A tourist abseils down the rock face of the Tad Kha Mued waterfall in Champassak province. -​-Photo​ Unseen Laos

Tourism authorities plan widespread upgrade to boost visitor numbers

The government plans to provide more quality tourism products and services, as well as address barriers to tourism, hoping to welcome more tourists between now and 2025, according to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Planned developments aim to raise the standard of cultural, historical and agricultural tourism by introducing more green and sustainable features, enable regional and global integration, and develop tourism as a leading economic driver that will lift people out of poverty.
The authorities plan to improve and develop tourism infrastructure and facilities in terms of both quantity and quality in line with regional and global standards. This includes installing facilities close to stations on the Laos-China Railway, such as tourist information centres and shops selling local products.
Tourism authorities will do more to accommodate tourists travelling on the Laos-China railway, and improve ecotourism products and community-based tourism to meet national and regional standards, with the aim of making Laos a preferred tourism destination.
Land, air and water tourism services will also be improved and the government will market Laos as a destination for quality and safe ecotourism and community-based tourism.
Various marketing campaigns, events and activities will be aimed at target markets in Asean and more use will be made of the media and technology to reach target markets.
​The government also plans to strengthen the management of travel agencies and associations, as well as hotel and restaurant associations and tour guide associations.
Provinces that do not have such groups will be encouraged to set them up, and regional and global cooperation in tourism development and management will be enhanced.
Laos’ tourist attractions have been cited in several foreign publications and websites, with river trips through the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park in Huaphan province listed among the world’s top 10 best night safaris in an article posted on the Condé Nast Traveler website in February.
In March, Luang Prabang was recommended by the American magazine Time as one of the 50 greatest places to visit in 2023.
The magazine called Luang Prabang “a hidden paradise”, saying the turquoise waterfalls, Buddhist temples, and sunset boat trips on the Mekong River are just a few of the province’s highlights.
Almost 5.6 million tourists made trips in Laos over the last two years and five months, with revenue from tourism exceeding US$631 million.
Of these tourists, almost 3 million were Lao nationals while 2.6 million visitors (accounting for 17 percent of the target figure) came from other countries. The average length of stay was recorded at 7 days per person, according to​ the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 24, 2023)