Laos Continues to Raise Tourism Standardsto Attract Visitors

The Lao government and tourism-relatedbusinesses are making all efforts to raise itstourism standards to increase visitor arrivals.

At a meeting held here on Tuesday to reportLaos' Ministry of Information，Culture andTourism's 2023 annual work summary and planfor 2024，Lao Deputy Prime Minister KikeoKhaykhamphithoune advised the public andprivate sectors to form closer links to improvetourist attractions，visitor facilities，and servicesat hotels and restaurants.

Improvements should be made to ensurequality services and develop activities anddiversified tourism products that relate to thecountry's many ethnic groups，as well as developagritourism，he said.

Over the past year，the ministry has madesignificant progress including the development，management and promotion of natural，historical，cultural and agricultural tourism bycreating and rehabilitating infrastructure andtourism facilities，so they meet ASEAN standardsand are more closely integrated with regionalstandards and facilities，said Kikeo.

Lao tourism-related businesses received 52ASEAN Tourism Standard awards at a ceremonyheld here on Tuesday，following a region-wideassessment of facilities' compliance with ASEANtourism standards.

Laos also received 20 ASEAN TourismStandard Awards during the ASEAN TourismForum 2024，which took place in Lao capitalVientiane from Jan.22 to 27.

On Jan.25-26，Lao government officials andbusiness representatives gathered here for theASEAN Tourism Seminar to discuss ways topromote and develop tourism.The seminaropened a platform for academics and tourismexperts from all over the world to exchange newideas in the cooperation and development oftourism in the region and internationally.

The two-day seminar focused on thesustainability of tourism development，the use ofonline social media to advertise tourism，and theuse of the potential of adventure tourism topromote sustainable tourism.

Laos is an intriguing destination for foreignvisitors keen to explore the country's scenicattractions and observe local lifestyles andtraditions.

The government is increasinglyemphasizing the country's potential as a nature-based tourist destination.There are also colorfultraditions to be observed among Laos' manyethnic groups，while ancient temples andhistorical sites are another drawcard.

In a bid to bring more tourists to Laos，thegovernment has launched the Visit Laos Year2024 program，opening up the country to visitorsfrom around the world in the hope that morepeople will discover the wonders of Laos.

Laos' Ministry of Information，Culture andTourism is hoping that more than 6 million Laoand foreign tourists will travel in Laos in 2024.

Source：Xinhua