Laos aims to welcome at least 2.7 million foreign visitors

Along with efforts to best prepare for Visit Laos Year 2024, the government aims to welcome at least 2.7 million foreign tourists next year to stimulate economic growth after the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to information from VNA in Vientiane, Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism , Mr. Ounthuang Khaophan, said that the Lao Government considers tourism to play a key role in the country's socio-economic development strategy.

Therefore, Laos' choice of 2024 as the "Year of Tourism" symbolizes a strong commitment to restore the "smokeless industry" that has been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaket said that the tourism promotion program for Visit Laos Year 2024 is determined to attract more foreign tourists to Laos as well as create jobs for people across the country and increase foreign exchange earnings.

According to Nhan Dan newspaper, to achieve this goal, the Lao Government will organize and widely promote the country's famous festivals such as: That Luang Festival in the capital Vientiane, Lao New Year Bun Pi May, Lent Festival in Luang Prabang province, Elephant Festival in Xayaboury province, Wat Phou Festival in Champasak province...

The Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism is also planning a series of other activities across the country to attract tourists, strengthening cooperation with travel companies and airlines to compile a list of suitable activities for tourists, and selecting a logo and theme to promote Visit Laos Year 2024.

According to Minister Suansavanh, to increase tourist attraction, the Ministry will also release the 2024 Laos Tourism calendar, as well as video clips and souvenirs; launch an advertising campaign in the media and on websites from September 2023.

In parallel with organizing festivals, the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism is also making efforts to upgrade existing tourist attractions and build new ones.

To ensure a memorable time for domestic tourists, the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism also focuses on training and upgrading knowledge for tour guides, to help improve their skills and meet the increasing demands of the tourism industry.

In the first six months of this year, Laos attracted over 1.67 million foreign tourists, exceeding the country's target for the whole year of 2023. Notably, the number of tourists coming from countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) accounted for the majority, with Thailand ranking first with nearly 670,000 and Vietnam ranking second with nearly 340,000.

Minh Hoa (t/h)

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