ASEAN tourism ministers announced the reopening of tourism in the region at the close of the ASEAN Tourism Forum held in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
During the forum, tourism ministers from each ASEAN nation revealed their shared strategy to boost regional tourism recovery.
The region has seen a decline in tourism of over 200%, with the Covid-19 pandemic causing the loss of millions of jobs and business closures due to stringent travel restrictions, TTR Weekly reports.
At the forum, ministers highlighted the need to quickly launch domestic tourism campaigns in each of the ten countries, as well as easing border controls to encourage regional tourism among ASEAN member states.
Tourism ministers and representatives at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2022.
Member countries proposed the establishment of dedicated ASEAN travel gates at border checkpoints as well as shared digital vaccination cards in a format recognized by all ten countries.
At the same time, ministers emphasized the need to ensure tourism operators are compliant with ASEAN hygiene and safety guidelines.
Meanwhile, Cambodian Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon, announced the adoption of the New ASEAN Tourism Logo and ASEAN Safe Travel Stamp “Safe and Warm” as part of the plans to support tourism recovery.
Despite optimistic reopening declarations, however, experts say strict travel restrictions continue to hinder the revival of tourism in several ASEAN nations, including Laos, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
While tourism ministers have counted on a resumption of travel from China, Japan, and Korea in the next six months, China has yet to make a move signaling it will allow outbound travel in the near future.
According to the World Tourism Organization, tourism arrivals around the world are not expected to return to their pre-pandemic levels until 2024 at the earliest.
“The pace of recovery remains slow and uneven across world regions due to varying degrees of mobility restrictions, vaccination rates, and traveler confidence,” the UNWTO said in a press release.
A new notice issued by the Prime Minister’s Office has instructed authorities to consider easing certain Covid measures, including restrictions on entry to the country.
The notice, issued yesterday by the Prime Minister’s Office and signed off by Head of the Prime Minister’s Office, Khamchen Vongphosy, asks authorities to consider easing restrictions on entry to the country for certain visitors, as well as opening up more businesses to help the local economy recover.
According to the notice, the Prime Minister’s Office has authorized the Green Travel Zone reopening plan to continue, while instructing the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control to study the Omicron and Delta variants and ensure that the country’s health system will be able to cope in case of an influx of cases.
The notice proposes authorities consider relaxing measures for entry to Laos by certain groups, including businesspeople, employees, entrepreneurs, and others, in order to better encourage business and investment.
According to the notice, authorities have also been asked to look into easing measures for certain business activities to help the economy recover.
The notice states, however, that such eased measures must absolutely not include entertainment venues, pubs, bars, or nightclubs, which it says are known to facilitate the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the community.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) told the National Taskforce it had received an overwhelming number of requests from embassies and consulates requesting that their country be added to the list of 31 countries permitted to enter Laos under the reopening plan.
At the same time, MOFA suggested that in order to better facilitate entry for visitors, certain Covid-19 prevention measures and other regulations regarding the issuance of visas should be abolished.
The proposal also proposed reopening Wattay International Airport and the Friendship Bridge to Nong Khai, paving the way for future free and independent travel.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Wattay-Airport-Laos-696x364-1.jpg364696Kookkaihttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpKookkai2022-01-25 14:32:022022-01-25 14:32:06Laos Considers Easing Restrictions on Entrance Visas
The theme of the 3rd ASTA held for 2022-2023 is “Safe Tourism,” according to Visit Southeast Asia, the official ASEAN travel website.
Tad Yuang Waterfall received the award due to the success of the development of sustainable tourist attractions surrounding the waterfall.
The waterfall is a popular tourist attraction because of its location surrounded by lush greenery, where visitors can observe the daily lives of local people.
The site received major improvements to facilities as part of the Lao Thiao Lao domestic tourism campaign launched in 2020 to promote tourism and boost the local economy.
Authorities have encouraged communities living near the waterfall to produce organic vegetables and other products for sale to visitors and are promoting local customs and traditions to attract visitors and help local people increase their incomes.
The 42-meter Tad Yuang Waterfall features an observation area at the top, middle, and bottom of the falls. A route may be followed around the side to access several viewpoint locations for visitors.
There are also some well-kept picnic sites at the top of the waterfall that are popular with residents.
According to the Champasacl Provincial Culture and Tourism Department, particular attention has been paid to Covid-19 prevention and control measures, ensuring the safety of visitors.
ASEAN Tourism Reopens Amid Renewed Challenges
ASEAN tourism ministers announced the reopening of tourism in the region at the close of the ASEAN Tourism Forum held in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
During the forum, tourism ministers from each ASEAN nation revealed their shared strategy to boost regional tourism recovery.
