Singkham

(KPL) The Lao government has confirmed that it will continue to work closely with Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam to develop and promote tourism for the benefits of the sub region.

The commitment was made by Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Savankhone Razmountry at the Tourism Ministers’ Meeting of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) in Myanmar on July 30.

“We will continue to cooperate to attract foreign visitors, promote the development of tourism products, and develop human resources and destination linkages among our countries.  For Laos, we will facilitate travel into and within the region, improve the capacity of tourism officials and service providers from the private sector,” said Mr Savankhone.

The deputy minister also pledged to encourage the private sector to become actively involved in tourism activities of CLMV countries while enhancing cooperation with international organisations to obtain technical and financial support for the sustainable development of tourism and joint tourism marketing and promotion efforts of the Four Countries – One Destination campaign.

Mr Savankhone highly valued the bilateral, trilateral, quadrilateral and multilateral cooperation under the CLMV framework, particularly in the promotion of tourism.

“Our cooperation has contributed to the success in the development of tourism products and jointly promoted and marketed tourism products to international markets, as well as enhanced the development of human resources in tourism and their professional capacity, and facilitated sub-regional and intra-regional travel,” he added.

Over the last few years, the Lao government has recorded a very impressive growth of tourism development. Various tourism activities have been organized throughout the whole country.

The country now boasts improved roads and air infrastructure, improved tourist attractions and organised festivals that enhance the appeal of Laos as a tourist destination in the region.

These efforts have led to an impressive growth of tourism in Laos.  In 2015, tourist arrivals reached more than 4.6 million, an increase of 14.52 per cent when compared to 2014.

In the same period, the receipts from international tourism increased from US$641.6 million to US$725.3 million, an increase of 13.04 per cent.

In 2015, the number of visitors from CMV countries to Laos reached 1.2 million, an increase of 7.58 per cent when compared to 2014. Visitors from Cambodia grew up by 34%, Myanmar 23%, and Vietnam 7%.

Laos, the current Chair of ASEAN, has 8 priorities for its ASEAN chairmanship and one of these falls under the tourism sector.

By 2025, ASEAN will be a quality tourism destination offering a unique, diverse ASEAN experience, and will be committed to the responsible, sustainable, inclusive and balanced development of tourism so as to contribute significantly to the socio-economic well-being of the people of ASEAN countries.

KPL