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Laos Next Target For Chinese Tourist “Invasion”
Source: Investvine – Asia Business News With hordes of Chinese tourists overrunning one Southeast Asian country after the other as a result of a new travel freedom and rising spending power, Laos is the next destination on the map for them. A number of infrastructure mega-projects currently being built in Laos should serve as connecting lines between the two countries, including a new expressway and the almost $6-billion railway line that will link Vientiane to the Chinese border. In addition, Chinese firms are investing in tourism-related infrastructure projects in several provinces of Laos that could draw more Chinese visitors. Chinese nationals accounted already for about 11 per cent of Laos’ 3.86 million tourist arrivals last year, a figure that was down overall by 8.6 per cent from 2016. In 2017, Chinese tourists were one of the few markets to grow, up 17 per cent to 639,185 arrivals. Many Chinese enter Laos via a border crossing, driving from Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, to Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. Some 210,133 Chinese tourists crossed the land border last year. “I’m sure that many more Chinese visitors will come to Laos in the next five to ten years after the completion of the railway project,” the Vientiane Times quoted Phouvieng Sykaysone, deputy head of Vang Vieng district’s office of information, culture and tourism, as saying. Earlier this year, a Chinese firm in partnership with a Lao company signed a concession agreement with the Lao government to develop a new town in 4,000 Islands region. The Chinese said they will spend $9 billion to develop infrastructure and tourism-related activities, including hotels and restaurants, in the area adjacent to Khonphapheng Waterfall and surrounding areas. The company expects to attract 1.3 million visitors annually from around the world, including Chinese tourists, by 2025, and 10 million tourists per year by 2050. Chinese companies are also eager to build and expand airports in several provinces of Laos, particularly those in Xieng Khouang and Champasak provinces, to facilitate the growth of tourism in Laos. China is also adding more flights to Laos. Previously, only China Eastern Airlines operated flights but more recently, it has been joined by Sichuan Airlines and Hainan Airlines. More and more Chinese people are flying to destinations across Laos following the improvement of infrastructure and facilities for tourists in the landlocked country.
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Rescues Keep Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary Busy
The new multi-species Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary has been busy with rescues. Recent additions include a pair of young female Assam macaques, who had been tied by the neck with wire. They were joined by a pygmy slow loris and a crested serpent eagle. “We’re overjoyed to have the opportunity to help other species however this creates a need for additional facilities. For many of the smaller species we can build enclosures quite quickly, for a modest cost,” a spokesperson said. “Help us out by becoming a monthly donor. Building a base of monthly donors is vital to our operations. Even a small monthly donation makes a huge difference.” To find out more about the Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary, click here.
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Lao Railway Construction Powers Through the Rains
Construction of the almost-US$6 billion railway linking Vientiane to the Chinese border is making good progress despite the torrential rains, floods and landslides afflicting the north of the country. Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport Mr Lattanamany Khounnivong told Vientiane Times the railway is now at least 37 percent complete. “Of course, the project has been impacted by the weather to some extent, but not seriously. Work is continuing despite the rain,” he said. An official in charge of the railway in Luang Prabang province said that although flooding and landslides had occurred there, railway construction activities had not been particularly affected. In Oudomxay province, there was no flooding in the areas where the railway is being built so work has continued on schedule. Project coordinator for Oudomxay province, Phonpadith Phommakit, told Vientiane Times the Chinese contractors were now focusing on two main tasks – tunnel boring and bridge building. “Construction teams are working at every point of the tunnel boring and bridge construction. Tunnels measuring 570 and 400 metres have now been drilled through,” he said. The railway will have a total length of 126.6 km in Oudomxay province, with 78 percent of the track being built on 60 bridges and in 32 tunnels. The railway, which covers a total distance of over 400km, is scheduled for completion in 2021. Source: Vientiane Times By Somsack Pongkhao
