(KPL) Minister Suansavanh Viyaket outlined the framework while responding to questions from National Assembly members during the Second Ordinary Session of the 10th National Assembly on October 7, 2026.

Under the revised framework, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will handle licensing and related decisions for tourism businesses involving foreign investment and international tour operations. It will also oversee national tour guide card renewals and retain authority to suspend or revoke tourism business licences nationwide when violations of laws and regulations are identified.

Provincial and Vientiane Departments of Culture and Tourism will manage tourism businesses based in their respective localities, except those involving foreign investment and international tour operations. They will also handle provincial and specific-area tour guide card renewals and monitor businesses under their jurisdiction.

District and municipal offices will be responsible for guesthouses, homestays and businesses with registered capital of up to LAK 1 billion, excluding businesses and services reserved for higher-level authorities under the decentralization framework.

The ministry requires all business licences issued at local levels to be coordinated with provincial or Vientiane culture and tourism departments, the industry and commerce sector and other relevant agencies. This is intended to ensure consistent registration, monitoring and inspection.

Minister Suansavanh said the decentralization process has helped local authorities generate revenue from licensing fees and use the funds for local development. However, implementation has also exposed weaknesses in some localities.

Some local authorities have sought greater licensing powers without having sufficient management capacity to independently handle violations and other problems in accordance with the law. In some cases, incidents were not reported through official channels and were instead brought to the authorities' attention through social media.

She said the ministry would continue reviewing the decentralization system to ensure that licensing authority is matched by adequate management capacity, accountability and enforcement at each level.

KPL