Luang Nam Tha Province is ready to welcome Tourists from all over the Country and has Formulated Policies for Tourism Development and Revitalization

On 18 August, the 2022 Asian Mountain Tourism Promotion Conference on Amity, Sincerity, Mutual Benefit, Inclusiveness, Cooperation, and Sharing —— Jointly Building a New Future for Asian Mountain Tourism was officially launched in Guiyang, Guizhou province. Khamlay Sipaseuth, Governor of Louang Namtha, Laos, made a presentation at the Asian Mountain Tourism Recommendation.

The following is the full text of the presentation.

Dear guests from the governmental departments and business circles of ASEAN countries, ladies and gentlemen: Hello, everyone!My name is Khamlay Sipaseuth, Governor of Luang Namtha provinceof Lao People’s Democratic Republic.I am honored and proud to be invited by IMTA to attend the “2022 Asian Mountain Tourism Promotion Conference”.

On behalf of the Laos Luang Namtha delegation, I am grateful to IMTA for making this Recommendation such a convenient platform. I personally speak highly of it. At this Recommendation of great significance, we have an opportunity to jointly discuss about the problems and challenges facing the tourism sector.
At the same time, ASEAN countries and regions can work hand in hand in developing and restoring tourism projects, and share information and data. Once we set up a platform of information sharing, Laos, especially the Luang Namtha province, can establish partnership with surrounding countries, and make more practical cooperation plans.So, according to the schedule and topic of the Recommendation, I wish to briefly express my ideas on the how to promote the progress of tourism in the Luang Namtha province. Here is what I think.
Luang Namtha province is located in the northwest of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic,160 kilometers away from China in the north,100 kilometers from Bokeo province in the south,250 kilometers from Oudomxay province in the east,and 159 kilometers from Myanmar in the west.Luang Namtha covers 9,391 square kilometers, with an average population density of 20 persons per square kilometer. The province is 85% mountains,composed of five counties or cities, 353 natural villages.The population is 202,380, belonging to 17 nations, including 102,153 women. In addition, the province enjoys one Special Economic Zone, four ports, including one international port (Boten-Mohan Port).
Luang Namtha province will prioritize tourism as the pillar of its economic and social development, and create more jobs for local people to alleviate poverty.In addition, it is a province with profuse natural resources, a pleasant climate, suitable for agriculture. For example:We grow rice and cash crops, and raise animals, particularly in Nam Ha National Protected Area, an ASEAN heritage.
Moreover, we have multiple national languages and cultures, international and local ports, airports, sub-regional highways, China-Laos railway that cuts across the province, and many natural, cultural and historical tourist attractions.
Also, we have implemented incentive policies to attract investment, and promote the future development of our tourism sector.
Thanks to the development potential of Luang Namtha, our tourism boomed in the last tourist season, even before the outbreak of COVID-19.
We have further improved our abundant tourism activities and services, making Luang Namtha a unique resort for visitors all over the world to explore the unique environment and culture of our national minorities.
Luang Namtha province has also received Lao national awards and ASEAN awards.In 2019, a total of 743,932 inbound visitors came to Luang Namtha,among which 661,852 visitors came through the Boten-Mohan Port, generating over 30 million dollars of revenue.
After that, tourism in the province was hit hard by the COVID-19. Many tourism projects and services were forced to shut down.Nonetheless, we took immediate actions for pandemic control and prevention, to protect the local people’s safety and health.
So far, many countries have adopted more flexible tourist policies,so has Laos.Luang Namtha province has made full preparation to attract both domestic and international visitors. Here are our policies on revitalizing the tourism:
First, attracting investment from domestic and foreign investors to facilitate tourism service, protect environment, and preserve and also promote the national cultures.
Second, giving full play to China-Laos railway to facilitate our domestic, regional and international tourism, especially the tourism market along the border between China and Laos.
Third, working with governmental departments, operating agencies, people of all ethnic groups, and the Boten Special Economic Zone, to gradually restore tourism, serve tourism services, and make both visitors and practitioners willing to participate in.
Fourth, assisting and encouraging tourist attractions and villages hit hard by COVID-19, and recommending new lifestyles (new normal) and tourism methods for people who need social distancing.
Fifth, advertising via multiple channels to provide visitors all over the world with information about Luang Namtha province. For that, we will turn to print and digital media, and create an application to facilitate our tourism.
Last, strengthening the capability of governmental departments and business divisions.For example, we will implement Lao security standard in the tourism sector, enhance partnership among governmental departments and business divisions, and make new strategies after the COVID-19.
Recently, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party has opened green tourism routes in Luang Namtha.
That is my idea at the “2022 Asian Mountain Tourism Promotion Conference”.
In a world of COVID-19, let’s facilitate the tourism in Luang Namtha province, make plans for the future progress of tourism and try our best to make it happen.