Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has met with operators of the Boten Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in northern Laos’ Luang Namtha province to discuss tourism-related preparations for Laos’ chairmanship of ASEAN and Visit Laos Year 2024.
PM Sonexay visited Boten last week where he inspected the management of the Boten International Checkpoint between China and Laos and learned about the zone’s overall development.
The Lao leader said that the zone, which covers three land border crossings between Luang Namtha Province, Laos, and Yunnan Province, China, is a key part of the rapidly growing economic cooperation between the two countries, according to Lao Security News.
While monitoring existing facilities, PM Sonexay stressed that the zone should improve its infrastructure, including tourism-related activities, to attract more tourists.
He specifically mentioned the need for improved facilities at the border crossing, such as an immigration building and booths, a section for the entry of trucks and privately owned cars, a goods checkpoint, and immigration facilities for passengers on the Laos-China Railway.
The number of Chinese tourists visiting Laos has been growing steadily since the start of the year, due to the Lao government’s prioritization of boosting the tourism sector and the Laos-China Railway, which has become a vital piece of tourism infrastructure.
Lao authorities estimate that around 368,000 Chinese travelers will visit Laos in 2023, a 21 percent increase from last year.
Additionally, the Visit Laos Year 2024 tourism promotion campaign is expected to be launched in November, with the goal of attracting at least 4.6 million foreign and Lao tourists in 2024.
Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, welcomed 779,811 tourists in the first nine months of 2023, an increase of 121.49 percent, or 427,738 visitors, compared to the same period last year, with domestic tourists accounting for 177,596 of the total figures.
Mrs. Soudaphone Khomthavong, Director of Luang Prabang’s Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism, said that the province is a popular tourist destination for both domestic and foreign visitors, offering a variety of natural, historical, and cultural attractions.
Ms. Soudaphone highlighted some popular tourist destinations in Luang Prabang, such as Kuang Si Falls, Wat Xieng Thong, Mount Phousi, temples, museums, Tham Ting Cave, and Green Jungle Park which have seen a surge in the number of visitors this year. In addition to its tourist attractions, she said that the province also offers unique cultural experiences, such as traditional clothing, food, and local lifestyle which are of interest to people visiting the province.
Soudaphone revealed that Luang Prabang has 228 tourist attractions, including 111 natural attractions, 78 cultural attractions, and 39 historical attractions.
“The province also offers a variety of facilities, including 97 hotels and resorts, 400 guesthouses, 311 restaurants, 97 travel companies, 19 entertainment stores, 36 massage and spa shops, and 553 national tour guides,” she said.
Mrs. Soudaphone added that the provincial authorities are currently preparing for the upcoming Visit Laos Year 2024, anticipating an even higher number of visitors compared to this year.
“In preparation for Visit Laos Year 2024, the provincial authorities are increasing advertising and promotion of tourism through various media, improving tourism resources, and creating favorable conditions to attract more foreign tourists,” she said.
The province expects to attract over a million visitors by the end of 2023 and close to three million visitors by 2024, with its outstanding natural, historical, and cultural attractions seeing footfalls from even more domestic and foreign tourists.
Earlier, the province recorded tourist arrivals of over 437,000 visitors in the first five months of 2023, with over 396,000 of them being international tourists.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9-10.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-10-25 14:01:412023-10-25 14:01:44Luang Prabang Tourism Booms as Province Welcomes Over 779,000 Visitors Until September
Southern provinces showcase tourist drawcards Four southern provinces in cooperation with local businesses are staging a programme of events to promote tourism and attract more visitors from around Laos and other countries.
The promotional activities are taking place on February 16-17 in Xekong province.
Head of the Xekong provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Mr Bouxay Xaysasane, told the Vientiane Times that the activities comprise sports contests between the provinces of Attapeu, Champassak, Xekong and Saravan, and market fairs to sell agricultural produce and handicrafts from the four provinces.
Provincial authorities are also organising a food festival selling food items made by local ethnic groups and producers accredited to the One District, One Product scheme, which is taking place from February 14-18.
Following a meeting, representatives from Attapeu, Champassak, Xekong and Saravan provinces visited popular tourist attractions and local villages.
The events mark the first time these provinces have combined forces to actively shared lessons learned in the development of tourism.
The aim is to strengthen provincial connectivity and draw more tourists to the southern provinces and the plateau region, using the area’s scenic splendours as the main drawcard.
Attapeu takes pride in its waterfalls, especially Tad Xepha, Tad Samongphak, Tad Xeponglay and Tad Phapong, and Nong Fa Lake, which is famous for its deep blue water.
Saravan province boasts scenic wonders such as Loc, Mayhia, Soung, Saen and Kaengkou waterfalls, as well as Phouphasouk Park with its waterfalls, nine caves and Pha Taem Phou Lahit hill.
Visitors to Champassak can make good use of adventure activities such as trekking and zip-lining, as well as enjoy organic produce from the Bolaven Plateau, including coffee.
Xekong province is famed for the Nokkhao, Faek and Huakhon waterfalls, and for its local food including cucumber salad and products made from Indian gooseberries. By Vientiane Times Reporters (Latest Update February 17, 2023)
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Southern-Laos-at-its-best.jpg15362048Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-10-10 11:10:002023-10-10 11:09:51Southern Laos at its best
Lao PM Urges Boten SEZ to Improve Infrastructure and Attract More Tourists
Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has met with operators of the Boten Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in northern Laos’ Luang Namtha province to discuss tourism-related preparations for Laos’ chairmanship of ASEAN and Visit Laos Year 2024.
