VIENTIANE: Lao Airlines will start operating flights between Lao's Vientiane and Cambodia's Phnom Penh, hoping that direct air travel between the two capitals will bring more tourists and investors to Laos.
International travel and tourism industry is booming, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) region, with air travel being tourists' preferred means of transport, managing director of the Lao national carrier Khamla Phommavanh was quoted as saying by the Lao National TV in a report on Thursday (March 7).
Market research showed increased demand for travel between Laos and Cambodia, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic, so the decision was made to launch direct flight service between the two capitals, according to the report.
The flight service will start on March 19, with departing from Wattay International Airport in Lao capital Vientiane three times a week. The flight takes one hour and 20 minutes and will be served by A320 aircraft.
"If passenger demand increases, we will consider adding more flights in the future," said Khamla.
The Lao government and tourism-related businesses are making every effort to raise the country's tourism industry standards to attract visitors.
The government has launched the Visit Laos Year 2024 programme, opening the Southeast Asian country to visitors from around the world in the hope that more people will discover the wonders of Laos.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism expects to see more than 6 million Lao and foreign travellers in 2024. - Xinhua
