Investors to study tourism development in Khong district
Investors to study tourism development in Khong district
A tour company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Champassak authorities last Friday to basically study the possible renovation of a train track and the development of tourism sites on an area of 60 hectares in Khong district of Champassak province.
The MoU for the primary study was signed between the Head of Champassak Provincial Investment and Planning Department, MrSaithongXayavong and Director of FTI Tour Company Limited, MrGhoiseoungsik in the province.
Champassak Governor DrBounthongDyvixay and other involved authorities were in attendance to witness the event.
The train track is a remnant of the era of French rule in Laos.
MrSaithongXayavong told Vientiane Times yesterday that “This is the primar y study by the company over a period of six months in order to investigate the possibility of developing a tourist attraction out of the old railway located in Khone-Dondeth in Khong district.
“After the study, it is possible they will sign an investment contract to continue the project for innovation and development in order to attract more tourists,” MrSaithong added.
“One of our targets is also to attract more tourists to visit our province, especially tourists from the Republic of Korea, because now the number of these tourists is increasing day by day and mostly they go to visit the LuangPrabang province world heritage site and other northern provinces.”
The study on the area of 60 hectares didn't involve a special economic zone at Khonephapheng waterfall and a surrounding area of 7,000 hectares in Khong district that was approved by the government at the end of last year, he said.
MrSaithong explained that the Khon-Dondeth area on the island of the Mekong River as well as other sites in the province, particularly Vat Phou World Heritage Site, were popular tourism destinations in the south of the country.
The development will also help boost the overall image of the province and boost economic growth.
A consultant of FTI Tour Company Limited MrOntaBoudsiphandon confirmed via telephone yesterday that the study aims to improve or innovate the train track and to develop infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity systems.
“Our company also plans to build 50 resort complexes, tourism sites, as well as establish restaurants and flower gardens,” he said.
According to the 2015 statistics report of the Tourism Development Department, the number of tourist arrivals in Champassak reached 611,244 people in 2015, which ranked it in third place by the total number of visitors by province after Vientiane with over 1.7 million visitors and Savannakhet province with over 1.1 million tourists.
