As part of its efforts to support the recovery of the tourism sector, Tripadvisor has today announced the winners of its 18th annual Travelers’ Choice Awards.
Each year, Tripadvisor puts together all the reviews, ratings, and saves that travelers share from across the globe and uses the information to spotlight the best.
This major award program recognizes the favorite hotels, restaurants, and airlines of travelers around the world, with 4,817 unique businesses celebrated in 2020.
With over 8.7 million businesses listed on Tripadvisor, winners have been determined based on the consistency and quantity of the millions of comments, feedback, and ratings received on Tripadvisor in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lao Airlines shared its top regional airline status with THAI Smile Airways, Air Astana, AIR KBZ, Azerbaijan Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Druk Air, Royal Brunei Airlines, Skymark Airlines, Starflyer, and Vistara.
The top review shared by Tripadvisor for Lao Airlines was by Tripadvisor user Mike1946, which read,
“EXCELLENT FLIGHT, AND SERVICE AND SPOTLESSLY CLEAN PLANE.”
“Although only a short flight it was an excellent one, with a spotlessly clean plane, excellent service from the crew. No delays, and very good check-in and check out.”Lao Airlines appointed Mr. Khamla Phommavanh as its new president in April, with a handover ceremony held at Lao Airlines headquarters.It is expected that Mr. Khamla will steer the airline through the Covid-19 crises, and revamp and revitalize the airline as international flights begin to restart.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Lao-Airlines-Wins-Tripadvisor-Travelers-Choice-Award-1.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2020-08-10 15:36:092020-08-10 15:37:55Lao Airlines Among Tripadvisor Award Winners for Best Regional Airlines
Thai energy giant BCPG Public Company has announced plans to develop ASEAN’s largest wind farm in Laos, capitalizing on rising demand for energy in the region.
The firm has announced that it will invest USD 840 million to build the facility, with a capacity of 600 megawatts, on 64,000 hectares in southern Laos.
The wind farm, located near the Mekong River across from Ubon Ratchathani, is expected to generate electricity for sale to Vietnam’s state-run Electricity Vietnam (EVN).
According to a report by Bangkok Post, president and chief executive Bundit Sapianchai said his company plans to sign a power purchase agreement with EVN this October to kick start the project, named “Swan”.
BCPG has invested in the project through its subsidiary company, Impact Energy Asia Development Co, which holds 45% ownership, while the other 55% is held by Impact Electrons Siam.
After signing, construction of the project will commence, and it is expected to be operational by 2023.
Citing an agreement between Laos and Vietnam for the trade of energy between the two nations, Mr. Bundit Sapianchai says BCPG took over the 114MW Nam San 3A and 3B from a company in Laos in order to sell electricity to EVN.
The rapid expansion of BCPG is aimed at offsetting a decline in sales as adder tariffs are expected to expire in 2023 and 2024 for its 11 solar farms in Thailand, meaning the company will lose revenue without its current benefit when selling power back to the grid.
Instead, it has begun to invest heavily in Laos and Japan.
BCPG was established in 2015 after spinning off from Bangchak Corporation. The Company was listed on the stock exchange market in 2016.
“Through five years of stable and sustainable growth, BCPG has been keen on business expansion in the clean energy business to create value for every sector. Experiences and expertise gained from the investments in various countries will definitely bring about the Company’s growth over 75% in the next five years” said, Mr. Bundit.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Thai-firm-to-build-biggest-wind-farm-in-Laos.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2020-07-30 14:43:352020-07-30 14:43:41Thai Firm Keen to Construct ASEAN’s Largest Wind Farm in Laos
Lao Prime Minister Thongoun Sisoulith has advised the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism to use its time wisely in refurbishing and upgrading tourism sites in preparation for the country’s reopening after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The PM made the recommendation as he chaired the government ordinary meeting session held by video conference on 23 April.
With the tourism sector in almost complete shutdown due to the pandemic, the PM’s suggestion is in line with advice given by the National Economic Research Institute (NERI), which submitted a report suggesting the government promote greater investment in tourism.
The paper by NERI advised the government to use tourism downtime wisely by investing in the sector in preparation for future tourism by upgrading tourist attractions and boosting services to ensure they meet international standards.
According to some estimates, Laos’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to rise by only 3.3 percent in 2020 – the lowest rate in three and a half decades.
Tourist sites nationwide have been temporarily shut down, with international borders closed and flights grounded. Employees across the tourism sector are finding themselves unemployed or working one month on and one month off at best.
According to NERI, earnings of over USD 450,000 were lost during the first two months of this year when visitors from Laos’ major markets, China and Thailand, dropped by 16 and 5 percent, respectively.
Tourism is a key driver of the economy in Laos, making up some 13 percent of the country’s GDP.
The country has 1,314 officially listed natural sites, 591 cultural sites, and 294 historical sites, according to the Vientiane Times. Of these, 809 were operational at the beginning of this year, with a further 587 tourism sites under development.
