Visitors posing for photos at a stunning waterfall in Attapeu province. - VT
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Tourism authorities in Attapeu province are developing a programme aimed at bringing tourists back to the area and rejuvenating the tourism industry following an absence of visitors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since the government fully reopened the country to foreign tourists in May, the Information, Culture and Tourism Department in Attapeu province has been making decisive plans to restore tourism.
Department Director Kongchack Sisavath outlined the plans when addressing a recent meeting of the Attapeu Provincial People’s Council. The plan runs from 2022-2025 and consists of three phases.
In the first phase, which took place from January to June this year, 15 short-term tourism activities were arranged.
The second phase will run from July this year until June 2023 and comprises 22 medium-term activities. The final phase, consisting of six long-term activities, will be rolled out from July 2022 to 2025.
Kongchack said all tourism-related businesses in the province will be encouraged to ensure that 90 percent of their staff and managers are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
In addition, standards have been upgraded to ensure safety at all tourist destinations, restaurants, bars, guesthouses, hotels and other places frequented by visitors.
The province has improved facilities at tourist sites and evaluated businesses to ensure they meet the required standards.
Provincial authorities have issued Clean and Safety certificates to seven tourism businesses.
The province’s Culture and Tourism Department is encouraging the Tourism Business Association to be more active in promoting tourism in Attapeu, in order to bolster visitor numbers.
Attapeu’s tourism programmes have been advertised by the government and tourism businesses on television, radio, social media, billboards and in the print media.
During the first six months of this year, a total of 24,265 tourists visited Attapeu province, generating more than 8 billion kip in revenue.
