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
