Tourism symposium highlights AEC integration preparations
Tourism symposium highlights AEC integration preparations
Lanith (Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality) in cooperation with Lao-German Development Cooperation (GIZ) on Friday held the 16th Lanith symposium highlighting the Lao tourism sector's countdown up to AEC establishment.
Laos is currently preparing in various essential sectors for Asean Economic Community (AEC) integration at the end of this year, and the symposium was designed to be an important step forward especially for the tourism sector towards the upcoming AEC and beyond.
Under the AEC four pillars, tourism was one of the priority sectors for integration this year and the most important service sector for Laos, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Chaleune Warinthrasak said at the opening of the symposium.
“Tourism represents an important component of the economy of all Asean countries especially in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand where tourism accounts for more than 10 percent of GDP and creates significant employment in their economies,” he said.
The Asean region has increased its share of global arrivals and receipts from 74 percent in 2010 to 8.6 percent in 2013 and regional arrivals from 34.3 percent in 2010 to 37.5 percent in 2013.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council in 2013 the Asean countries generated US$112.6 billion in tourism exports or foreign exchange earnings and US$294.4 billion in value adding linked to travel and tour operations, shopping, entertainment, transportation and various other tourism related service occupations and productive sectors, accounting for 12.3 percent of regional GDP.
The government recognises the importance of services in the economic growth and development for the country.
In 2014, Laos reached 4.1 million tourist arrivals and generated total revenue of US$641 million while more than 200,000 people used the services of Lao travel agents.
The growth in the tourism sector is well acknowledged, however tourism businesses throughout the country have not fully exploited their potential in the area of services.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism is taking an active part in several Asean working groups targeting the implementation of regional standards in Laos especially the Green Hotel Standard and those focused on homestay accommodation and promoting clea n cities, he explained.
Together with neighbouring countries, the ministry also focuses on the development of Asean tourism products.
One of the major challenges in the past has been information exchange between the government and private sector.
Th e private sector was a major resou rce for projects and innovation, in the future the government would continue to engage in dialogue and participate in product developmen t and marketing of tourism. The nation also needs to take a greater part in regional value chains, Mr Chaleune commented.
