Oudomxay tourism expects decrease in revenue
Oudomxay tourism expects decrease in revenue
Northern Laos’ Oudomxay province is expecting its tourism revenue to slightly decrease to around US$12 million by the end of the year, compared to US$14 million last year, according to officials in the sector.
An official at the Oudomxay Tourism Division, Ms Davone explained that during the first three months of the year they have seen the number of tourists in the province decrease by 16 percent as compared to the same period last year.
The number of tourists has continued to fall even though the road linking Oudomxay to the world heritage town, Luang Prabang, has now been improved.
Tourists can now travel directly in just five hours from Oudomxay to Luang Prabang.
While Ms Davone pointed out that the province still hasn’t developed any new tourism sites to attract visitors.
However, the province expects to open its door to welcome around 230,000 visitors, who will come domestically, in tour groups from Asia, with ever more Chinese and Europeans coming to the province.
European visitors have also been up since 2013 as they travel to the province for trekking and home-stays and are interested in the local lifestyle and traditional ethnic groups found in the area.
Pakbeng district is a way-transit for those travelling to Luang Prabang by slow boat which are well-known among backpackers around the world.
The latest province’s adventure activities are also well-known along Nam Kat River, which has was opened in 2015, and could be an important part in driving tourism’s revenue growth there.
It has attracted 65,555 domestic tourists since being promoted last year.
Along the Nam Kat River there are no shortage of activities with trekking, mountain climbing, biking, abseiling, zip-lining, a tree-house sleepover and camping all on offer.
Adventure activities along the Nam Kat River started only recently under the Forestry Area Conservation Ecological Tourism programme.
Ms Davone believes the Nam Kat tourism site will continue to attract tourists through visitors’ reviews on social media such as Facebook and YouTube.
According to officials related to the province’s tourism industry, Oudomxay is receiving benefits as it is being become a transit for tourists to stop one or two nights, especially in its Pakbeng district.
While the province’s tourism authorities will work on improving its services and tourist attractions, which it plans to develop including Samvone Cave, which will yet be another choice for tourists.
A survey for the province’s infrastructure development was started earlier this year, aiming to attract tourists to spend their holiday in the province for at least two days.
