Lao tourist operators urged to accommodate growing number of Chinese visitors
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The Lao Association of Travel Agencies (LATA) is encouraging northern tourism operators to expand their accommodation and other facilities to meet the increasing demand from foreign self-drive tourists.
The call to improve conditions, including Chinese language ability, was made after more than 9,000 Chinese tourists arrived in Luang Prabang in private vehicles for the recent Lunar New Year celebrations.
In an interview with Vientiane Times yesterday, LATA President Mr Somphong Dayviengxay said more facilities were needed in the eight northern provinces to cope with the growing influx of the self-drive visitor market.
For example, he said that sometimes there weren't enough guides, accommodation or parking for Chinese visitors in World Heritage listed Luang Prabang, especially during peak times such as the recent New Year celebrations.
Chinese people like to visit natural and cultural tourist sites, such as waterfalls and old temples.
Last year most visitors to the northern town came from Thailand, with Chinese nationals ranking second. Thai and Chinese citizens have been coming to Luang Prabang in large numbers for several years, according to the provincial tourist office.
Over 400,000 tourists of all nationalities came to the province last year and local authorities hope to boost the number to 700,000 by 2020.
Mr Somphong said the growing number of Chinese visiting Luang Prabang province may constitute the largest number of all nationalities coming to the World Heritage Site in the near future.
“When a very large group arrives, communication with staff in guesthouses, hotels and restaurants can be somewhat troublesome because the Chinese cannot speak English,” he said.
Laos is now conveniently connected to many cities by air and land transport which makes it easy for people to visit the country. It is predicted that the number of foreign visitors will reach 4.6 million by 2016, so transport authorities and tourism bodies need to make sure the transport options available to visitors are safe.
There were 4.3 million international tourist arrivals last year, up 4.88 percent from 4.1 million in 2014. The trips generated US$670 million in revenue, according to a recent report from the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Laos has become a top destination for international visitors due to its intriguing tourist attractions including natural and cultural sites as well as other sightseeing highlights.
According to the ministry's Tourism Development Department, there are now over 1,490 officially listed tourist sites in Laos, but some of them require further development to cater to visitors.//Vientiane Times/Asia News Network
