At the event. (Photo: laotiantimes.com)Vientiane (VNA) – Laos and Cambodia have pledged to strengthen tourism cooperation and to continue to promote tourism with an emphasis on safe travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two countries on January 18 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which focuses on strengthening collaboration in the development of natural resources in the tourism sector.
Under the agreement, the two countries will share information and experiences concerning COVID-19, the response of their respective tourism industries to the pandemic, and their plans for renewed programmes in this field. The MOU also aims to improve the standards of personnel to ensure greater efficiency, as well as attract more investment to the development of the industry to drive the resumption of tourism between Laos and Cambodia.
Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket on January 18 confirmed the country’s willingness to foster tourism.
A Cambodian representative said his government would jointly run a tourism information campaign in Laos for local and foreign tourists, to support the government’s goal to promote the industry and attract more local and overseas investment to it.
The Cambodian official said the MOU paved the way for the creation of a tourism consulting company that would provide information and technical assistance to ensure a high standard of tourism in Laos.
Laos and Cambodia will also encourage the development of natural resources in the sector and build academic capacity through the provision of seminars and forums, he said.
In addition, they will support reciprocal field trips and official visits by government officials and private sector representatives, including media personnel, with the aim of building confidence in the growth of a shared and sustainable tourism industry.
The two countries will also set up a technical team to support the implementation of the agreement. The team will spell out procedures, programmes and make recommendations on collaborative activities to achieve the desired results./.