PM Sonexay visited Boten last week where he inspected the management of the Boten International Checkpoint between China and Laos and learned about the zone’s overall development.
The Lao leader said that the zone, which covers three land border crossings between Luang Namtha Province, Laos, and Yunnan Province, China, is a key part of the rapidly growing economic cooperation between the two countries, according to Lao Security News.
While monitoring existing facilities, PM Sonexay stressed that the zone should improve its infrastructure, including tourism-related activities, to attract more tourists.
He specifically mentioned the need for improved facilities at the border crossing, such as an immigration building and booths, a section for the entry of trucks and privately owned cars, a goods checkpoint, and immigration facilities for passengers on the Laos-China Railway.
The number of Chinese tourists visiting Laos has been growing steadily since the start of the year, due to the Lao government’s prioritization of boosting the tourism sector and the Laos-China Railway, which has become a vital piece of tourism infrastructure.
Lao authorities estimate that around 368,000 Chinese travelers will visit Laos in 2023, a 21 percent increase from last year.
Additionally, the Visit Laos Year 2024 tourism promotion campaign is expected to be launched in November, with the goal of attracting at least 4.6 million foreign and Lao tourists in 2024.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/09/28/lao-pm-urges-boten-sez-to-improve-infrastructure-and-attract-more-tourists/
Luang Prabang Tourism Booms as Province Welcomes Over 779,000 Visitors Until September
Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, welcomed 779,811 tourists in the first nine months of 2023, an increase of 121.49 percent, or 427,738 visitors, compared to the same period last year, with domestic tourists accounting for 177,596 of the total figures.
Mrs. Soudaphone Khomthavong, Director of Luang Prabang’s Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism, said that the province is a popular tourist destination for both domestic and foreign visitors, offering a variety of natural, historical, and cultural attractions.
Ms. Soudaphone highlighted some popular tourist destinations in Luang Prabang, such as Kuang Si Falls, Wat Xieng Thong, Mount Phousi, temples, museums, Tham Ting Cave, and Green Jungle Park which have seen a surge in the number of visitors this year. In addition to its tourist attractions, she said that the province also offers unique cultural experiences, such as traditional clothing, food, and local lifestyle which are of interest to people visiting the province.
Soudaphone revealed that Luang Prabang has 228 tourist attractions, including 111 natural attractions, 78 cultural attractions, and 39 historical attractions.
“The province also offers a variety of facilities, including 97 hotels and resorts, 400 guesthouses, 311 restaurants, 97 travel companies, 19 entertainment stores, 36 massage and spa shops, and 553 national tour guides,” she said.
Mrs. Soudaphone added that the provincial authorities are currently preparing for the upcoming Visit Laos Year 2024, anticipating an even higher number of visitors compared to this year.
“In preparation for Visit Laos Year 2024, the provincial authorities are increasing advertising and promotion of tourism through various media, improving tourism resources, and creating favorable conditions to attract more foreign tourists,” she said.
The province expects to attract over a million visitors by the end of 2023 and close to three million visitors by 2024, with its outstanding natural, historical, and cultural attractions seeing footfalls from even more domestic and foreign tourists.
Earlier, the province recorded tourist arrivals of over 437,000 visitors in the first five months of 2023, with over 396,000 of them being international tourists.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/09/29/luang-prabang-tourism-booms-in-2023-welcomes-over-779000-visitors-in-first-9-months/
Southern Laos at its best
Southern provinces showcase tourist drawcards
Four southern provinces in cooperation with local businesses are staging a programme of events to promote tourism and attract more visitors from around Laos and other countries.
The promotional activities are taking place on February 16-17 in Xekong province.
Head of the Xekong provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Mr Bouxay Xaysasane, told the Vientiane Times that the activities comprise sports contests between the provinces of Attapeu, Champassak, Xekong and Saravan, and market fairs to sell agricultural produce and handicrafts from the four provinces.
Provincial authorities are also organising a food festival selling food items made by local ethnic groups and producers accredited to the One District, One Product scheme, which is taking place from February 14-18.
Following a meeting, representatives from Attapeu, Champassak, Xekong and Saravan provinces visited popular tourist attractions and local villages.
The events mark the first time these provinces have combined forces to actively shared lessons learned in the development of tourism.
The aim is to strengthen provincial connectivity and draw more tourists to the southern provinces and the plateau region, using the area’s scenic splendours as the main drawcard.
Attapeu takes pride in its waterfalls, especially Tad Xepha, Tad Samongphak, Tad Xeponglay and Tad Phapong, and Nong Fa Lake, which is famous for its deep blue water.
Saravan province boasts scenic wonders such as Loc, Mayhia, Soung, Saen and Kaengkou waterfalls, as well as Phouphasouk Park with its waterfalls, nine caves and Pha Taem Phou Lahit hill.
Visitors to Champassak can make good use of adventure activities such as trekking and zip-lining, as well as enjoy organic produce from the Bolaven Plateau, including coffee.
Xekong province is famed for the Nokkhao, Faek and Huakhon waterfalls, and for its local food including cucumber salad and products made from Indian gooseberries.
By Vientiane Times Reporters
(Latest Update February 17, 2023)
source: https://wearelao.com/blog/create-blog-entry-612