Ministry, business operators gear up for safe tourism

Government officials and business operators have been discussing plans to reopen Laos to tourists next month, under special conditions put in place because of the Covid outbreak.
The online meeting took place after the government approved the “green tourism areas” scheme, with a view to allowing tourists to visit selected areas.
The meeting was chaired by the Director General of the Planning and International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Phengchanh Phengmeuang.

Participants would discuss arrangements for people visiting designated “green travel” zones, where measures would be introduced to ensure safe travel and prevent the spread of Covid, she said.
Ministry officials and tourism-related business operators will produce a video to explain procedures to visitors and will improve contact tracing.
They will also run a publicity campaign on social media, radio, television and in newspapers about the reopening of specific tourist destinations and direct visitors to official websites for further information.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism will provide foreign embassies in Laos with details of the plan, including information about safety measures, and will also circulate information about LaoSafe through provincial travel agencies, tourism associations, and online workshops.
The ministry will also give guidance to tourism businesses, drivers and guides through online workshops and other channels as requested or needed, and will run online sessions on safe travel protocols for tour operators.
Green zones will be set up with a view to ensuring the safety of travellers and service providers in Vangvieng and Champassak, Khammuan, Xayaboury and Luang Prabang provinces.
Lao and foreign visitors who wish to travel to green zones must have had two doses of a Covid vaccine less than 14 days prior to travel.
Foreign visitors must apply for a pass by filling out an online eVisa form and must have had a PCR Covid test less than 72 hours before entering Laos. They must also have another test upon arrival in Laos.
While waiting for the test results, visitors must quarantine in a designated hotel for 24 hours. If the test is negative, visitors can proceed to a green zone.
Areas classified as green zones must have a population that is 70-80 percent vaccinated, while 90-95 percent of service providers must also be vaccinated.
For travel in green zones, tourists must book hotels that have been approved by LaoSafe as well as show a Covid vaccination certificate.
Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said last month the government will invite Lao and foreign tourists who have been fully vaccinated against Covid to come to Laos, with a particular focus on visitors from China and the Republic of Korea.
It is hoped that the Lao Thiao Lao (Lao Visit Laos) campaign will attract at least 1.9 million Lao visitors and more than 1 million foreign visitors in 2022.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update December 13, 2021)