VIENTIANE, March 11 (Vientiane Times/ANN): An international foundation has announced a new US$10-million-euro project to help nine least developed countries, including Laos, to develop their tourism industries.
“We are launching today the Tourism Development Fund, which targets nine least developed countries, one of which is Laos. We look to implement the project in these nine countries until 2030,” Programme Director of the TUI Care Foundation, Jost Neumann, said on March 7.
He spoke to the Vientiane Times after attending the daily media briefing at the LDC5 conference.
The conference is taking place from March 4 to 9 in Doha to discuss the global partnership to implement the 10-year Doha Programme of Action to accelerate the graduation of least developed countries from their categorisation as the most vulnerable in the world.
Neumann said the Foundation had learnt that Laos has huge tourism development potential thanks to the country’s striking landscapes and central location in the Mekong region, adding that tourism development can make a significant contribution to economic growth and poverty alleviation in Laos.
He noted that the main challenges faced by Laos and other least developed countries is the lack of a skilled workforce and the innovation and entrepreneurship needed to unlock the potential for tourism growth.
The support programme will mainly focus on capacity building, in particular the strengthening of tourism-related education, conservation of cultural assets and natural beauty, and enhancement of tourism entrepreneurship in small and medium-sized enterprises.
Tourist arrivals in Laos peaked at about 4.7 million in 2019 before visitor numbers plummeted during the Covid-19 pandemic. Tourists are now returning in greater numbers after travel restrictions were lifted around the world.
This year Laos expects to welcome 1.4 million tourists, mainly from China, thanks to the new rail link between the two countries.
World Tourism Organisation Director, Zoritsa Urosevic said there is a need to boost investment in the tourism industry in LDCs.
Tourism growth can make a significant contribution to social and economic development in the most vulnerable countries, helping them to make a smooth transition to developing nation status.
The key challenge for least developed countries mainly centres on capacity building, she added.
Without this, it will be difficult to boost investment in tourism due to the fact that the business community considers clear policies and laws and a predictable business environment as essential before deciding to invest in a country.
Urosevic also said the tourism industry needs a new business model due to digital disruption, adding that enhanced capacity building must include the use of new technology, which is fundamental to driving the growth of tourism. - Vientiane Times/ANN
