View of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Source: Xinhua)
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.
Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Ounthuang Khaophan said 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.
To realise this ambitious goal, the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism is working with central and local authorities to conceptualise a range of diverse activities that will be organised at both regional and national levels, Mr Ounthuang added.
Along with organizing festivals, the ministry 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 arrivals and Vietnam ranking second with nearly 340,000 arrivals.
VNA
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