The region has seen a decline in tourism of over 200%, with the Covid-19 pandemic causing the loss of millions of jobs and business closures due to stringent travel restrictions, TTR Weekly reports.
At the forum, ministers highlighted the need to quickly launch domestic tourism campaigns in each of the ten countries, as well as easing border controls to encourage regional tourism among ASEAN member states.
Member countries proposed the establishment of dedicated ASEAN travel gates at border checkpoints as well as shared digital vaccination cards in a format recognized by all ten countries.
At the same time, ministers emphasized the need to ensure tourism operators are compliant with ASEAN hygiene and safety guidelines.
Meanwhile, Cambodian Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon, announced the adoption of the New ASEAN Tourism Logo and ASEAN Safe Travel Stamp “Safe and Warm” as part of the plans to support tourism recovery.
Despite optimistic reopening declarations, however, experts say strict travel restrictions continue to hinder the revival of tourism in several ASEAN nations, including Laos, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
While tourism ministers have counted on a resumption of travel from China, Japan, and Korea in the next six months, China has yet to make a move signaling it will allow outbound travel in the near future.
According to the World Tourism Organization, tourism arrivals around the world are not expected to return to their pre-pandemic levels until 2024 at the earliest.
“The pace of recovery remains slow and uneven across world regions due to varying degrees of mobility restrictions, vaccination rates, and traveler confidence,” the UNWTO said in a press release.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2022/01/22/asean-tourism-reopens-amid-renewed-challenges/
Laos Considers Easing Restrictions on Entrance Visas
A new notice issued by the Prime Minister’s Office has instructed authorities to consider easing certain Covid measures, including restrictions on entry to the country.
The notice, issued yesterday by the Prime Minister’s Office and signed off by Head of the Prime Minister’s Office, Khamchen Vongphosy, asks authorities to consider easing restrictions on entry to the country for certain visitors, as well as opening up more businesses to help the local economy recover.
According to the notice, the Prime Minister’s Office has authorized the Green Travel Zone reopening plan to continue, while instructing the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control to study the Omicron and Delta variants and ensure that the country’s health system will be able to cope in case of an influx of cases.
The notice proposes authorities consider relaxing measures for entry to Laos by certain groups, including businesspeople, employees, entrepreneurs, and others, in order to better encourage business and investment.
According to the notice, authorities have also been asked to look into easing measures for certain business activities to help the economy recover.
The notice states, however, that such eased measures must absolutely not include entertainment venues, pubs, bars, or nightclubs, which it says are known to facilitate the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the community.
The notice comes after a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week urging the National Taskforce to consider easing certain restrictions on entrance visas to Laos.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) told the National Taskforce it had received an overwhelming number of requests from embassies and consulates requesting that their country be added to the list of 31 countries permitted to enter Laos under the reopening plan.
At the same time, MOFA suggested that in order to better facilitate entry for visitors, certain Covid-19 prevention measures and other regulations regarding the issuance of visas should be abolished.
The proposal also proposed reopening Wattay International Airport and the Friendship Bridge to Nong Khai, paving the way for future free and independent travel.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2022/01/21/laos-considers-easing-restrictions-on-entrance-visas/
Tad Yuang Waterfall Wins ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award
Tad Yuang Waterfall in Champasack Province has received an ASEAN sustainable tourism award this year.
The award will be presented to officials from Laos during the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) held in Cambodia this week, Laopost reports.
The 3rd ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Awards (ASTA) are held every two years in support of the implementation of ASEAN’s Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025.
The theme of the 3rd ASTA held for 2022-2023 is “Safe Tourism,” according to Visit Southeast Asia, the official ASEAN travel website.
Tad Yuang Waterfall received the award due to the success of the development of sustainable tourist attractions surrounding the waterfall.
The waterfall is a popular tourist attraction because of its location surrounded by lush greenery, where visitors can observe the daily lives of local people.
The site received major improvements to facilities as part of the Lao Thiao Lao domestic tourism campaign launched in 2020 to promote tourism and boost the local economy.
Authorities have encouraged communities living near the waterfall to produce organic vegetables and other products for sale to visitors and are promoting local customs and traditions to attract visitors and help local people increase their incomes.
The 42-meter Tad Yuang Waterfall features an observation area at the top, middle, and bottom of the falls. A route may be followed around the side to access several viewpoint locations for visitors.
There are also some well-kept picnic sites at the top of the waterfall that are popular with residents.
According to the Champasacl Provincial Culture and Tourism Department, particular attention has been paid to Covid-19 prevention and control measures, ensuring the safety of visitors.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2022/01/19/tad-yuang-waterfall-wins-asean-sustainable-tourism-award/