Luang Prabang set to hit tourist target
Luang Prabang set to hit tourist target
The World Heritage town of Luang Prabang is on target to hit 500,000 visitors by the end of this year after reaching 470,279 in the first nine months.
According to an official from the Department of Luang Prabang Tourism the number of tourists has continued grow steadily as the town has improved its services and activities to attract visitors.
A rich blend of nature, culture, traditions, history and the local people's lifestyle were seen as highlights to charm and attract visitors to the scenic town. During the first nine months of this year the provincial tourism department's generated revenues of US$137,305 compared to US$92,628 in the same period last year while the department expects its revenue to reach US$163,450 by the end this year.
Luang Prabang province expects its overall revenues to increase to more than 1.41 trillion kip over the next five years on the back of tourism growth with the trade and services sector to make up around 85-90 percent of taxes and duty collection, according to the Provincial Finance Department.
This year, the province has seen increased numbers of Chinese, and Korean tourists, thanks to new direct flights coupled with more group tours from China and Korea travelling to Luang Prabang.
The numbers of tourists from Europe, Asia and the Pacific reached 156,223 visitors in the first nine months of the year, an increase of 21 percent compared to the same period last year.
Tourist numbers coming to Laos have continued their year on year growth with authorities expecting to achieve their goal of 4.2 million for the year which will aid further visitor growth to the World Heritage city.
