VIENTIANE, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Laos has been intensifying its efforts to boost tourism and promote sustainable growth, as the country has experienced a remarkable surge in both domestic and international visitors in 2024.
The Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has unveiled an ambitious tourism development plan for 2026-2030. The strategy aims to expand tourism across Laos' northern, central and southern regions, focusing on improving infrastructure and services at key tourist destinations.
Sounaly, a small cafe owner in Vang Vieng, a tourism town in Vientiane province, was optimistic about the growth of tourism in Laos. She believed that tourism has become a crucial driver for local businesses like hers.
"The growing number of tourists has had a positive impact on the country's economy and local businesses, especially small businesses like mine. Tourism growth has helped us expand our business, and we've been able to hire more staff, which is a great benefit to the local community," Sounaly told Xinhua on Friday.
To attract more visitors, Sounaly has made several improvements to her cafe, including creating better vibe and providing comfortable seating for tourists.
"The tourism boom has been noticeable, especially during the Visit Laos Year 2024 tourism promotion campaign, as more international visitors came to Laos. The growing influx of tourists has opened up new opportunities to improve services and attract more customers," said Thiphaphone, a receptionist at a hotel in southern Laos' Champasak province.
"I think that as tourism is booming, it's important to continue developing our services while maintaining warmth and hospitality. by this way, more visitors will come back, which is great for everyone," she added.
Thiphaphone stressed that the government should continue investing in infrastructure to ensure that Laos remains an attractive and eco-friendly destination for future travelers.
Phonesavanh, a food vendor in the Lao capital Vientiane, was adapting to meet an increasing demand from foreign visitors.
"I'm working to expand the menu to offer a variety of local dishes that tourists might not have tried before. More importantly, I'm focusing on quality by using fresh ingredients to ensure that every dish is delicious and safe," he said.
To establish Laos as a top tourist destination in 2025, the ministry has planned to continue utilizing media campaigns to provide accurate and timely tourism information. Additionally, the ministry will collaborate with the private sector to organize major events to boost the country's international profile.
The Lao government hopes to attract 4.3 million international tourists in 2025, with expectations to generate over 1 billion U.S. dollars in revenue. ■
