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Crowds Flock to Lao Festival in Japan
Thousands of Japanese swooped in on the Lao Festival held in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, from May 26 to 29. The Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism organisd the event to promote Visit Laos Year and raise the profile of Laos. Minister Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara opened the event on May 26 together with senior officials from Japan. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prof. Dr Bosengkham said “This festival is not only taking place to promote Visit Laos Year 2018. It has been held annually and was first organised in 2007. This event is an important festival in strengthening the bonds of friendship between Laos and Japan. It also serves to enhance understanding of both countries’ peoples through cultural performances.” The festival included stage shows, a tourism exhibition, and stalls selling Lao food and souvenirs. The ministry hopes the festival will encourage more people in Japan to visit Laos, with the government setting a target of 5 million foreign tourists and tourism revenue of more than US$900 million this year. According to a 2017 report from the ministry, more than 32,000 Japanese visited Laos in 2017, with the country ranking seventh in terms of tourist numbers. The ministry organised a similar festival in Thailand in January, in the city of Chiang Mai. The event, titled “Lao Night”, was attended by some 500 representatives of Asean member countries and Asean partners. The festival highlighted Laos’ culture, nature and history through performances and an audiovisual presentation. Guests were treated to a visual tour of the country’s landmarks via a large LED screen while also gaining cultural insight through over 30 performances and circus acts. In September, the ministry will also host “Lao Night” in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Source: Vientiane Times
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Vientiane Floats New Plans for Nam Ngum Tourism
Vientiane has plans to develop new tourism services on the Nam Ngum River in Xaythany district, aiming to attract more visitors through nature-based tourism and the local lifestyle. Projects include three boat docks to allow visitors to travel by boat to organic vegetable farms and the Phaithamkor Conservation Park. Director of the Information, Culture and Tourism office in Xaythany district, Mr Boualy Keomanyvanh, told Vientiane Times yesterday the capital’s Information, Culture and Tourism Department and the district had surveyed sites in 23 villages along the Nam Ngum riverbank to collect information and plan activities to promote nature-based tourism and the local lifestyle. The 23 villages include Tha Ngon, Hai, Vernthaen, Thasavang, Thasommor, Latkhuay, Nasala, Thadokkham and others. Authorities also plan to build three boat docks to allow visitors to travel by boat to organic vegetable farms, the Phaithamkor Conservation Park located near Hai village, a forest named Dong Done Kam in Vernthaen village, and areas of natural beauty in the district. Various feasibility studies by investment companies are being considered to select the best proposals for tourism services along the river. The banks of the Nam Ngum are home to several ethnic groups and a National Protected Area of 32 hectares. Visitors can revel in the fresh air and beautiful natural surrounds and get in touch with the local people and their lifestyle, which includes fishing and farming. Source: Vientiane Times
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Lao Tourism Job Numbers Climb
The Lao tourism industry is not only playing a significant role in boosting economic growth, but is also creating a huge number of job opportunities for local people, experts have noted. The United Nations’ World Travel and Tourism Council *WTTC) unveiled its latest report, which states tourism has directly created 114,000 jobs Laos, with related services upping the number to more than 385,000. WTTC expects the sector will directly emple 121,000 staff by 2028, which will represent about 3 percent of total employment. As a whole, tourism and related services have generated over 385,000 jobs in the country, helping to improve per-capita income for the Lao people, particularly the poor. Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Ounthuang Khaophanh, told recently that tourism was one of the top five income earners for Laos, driving economic growth and contributing to poverty alleviation. In addition, tourism has resulted in the improvement of services and infrastructure including roads, as well as the construction of new hotels, restaurants, airports and other facilities. According to a report in The ASEAN Post, improving the tourism sector will certainly help the country gain much needed additional revenue. “The growth of the tourism sector would also be key in developing tourist related infrastructure such as airports and road links,” stated The ASEAN Post. In 2017, the total contribution from travel and tourism to Laos’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was around US$2 billion, which accounted for 13.7 percent of total GDP. This figure is expected to rise to US$3.3 billion by 2028. Source: Somsack Pongkhao, Vientiane Times
