(KPL) By the year of 2007, the tourism sectors has grown up steadily which created revenue for the country almost 26 percent per, said Mr Soukhaseum Phothisane, Vice Chairman of Lao National Tourism Authority to the media on 27 December.

He added that there were 1.3 million foreign tourists arrival Laos during 10 months, growing 900,000 people over last year figure, about 37 percent increased compared to the same previous of last year. About 1,400,000 tourists are expected to come to visit Laos at the end of this year, which will provide a benefit to the country about US$ 200 million...more

According to Mr. Soukhaseum, the service sector is now improving its facilities to serve their clients including hotel, guesthouse, and restaurant and tourist sites. In other hand, the handicraft products by ethnic people is also encouraged to display at the various activities in domestic and foreign countries including Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Japan.

In addition, Lao government also plans to upgrade the communication and transportation system in grass root level in order to attract more tourists. This included the road from Km 20 to Konglor cave, Luang-Namtha Airport, and other roads to the new tourist sites.

Go together with the tourism administration office improvement in the provincial level, the government will also build the awareness on how importance of tourism to the social-economic development.

Source: kpl

Photo: Kayak in Vang vieng, Laos.

(KPL) Tourism sector attracted over 1.2 million tourists last year, increased by 11% from the year before.

President of National Tourism Administration, Mr Somphong Mongkhonvilay said “2006 was another year the tourism sector has kept its constant growth.”
Last year, the revenue raised by tourism sector was US$ 173.2 million, equivalent to five percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP).
Forty-five tour companies were registered last year, while the number of guesthouses and hotels was increased by 17%. There are over 2,100 guesthouses and hotels nationwide.

“The constant growth of tourism sector in the recent years is due to the certain tourism promotion policy of the government,” said Mr Somphong. “The government has invested in the development of tourism infrastructure such as airports and roads accessing provinces and neighbouring countries. In addition basic facilities have been built to meet the demand of tourists.”
Laos has exempted visas for visitors from eight ASEAN member countries, and a non ASEAN country Japan.