Festival, games to boost Champassak tourism and trade
Festival, games to boost Champassak tourism and trade
More than 6,000 people are expected to flow to Champassak province in the south of Laos next week to attend the annual Vat Phou Festival and the 5th National Student's Games.
The two events will be held at overlapping times. The festival will run from February 12 to 14 while the official opening ceremony of the games kicks off on February 13 and the competition continues to February 22.
Champassak provincial Deputy Governor, Dr Bounthong Divixay said on Tuesday “These events will draw between 5,000 to 6,000 people travelling to the province, including 3,000 athletes from around the country.”
The festival and student games are expected to generate income for both the public and private sectors and boost purchasing and sales in the province.
Festival goers are set to increase in number this year because the provincial authorities have brought a stone Buddha head, which is believed to date back to the 15th century of Laos, from Japan to install in the Vat Phou Exhibition Hall.
The Buddha head was stolen and subsequently discovered for sale in an antique shop.
The stone head, measuring 55cm by 33cm by 40cm, arrived at Vat Phou in Champassak province last year after first being found in Japan early in 2012.
The tourism sector is expected to get the most benefit from the festival and sports events with accommodation, food and public transport all set to be in high demand.
The provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department Deputy Director Ms Mala Chanthalam said yesterday the annual festival and students' games will bring benefits to entrepreneurs in the hospitality sector such as guesthouses, hotels tourism, restaurants and tourism sites.
The two events have the potential to boost the tourism industry during the current high season in the province. Many important tourism sites have been upgraded with the improvements focused on beautifying the places and providing convenience where tourists visit.
Ms Mala said there is enough accommodation for visitors because the Champassak district hosting the festival has a lot of hotels, guesthouses and home stays to accommodate tourists. Meanwhile Pakxe district, which is hosting the sporting competitions is the provincial capital and has many big hotels.
The trading climate in Champassak will be better than previous months due to thousands of visitors coming to spend money while witnessing the two events. Local products are expected to be among the best sellers.
The provincial trade sector confirmed yesterday that the supply of domestic foodstuffs currently meets demand however it has still arranged a plan to provide for extra food imports if necessary.
If the trade officials determine there is a shortfall in supplying the market, they will give the green light to companies to import produce to meet the market demand.
The provincial authorities are well prepared and in readiness for this important event. They have set up committees to maintain security and order, control the price of goods and monitor the safety of catering services.
vientiane times
