Oudomxay tourism eyes revenue growth
Oudomxay tourism eyes revenue growth
Oudomxay province in northern Laos expects tourism revenue will increase 9 percent reaching US$14.3 million by the end of this year, according to an official in the sector.
Oudomxay provincial Tourism Department official Ms Davone reported yesterday that the increasing revenue growth was thanks to continuous improvement of local tourism sites, which has seen visitor numbers growing steadily.
For the first eight months of this year the province greeted 131,110 visitors, an increase of around 10 percent compared to the same period last year.
By year's end the province expects to open its doors to 233,986 domestic and international visitors with more Chinese tour groups predicted, as well as Europeans.
European visitors have risen since 2013 attracted for the trekking and home-stays to sample firsthand local lifestyles and ethnic traditional groups.
The province is also well-known for adventure activities along the Nam Kat River or Nam Kat Yolapa which has attracted 65,555 domestic tourists since it was promoted last year.
Along the Nam Kat there are no shortage of activities with trekking, mountain climbing, biking, abseiling, zip-lining, tree-house sleepovers, camping, and traditional lifestyle education all on offer.
Adventure activities along the Nam Kat River commenced recently under the Forestry Area Conservation Ecological Tourism (FACET) programme.
Ms Davone believed the Nam Kat tourism area would continue to attract visitors thanks to their positive reviews on social media such as Facebook and YouTube.
According to officials Oudomxay's tourism industry was also receiving benefits from transiting tourists stopping over for one or two nights, especially in Pakbeng district before travelling to the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang.
However, the department is determined to continually improve services and tourist attractions with plans afoot to develop Samvone Cave which will become another draw card.
A survey of its infrastructure development was also undertaken earlier this year to identify any shortcomings that could be addressed to encourage tourists to spend more time in the province.
