Khon Phapheng waterfall to get makeover
Khon Phapheng waterfall to get makeover
Ying Chokchai Group Co., Ltd. will spend about US$5 million to improve infrastructure at the Khon Phapheng Waterfall Park in Khong district, Champassak province, after provincial authorities approved the company's bid.
The company believes that improved infrastructure will boost the number of foreign visitors by 70-80 percent.
The developers plan to ramp up publicity for the site, team up with tour operators and directly invite foreigners to visit the site, company President Ms Somleth Phosalath told Vientiane Times last week.
The company's contract includes a concession period of 15 years, with the option to extend the contract every 15 years thereafter for an unlimited period.
This year, the company will pay a concession fee of 1.4 billion kip, which will be increased by 10 percent over the next 14 years, Ms Somleth said.
The concession will allow the company to make improvements to the area surrounding the waterfall, while the revenue earned from the concession will add to the government's budget, an official from the provincial tourism section said.
According to a report from the section, Champassak province earns only about 60 million kip annually from the provision of services at the waterfall.
Now, with the current acceleration of development and regional integration, private investment is required to upgrade amenities at the site.
Entry to the waterfall costs 20,000 kip for Lao citizens and 55,000 kip for foreigners, but this is very reasonable compared to prices in other countries in the region.
Situated just 13 kilometres from the Cambodian border and east of Don Khon on the Mekong River, the Khon Phapheng waterfall straddles a wide fault line, which slopes in a curvilinear pattern and causes the river to pass through with awesome power.
Khon Phapheng is the largest waterfall by water volume due to its great power and steep descent, rendering this area of the Mekong unnavigable before the river flows peacefully south into Cambodia and Vietnam.
Ying Chokchai Group Co., Ltd. is managing three important development projects in Champassak province, with the aim of building a modern tourism industry and contributing to economic growth.
The three projects are the World Heritage Site of Vat Phou, Khon Phapheng waterfall, and Somphamit waterfall.
These development projects will help increase the availability of infrastructure to meet the needs of tourists, and make Champassak province a more attractive destination.
