The popular Kuangxi​ waterfall​ in Luang Prabang province.   -​-Photo Teng

More​ than 100 participants to attend Asean Tourism Forum

The Asean Tourism Forum 2024 (ATF)​, taking place in Vientiane from January 22-27, currently has 105 registered participants from eight countries, according to the latest update from the Ministry​ of​ Information, Culture​ and​ Tourism.
Registered participants include two from Brunei, 24 from Laos,​ 30 from Malaysia, one from Myanmar, one from Singapore, five from Thailand, and 11 from Vietnam.
Tourism representatives have applied to set up almost 90 display booths, with about 22 booths exhibiting Lao tourism products.
In addition, the ministry expects that about 108 people will attend the Asean Tourism Standards awards ceremony.
These awards include 50 Asean green hotel standard awards, 30 Asean green tourism district awards, 150 Asean event venue standard awards, and 20 Asean tourism sustainable standard awards.
This year’s Asean Tourism Forum will take the theme “Quality and Responsible Tourism - Sustaining Asean Future”.
The forum is viewed as a golden opportunity for Laos to advertise the country’s many exciting tourist destinations to a huge international audience.
Laos previously hosted the Asean Tourism Forum in 2004 and 2013, which led to a surge in visitor numbers in subsequent years.
Laos is an intriguing destination for foreign visitors keen to explore the country’s scenic attractions and observe local lifestyles and traditions.
The government is increasingly emphasising the country’s potential as a nature-based tourist destination.
There are also colourful traditions to be observed among Laos’ many ethnic groups, while old temples and historical sites are another drawcard.
Luang Prabang city’s old quarter was listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in 1995 and is Laos’ most popular visitor attraction.
Vat Phou temple in Champassak province and the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang province are also world heritage sites.​
Almost​ 1.7 million foreign tourists visited Laos in the first six months of this year, with Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese​ nationals topping the list.

By Times​ Reporters​
 (Latest Update January9, 2024)