Cross-border railway gives tourism a welcome boost

Maiden trip: Passengers on board the first cross-border passenger train from Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan province, to Vientiane. — Xinhua

TOURISM facilities are expected to be upgraded in northern Laos’ Luang Prabang in order to cater to the influx of visitors as the launch of China-Laos Railway cross-border passenger train service has brought more travellers to the famed tourist destination.

Vice-Governor of Luang Prabang province, Bounleuan Manivong, told reporters that the eponymous provincial capital is a magnet to visitors in the South-East Asian country as well as those from abroad.

To lure more visitors, provincial authorities are building more tourism facilities, and tourism operators have refurbished or upgraded popular attractions and improved hospitality services.

Luang Prabang province recorded more than 273,000 visitors in the first three months of 2023, generating over US$157mil (RM690mil) in revenue.

“Luang Prabang is a small charming town surrounded by rivers and mountains. I wish more people would travel to Luang Prabang, so that they can see its beauty,” said Bounmany Phomsy, a local vendor.

“The China-Laos Railway has made travelling to the province much easier. And I believe more Chinese tourists will come to Laos because they could travel by cross-border passenger trains.”

She said the train is a fast, safe and comfortable way to travel.

Since the inauguration of the China-Laos Railway in December 2021, many people had flocked to Luang Prabang province. In the first 10 months of 2022, 335,794 tourists, accounting for 85.27% of the total, arrived in Luang Prabang by the train. — Xinhua