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Soaring Chinese Arrivals Prompt Tourism Infrastructure Development
More mega-projects are coming to Laos to accommodate the rising number of Chinese tourists, according to the Vientiane Times. In the first three months of this year, 221,800 Chinese visited Laos, a 32 percent leap over the same period last year. More than 639,180 Chinese visited Laos last year, a 17 percent jump over 2016, and the numbers are expected to rise. This ongoing rise in arrivals has prompted Chinese firms to invest in tourism-related infrastructure projects in several provinces to draw more Chinese visitors. The Deputy Head of Vang Vieng’s office of information, culture and tourism, Phouvieng Sykaysone, told Vientiane Times that two Chinese firms are conducting a feasibility study for tourism development in the area. Ichin Engineering & Construction Lao Company aims to develop the former Vang Vieng airport after they recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Vientiane provincial authorities. “I’m sure that many more Chinese visitors will come to Laos in the next five to 10 years after the completion of the railway project,” Mr Sykaysone said. Earlier in July, Laos Maha Nathi Sithandone (Hong Kong) Investment Company, in partnership with a Lao company, signed a concession agreement with the Lao government to develop a new town in the 4,000 Islands region. The Chinese firm plans to spend US$9 billion to develop infrastructure and tourism-related activities, including hotels and restaurants in the area adjacent to Khonephapheng Waterfall. The company expects to attract 1.3 million visitors annually from around the world by 2025, including Chinese tourists, and 10 million tourists per year by 2050. Chinese companies are also eager to build and expand airports in several Lao provinces, includingn Xieng Khouang and Champasak provinces, to facilitate the growth of tourism in Laos. A Chinese company is currently conducting a feasibility study for developing an airport on the Bolaven Plateau in Champassak. Source: Vientiane Times
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Lao Tourism Faces Reality
The government of Laos is set to revise its expectations for tourism arrivals this year, as it appears unlikely the country will welcome the forecasted 5 million visitor arrivals for 2018, nor will it earn the expected $900 million in tourism revenue. Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith told the 11th Lao Business Forum held on 5 July, that less than 2 million foreign tourists had visited the country in the first 6 months of the year. After two years of declining numbers, the Visit Laos Year 2018 campaign aimed to reverse the trend, and set the target of 5 million visitors after 2017’s arrivals tumbled to 3.86 million in 2017, an 8.73 percent decline from the previous year. “We still face challenges in reaching 5 million visitors as the current figure for mid-year is not even touching two million,” the Prime Minister said, and he expressed hopes the upcoming high season would push numbers closer to previous expectations. The tourism industry’s share of Laos’ GDP stood at 13.7 percent of GDP, in 2017. This lags behind neighbouring Cambodia at 28.3 percent and Thailand at 20.6 percent. The Lao government has repeatedly said it is committed to prioritising tourism development, as it plays a vital role in job creation, community development, and incentivising environmental protection measures. There are also plans to introduce an e-visa option next year to replace the visa-on-arrival procedure and simplify entry requirements for potential visitors. Source: Investine
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New & Cool in Luang Prabang: Le Calao Restaurant
The L’Elephant family of fine dining restaurants in Luang Prabang opened the doors to Le Calao in October 2017, to present authentic royal cuisine and traditional Lao, ethnic, and seasonal dishes. Le Calao was born from a wish to keep track of all the authentic recipes from Laos. The restaurant stalwartly maintains an extended menu presenting a complete selection of all former royal table dishes. Le Calao’s menu also features a sizeable selection of offerings using traditional ethnic recipes. The restaurant work with the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre to ensure the authenticity of the dishes, and alters the menu with the seasons to follow the cultural traditions. World travellers have long recognized Luang Prabang’s refined gastronomy, which relates to the UNESCO city’s status as the Lao Kingdom’s ancient capital. To maintain this status, the restaurant imports fine-dining food and ingredients, while the area’s lush vegetation brings multiple opportunities to enrich Lao dishes and recipes. The Mekong’s large fish population provides a major source of protein for many local dishes. The “Mother River” also adds interesting riverweed snacks to the menu. Le Calao sits in a World Heritage Site-listed building on the Peninsula’s main road, which dates to 1904.The restaurant presents multiple indoor and outdoor dining options including private saloons and air-conditioned dining rooms. The restaurant’s multiple terraces facing the Mekong present the perfect venue for hosting parties and holding meetings. Le Calao also offers a selection of appropriate fine Western wines to match their fare, a range of spirits, as well as cigars for those who wish to indulge in excellent tobacco. As part of “Secret Retreats/ Secret Tables”, Le Calao is eyeing a dining cruise with the Satri Hotel’s boat, as it is docked down the stairs to the Mekong, directly across the street from the restaurant. With the development of tourism and the arrival of Western food, some of the traditional dishes are no longer featured in restaurants menus, but Le Calao has changed that. Other offspring of L’Elephant family include the original L’Elephant Restaurant, Coconut Garden, Bistro Ban Vat Sène, and Elephant Vert. Visit Le Calao
