PM calls for stronger media role, sustainable tourism, cultural preservation

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has called on the Lao media to play a greater role in national development, along with greater efforts to ensure sustainable tourism and cultural preservation so that these sectors make significant contributions to socio-economic development.
Dr Sonexay made the call while addressing the annual meeting of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism on Friday. It was attended by the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Suanesavanh Vignaket, and ministry officials.

PM Sonexay Siphandone.

The Prime Minister said the media must do more to convey the Party’s policies and laws to members of the public, as this will help people understand and support national development efforts and counter hostile attempts to distort facts, and undermine the government and Party leadership’s role and unity.
He stressed the need to cultivate political and moral integrity among media professionals, and ensure they uphold the Party’s policies, follow state laws, and act in the country’s best interests.
“Journalists must have a strong sense of patriotism and maintain professional ethics,” he said.
“News content should be clear, engaging, and aligned with national priorities, using formats that are suitable for different audiences.”

Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Suanesavanh Vignaket, attends the ministry’s annual meeting alongside deputy ministers, former ministry leaders, and representatives from various sectors.  --Photo KPL News Agency

Dr Sonexay urged the media to adopt modern technologies and complete the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.
He called for efforts to preserve and promote Lao culture by creating cultural villages, restoring traditions, and eliminating outdated customs. Steps should also be taken to enhance literature, art and heritage conservation.
The Prime Minister highlighted the need to improve libraries, museums and heritage sites to make them more attractive, after noting that these sites fail to attract impressive numbers of people. He called for stronger policies to support cultural professionals and ensure their work reflects national realities.
On tourism, he called for better management of historical, nature-based and agriculture-based tourist attractions, with active community involvement. He emphasised the need to ensure the safety of visitors. 
The head of the government asked the tourism authorities to work with other sectors to ensure that industrial development is friendly to the tourism industry and to ensure sustainable tourism.
He called for improved services, creating a diverse range of tourism products, and strengthening the “Visit Laos, Use Lao Products” campaign.
The meeting was told to review the visa waiver policy implemented during the Visit Laos Year 2024 and to produce recommendations on its advantages and disadvantages, so that further policy in this regard can be appropriately introduced.
The meeting noted that the information, culture and tourism sectors made notable achievements in 2024. These included the listing of the naga weaving motif by UNESCO as a form of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
UNESCO also recognised the traditional Lamvong dance in the same category of heritage preservation.
The tourism industry recorded strong growth last year, with 4.1 million foreign visitors generating US$1 billion in revenues. Domestic tourism remained robust, with 3.3 million Lao travellers spending US$540 million during trips around the country.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update February 10, 2025)