Manythone Keolangsy

(KPL) Luang Prabang Province and Xishuangbanna Prefecture in China’s Yunnan have agreed to boost bilateral cooperation on border tourism by better facilitating the movement of tourists between the two countries.

The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding in Luang Prabang province last Thursday to promote cross-border tourism and facilitate the migration of Chinese tourists to Laos.

The deal, which aims to promote and develop the tourism sector between Laos and China along common borders via better facilities and improving safety for tourists and arrivals, was inked by Vice Luang Prabang Governor, Vongsavanh Thephachan and Vice Governor of Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Mr Lui Yongher.

The number of arrivals during 2016 to the World Heritage Town of Luang Prabang rose by more than 601,000, of which over 500,000 were China. This year is expected to increase even more.

Over the past years, Laos has enjoyed consistent and impressive growth in the number of tourists visiting the country.

The country recorded 4.6 million international arrivals in 2015, a rise of 13 per cent when compared to the previous year.

Laos and China have two international border-crossing checkpoints and six local crossing checkpoints.

KPL