Lao Airlines Among Tripadvisor Award Winners for Best Regional Airlines
Lao Airlines has been rated one of the top regional airlines in Asia as part of the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards this year.
National carrier of Laos, Lao Airlines, is among the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awardwinners under the Best Regional Airline category.
As part of its efforts to support the recovery of the tourism sector, Tripadvisor has today announced the winners of its 18th annual Travelers’ Choice Awards.
Each year, Tripadvisor puts together all the reviews, ratings, and saves that travelers share from across the globe and uses the information to spotlight the best.
This major award program recognizes the favorite hotels, restaurants, and airlines of travelers around the world, with 4,817 unique businesses celebrated in 2020.
With over 8.7 million businesses listed on Tripadvisor, winners have been determined based on the consistency and quantity of the millions of comments, feedback, and ratings received on Tripadvisor in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lao Airlines shared its top regional airline status with THAI Smile Airways, Air Astana, AIR KBZ, Azerbaijan Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Druk Air, Royal Brunei Airlines, Skymark Airlines, Starflyer, and Vistara.
The top review shared by Tripadvisor for Lao Airlines was by Tripadvisor user Mike1946, which read,
“Although only a short flight it was an excellent one, with a spotlessly clean plane, excellent service from the crew. No delays, and very good check-in and check out.”Lao Airlines appointed Mr. Khamla Phommavanh as its new president in April, with a handover ceremony held at Lao Airlines headquarters.It is expected that Mr. Khamla will steer the airline through the Covid-19 crises, and revamp and revitalize the airline as international flights begin to restart.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2020/08/04/lao-airlines-among-tripadvisor-award-winners-for-best-regional-airlines/
Thai Firm Keen to Construct ASEAN’s Largest Wind Farm in Laos
Thai energy giant BCPG Public Company has announced plans to develop ASEAN’s largest wind farm in Laos, capitalizing on rising demand for energy in the region.
The firm has announced that it will invest USD 840 million to build the facility, with a capacity of 600 megawatts, on 64,000 hectares in southern Laos.
The wind farm, located near the Mekong River across from Ubon Ratchathani, is expected to generate electricity for sale to Vietnam’s state-run Electricity Vietnam (EVN).
While feasibility studies identified sufficient winds in the area as early as 2015, the return on investment remained an obstacle until recently.
According to a report by Bangkok Post, president and chief executive Bundit Sapianchai said his company plans to sign a power purchase agreement with EVN this October to kick start the project, named “Swan”.
BCPG has invested in the project through its subsidiary company, Impact Energy Asia Development Co, which holds 45% ownership, while the other 55% is held by Impact Electrons Siam.
After signing, construction of the project will commence, and it is expected to be operational by 2023.
Citing an agreement between Laos and Vietnam for the trade of energy between the two nations, Mr. Bundit Sapianchai says BCPG took over the 114MW Nam San 3A and 3B from a company in Laos in order to sell electricity to EVN.
The rapid expansion of BCPG is aimed at offsetting a decline in sales as adder tariffs are expected to expire in 2023 and 2024 for its 11 solar farms in Thailand, meaning the company will lose revenue without its current benefit when selling power back to the grid.
Instead, it has begun to invest heavily in Laos and Japan.
BCPG was established in 2015 after spinning off from Bangchak Corporation. The Company was listed on the stock exchange market in 2016.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2020/07/29/thai-firm-keen-to-construct-aseans-largest-wind-farm-in-laos/
Prime Minister Thongloun Advises Preparing Tourism Sector
The PM made the recommendation as he chaired the government ordinary meeting session held by video conference on 23 April.
With the tourism sector in almost complete shutdown due to the pandemic, the PM’s suggestion is in line with advice given by the National Economic Research Institute (NERI), which submitted a report suggesting the government promote greater investment in tourism.
The paper by NERI advised the government to use tourism downtime wisely by investing in the sector in preparation for future tourism by upgrading tourist attractions and boosting services to ensure they meet international standards.
According to some estimates, Laos’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to rise by only 3.3 percent in 2020 – the lowest rate in three and a half decades.
Tourist sites nationwide have been temporarily shut down, with international borders closed and flights grounded. Employees across the tourism sector are finding themselves unemployed or working one month on and one month off at best.
According to NERI, earnings of over USD 450,000 were lost during the first two months of this year when visitors from Laos’ major markets, China and Thailand, dropped by 16 and 5 percent, respectively.
Tourism is a key driver of the economy in Laos, making up some 13 percent of the country’s GDP.
The country has 1,314 officially listed natural sites, 591 cultural sites, and 294 historical sites, according to the Vientiane Times. Of these, 809 were operational at the beginning of this year, with a further 587 tourism sites under development.
The Lao Hotel and Restaurant Association, representing the country’s 637 hotels, met with Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphadone last week to discuss the situation and find potential solutions.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2020/04/28/prime-minster-thongloun-advises-preparing-tourism-sector/