.
“In addition, in order to attract Korean tourists to Laos after the Covid-19 outbreak and the reopening of Laos, we will explore ways to provide tourists with a better experience, including generating income for local communities, protecting the environment, and bolstering the country’s development,” Mr Inthy said.
ICIA Chairman Mr Sam Maeng said the MOU signing was very important for Lao-Korean tourism after the reopening of Laos, and that the Korean government plans to reopen the country to revive tourism and increase Lao-Korean flights by the end of this year.
This cooperation is considered a good sign and opportunity for both sides, he added.
Before the Covid outbreak, about 200,000 Korean tourists came to Laos each year. It is now expected that the reopening of the country will bring in tourists well in excess of this number.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update May 17, 2022)