Luang Prabang tourism generates U$S102 million
Luang Prabang tourism generates U$S102 million
Tourist arrivals in Luang Prabang province rose 7 percent last year, giving a major boost to the economy of the World Heritage Site.
According to a report from the provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department, tourist arrivals reached 297,506 in 2012, a 7.17 percent increase compared to the previous year. The rise was attributed to the Visit Laos Year 2012 tourism campaign.
As part of the promotion, the government and local authorities held various activities last year aimed at boosting the number of local and foreign tourists. Luang Prabang was active in promoting its tourist attractions.
Luang Prabang tourism officials said the industry expected to generate 823 billion kip (US$102 million) for the local economy in 2012. Tourism provides a large number of jobs and income for local people, ranging from food vendors to hotel managers.
Some 119,842 tourists, or 41 percent of the total, came from European nations. Numbers from this region were up only 1.8 percent, largely due to the economic downturn in Europe. Another 65,011 visitors, or 22 percent of the total, came from Asian countries (excluding Asean). Tourist arrivals from this region rose by 8 percent.
Asean nations were the source of 63,472 visitors, equalling 21 percent of the total. Tourist arrivals from this region rose by 13 percent compared to the previous year. Another 42,124 visitors (14 percent) came from the United States, with figures up 14 percent on the previous year.
A further 4,124 tourists came from Africa, accounting for 1.4 percent of the total. This figure represented a 17 percent increase on the previous year.
Officials said that on average overseas visitors spend five days in Luang Prabang, spending about 500,000 kip each day.
They forecast that visitor numbers to Luang Prabang will rise by a further 8 percent this year. They were optimistic that government plans for road upgrades and new regional air links would further boost tourist arrivals. Several airlines opened new flights to Laos in 2012, making it easier for tourists and businesspeople to visit the country.
Luang Prabang provincial authorities are urging tourism operators to improve their services so they can attract more foreign visitors over the next year. The authorities will improve various tourist attractions, which is expected to further boost tourist arrivals.
vientiane times
