VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Tourism-related entrepreneurs have received 147 Asean Tourism Standards awards, following an assessment of compliance with Asean tourism standards.
The awards are presented to Asean countries each year and are handed out at the annual Asean Tourism Fair.
Director General of the Tourism Management Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Darany Phommavongsa, said “Creating and developing tourism standards in Laos is aimed at making the country a quality tourism destination that attracts people from all over the world, generating significant amounts of revenue.”
Meeting set tourism standards is part of obligations required by members of the Asean bloc, with Laos working towards fulfilling these standards since 2008.
“Officials at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism are encouraging tourism operators to apply to participate in the selection, evaluation and submission of the annual awards. Laos has won 147 Asean tourism standards awards,” Darany said.
However, most tourism-related businesses in Laos are small and family run, and still have many limitations.
To encourage entrepreneurs to improve their services, the authorities have developed Lao tourism standards that are in line with Asean and international standards.
This helps tourism businesses across the country to move towards Asean standards and offer a better standard of services to tourists, Darany said.
Compliance with Asean tourism standards helps to improve service standards in Laos, while businesses that receive Asean tourism awards can be confident in their services and know they are creating a good impression on visitors.
Business operators and related parties who have received certificates and badges indicating compliance with Asean tourism standards can be used to promote online marketing and sales and are included in the priority list on the government’s official tourism website, making them more widely known.
In March this year, Laos received 35 awards in four categories of the Asean Tourism Standards awards.
Some of these awards were given for compliance with Asean hotel standards and were presented to hotel operators in Luang Prabang, Luang Namtha, Vientiane and Champassak provinces.
Awards in the people-participatory tourism standard category went to the operator of the Tadyeuang waterfall in Pakxong district, Champassak province; Nampein Yorlapa in Pakngum district, Vientiane; Nathong village in Vangvieng district, Vientiane province; Nayangtay village in Nambak district, Luang Prabang province; and Nongluang village in Pakxong district, Champassak province.
Laos also received 18 awards for compliance with Asean public toilet standards and 7 Asean spa service standards.
