Luang Prabang - an UNESCO World Heritage site in Laos. (Photo: Xinhua)Vientiane (VNA) – Laos is targeting to attract atleast 2.7 million foreign tourists in 2024 to stimulate post-pandemic economicgrowth, according to authorities.
Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, and TourismOunthuang Khaophan said that the Lao government has given tourism a pivotalrole in its socio-economic development strategy.
Next year is chosen to be Visit Laos Year, which symbolises the country’s robust commitment to revitalise the industry which was heavilyhit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ounthuang said that to accomplish that ambitious goal, theministry is collaborating with central and local authorities to conceptualise adiverse range of activities.
Besides festivals, the ministry is also working toupgrade existing tourist attractions and build new ones to further attractvisitors.
It has organised training courses for tour guides across the countryto help align their skills with the rising demands of the tourism sector.
According to the Tourism Development Department of Laos, thecountry welcomed over 1.67 million foreign visitors in the first half of thisyear, exceeding the target of 1.4 million visitors that the country set for the whole year.
Notably, the number of visitors from the ASEAN countriesaccounted for the majority. Thailand ranked first with nearly 670,000 arrivalsto Laos and Vietnam, second with nearly 340,000 arrivals./.
