DPM advises govt, businesses to jointly improve tourism

A top government official has advised the public and private sectors to form closer links to improve tourist attractions, visitor facilities, and services at hotels and restaurants.
Improvements should be made to ensure quality services and develop activities and diversified tourism products that relate to the country’s many ethnic groups, as well as develop agritourism, Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune said on Tuesday when addressing a meeting to report the ministry’s 2023 annual work summary and plan for 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune.

The government and businesses should collaborate to advertise, develop and manage cultural, historical, natural, agricultural and sustainable tourism with the participation of local communities, he added.
This would encourage more local people to engage in tourism, use Lao products, and help ensure that all tourism-related business are better regulated.
The Deputy PM also noted that over the past year, the information, culture and tourism sectors in both central and local areas had made significant progress.
These achievements include the development, management and promotion of natural, historical, cultural and agricultural tourism by creating and rehabilitating infrastructure and tourism facilities so they meet Asean standards and are more closely integrated with regional standards and facilities.
In addition, many important tourism sources have been explored and developed, a plan has been created to restore tourism in Laos, and much has been done to support foreign tourism events, he added.
Tour guides have improved their skills and are gradually approaching international standards.
All of this has contributed significantly to the overall performance of the Party and government and is a solid foundation for the advancement of tourism in the coming years, Prof. Dr Kikeo said.
However, there are still some issues involving the development and management of tourism operations, especially concerning centralisation. Many aspects of tourism are not integrated and do not generate significant direct income for the Party and state, while the overall standard of tourism and the variety of tourist activities is inadequate, he added.
In a bid to bring more tourists to Laos, the government has launched the Visit Laos Year 2024 programme, opening up the country to visitors from around the world in the hope that many people will discover the wonders of Laos.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism is hoping that at least 6.2 million Lao and foreign tourists will take trips in Laos during Visit Laos Year, spending more than US$1.3 billion on tours, accommodation, food and other travel-related costs.

By Times​ Reporters
 (Latest Update February 14, 2024)