GMS to promote tourism growth

Leaders within the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) are expected to approve 29 separate projects relating to tourism at the Third GMS Summit to be held in Vientiane from March 30 to 31, an official said yesterday.

The 29 projects were initially agreed on in September last year by GMS technical officials, who believe the projects will boost tourism in member countries.

A senior official from the Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA), Mr Thavipheth Oula, said the projects include human resource development, facility improvements, participatory tourism development, and the protection of biodiversity.

But GMS member countries would select the projects that are most appropriate to their circumstances, and may have to seek funding from donors for proper implementation.

Laos is expected to select five projects, including the creation of a curriculum and training programme for officials who manage world heritage sites.

Tourism in the GMS has been increasing every year; in 2006, for example, arrivals reached 22 million, rising to 25 million in 2007. These numbers should increase to 26 million by 2010 and 50 million in 2015, Mr Thavipheth said.

In 2006, only 1.2 million visitors came to Laos. In the same year, the LNTA interviewed 6,000 tourists, and found that among the GMS countries Laos was rated number one in terms of hospitality with a score of 8.38. It also ranked top in terms of greenery, referring to forests and mountains, and number one for safety.

However, the survey found that Laos still lags behind in water cleanliness, sanitation and refuse disposal.

This year, Mr Thavipheth said, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will grant US$1.3 million for the government to conduct a project regarding water sanitation and environmental protection in Vangvieng district, Vientiane province, a popular tourist destination.

The funding will be used to build a reservoir to collect wastewater from hotels and houses for treatment prior to its discharge into the Xong River, as well as improving garbage disposal methods and environmental education.

Mr Thavipheth said the ADB will also give US$1.8 million for developments in the Four Thousand Islands area in southern Laos. This will finance road building, boat landing improvements, rope bridges to link the islands and participatory tourism projects involving local people.

Other projects to be supported by the ADB include the construction of tourist facilities along the East-West Economic Corridor and North South Economic Corridor.

The ADB will also give funding to eco-tourism projects with local participation in six provinces of Laos.

In July 2009, the Mekong Tourism Forum will be held in Vientiane to promote tourism in GMS member countries and, in 2010, the GMS countries will promote themselves to the world market as a single tourist destination.

At the same time, Laos will promote itself through several major activities to coincide with celebrations for the 450th anniversary of the transfer of the capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.