The Vat Phou Temple festival is one of the main events on Champassak province’s Visit Laos Year tourism programme this year.

Champassak rolls out Visit Laos Year tourism prorgramme

Champassak authorities have organised 12 events to draw visitors to the province during Visit Laos Year, with the programme kicking off next month.
The programme includes a variety of events so that tourists can plan their visit depending on their likes and interests.
Meanwhile, provincial authorities are ready to welcome visitors with improved tourist sites, infrastructure, transport, accommodation and services, all aimed at ensuring visitors enjoy their stay in the province.
The Deputy Governor of Champassak province, Mr Som Bouttakoun, said provincial authorities had planned 12 events under the Visit Laos Year theme of “A Paradise of Lao Culture, Nature and History”.
The Vat Phou Temple festival, which celebrates the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been designated as the main event and will feature colourful cultural shows amid atmospheric surroundings.
The provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department is expecting at least 330,700 foreign tourists to visit Champassak this year, generating revenue of about US$64 million.
In 2025, the target figure is at least 350,900 tourists, generating revenue of US$68 million.
A grand opening ceremony for Visit Laos Year will be held in Champassak province from February 22-24. Throughout the year, visitors can choose from colourful events including the Vat Phou Festival and the Bolaven Plateau Coffee, Tea and Agricultural Products Festival in Pakxong district.
Tea and coffee grown on the Bolaven Plateau have surged in popularity internationally, with the number and variety of products constantly increasing.
In addition, there are other activities taking place in other districts, giving visitors a varied choice.
The province has improved the quality of services and instituted safety measures, as well as stepping up advertising for Visit Laos Year through local and foreign media and participation in international tourism exhibitions.​​
Tourism is a rapidly growing sector of the economy, so provincial authorities are giving it full support by formulating policies to develop and promote cultural, historical, natural and agricultural tourism in order to attract more tourists to Champassak.
Tourism is increasingly contributing to socio-economic development, job creation, agricultural production, crafts, and exports, as well as bringing more money to rural communities.
Laos has hosted Visit Laos Year three times, the first time in 1999-2000, the second time in 2012, the third time in 2018, and now for the fourth time in 2024.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update January 25, 2024)