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Govt gives nod to ‘Visit Laos Year 2012' funding
The government will invest about 6 billion kip in the ‘Visit Laos Year 2012' campaign in a bid to boost both tourism and the economy.
Director General of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism's Marketing and Promotion Department, Mr Saly Phimphinith, told Vientiane Times yesterday the money will be used to launch the publicity campaign worldwide.
The funding would allow Lao officials and tourism representatives to attend international events to promote the Lao tourism industry, and to invite international media personnel to visit Laos and publicise its wonders.
Some of the budget will be used to organise large scale performances that reflect Lao culture, especially traditional dance and music, traditional and contemporary fashions, and the multi-faceted richness and lifestyle of the country's multi-ethnic people.
Mr Saly said that to attract tourists from Europe, North America, the Asia-Pacific region and other areas, his department had hoped to advertise internationally but, due to budget constraints, this would not be possible.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism had requested a budget of at least 10 billion kip for the ‘Visit Laos Year 2012' project but had only been allocated 6 billion kip.
Some special events relative to the campaign will be organised in conjunction with traditional annual events such as the Hmong New Year, the Elephant Festival in Xayaboury province in February, the Lao New Year Festival in Luang Prabang province in April, the Rocket Festival in Xieng Khuang province in May, and the That Luang Festival in Vientiane in November.
Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly launched the ‘Visit Laos Year 2012' campaign at the National Culture Hall on New Year's Eve.
He called on all Lao people to continue in their role as ambassadors of their country's culture and traditions and to display the warmth and hospitality that greatly contribute to Laos' reputation as a sought after tourist destination.
To attract even more visitors to Laos, tourist-related businesses, shops, hotels, restaurants and sports centres must improve their standards to international level.
Vientiane Times has reported that many tourists appreciate the natural beauty and peacefulness of Laos, but find that there is still too little information about the country.
As Laos becomes more and more involved worldwide, President of the Lao Association of Travel Agents Mr Bouakhao Phomsouvan said he is optimistic about a tourist boom in Laos. The country is better placed to develop tourism and relations with neighbouring nations now that new roads and bridges are being built.
Lao Airlines is extending its reach and now has a direct flight to Singapore, with plans to schedule flights to Japan and the Republic of Korea within the year.
Laos held its first ‘Visit Laos Year' campaign in 1999-2000. Since then, tourism has grown by an average 25 percent annually and in 2010 about 2.5 million people visited Laos.
vientiane times
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