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| laos to open up further |
| The opening up of Laos and the staging of ATF 2004 has led the Lao National Tourism Authority (LNTA) to a decision to further relax rules governing the tourism industry. |
 LNTA first vice-chairman, Mr Vang Rattanavong, told TTG Asia ATF Daily: "Following the show, there will be further relaxation of rules, increased facilitation of visas, and we will open the door to foreign joint ventures in tour operations in the country."
He said the government would move ahead with determining the terms of ownership for such joint ventures by this year.
The LNTA hopes to foster the newborn tourism industry while keeping its growth within responsible limits.
LNTA chairman, Mr Somphong Mongkholvilay, said: "We are different from our neighbours and that is our strength. We recognise our advantages over other destinations as our abundance of untouched natural beauty and a culture that visitors can experience in its pure state."
Future emphasis will be placed on culture, history and ecotourism to places such as the Luang Prabang World Heritage Site and the Plain of Jars, which is also a World Heritage candidate. Tourist dollars will be recycled back into the local economy.
Hosting the 23rd ATF has set the stage for the ASEAN Summit in November, which will be held at the Lao Japanese Center now under construction.
Tourism to the country is already expanding and in 2003, Laos had 740,000 overseas visitors, a significant increase on the 100,000 arrivals a decade ago. Mr Somphong sees two main opportunities presented by ATF.
"The first is to show our tourism products to the industry, and second to transform our country into a valued member of ASEAN and a vital part of the regional tourism economy," he said.
The attention brought to Laos by ATF has presented certain challenges for the country, which is unused to accommodating a large influx of tourists.
Upgrades to the information system will be in order, and a freer sharing of information with other ASEAN nations and Europe is one of the major goals. Upgrades on services and infrastructure are in the works and particular attention has been given to road safety in the northern part of Laos, near Luang Prabang.
Another task of LNTA will be to work towards increased co-operation between the government and the private sector, and between Laos and its ASEAN neighbours. |
| Posted on 20 May, 2008, Resource from TTG |
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