Somphet Maopaseuth explains the layout of Namkat Yorla Pa to a group of media personnel led by Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Phosy Keomanivong. - VT
VIENTIANE: Biodiversity tourism products at the Namkhat Yorla Pa tourist attraction in Oudomxay province have attracted the attention of a large number of foreign researchers after the leisure resort started advertising this particular aspect of the facility in February 2024, leading to an increase in the number of bookings.
President of Forestry Area Conservation Ecological Tourism and the manager of Namkat Yorla Pa, Somphet Maopaseuth, said more than 1,000 species have been observed and studied in the area, in the categories of insects and butterflies, birds, reptiles, and flowers.
The most notable discovery was eight species of insects, of which two are on display in a small museum at the resort, with names to be given to each species.
“The discovery of insect and other species at Namkat Yorla Pa is of great interest and led to us setting up an exhibition to reflect the great biodiversity to be found in this area,” Mr Somphet said.
“The exhibition centre has attracted the attention of a large number of researchers from other countries who believe that biodiversity has the potential to be a strong tourist drawcard because of the unique characteristics of the site, which lies within a protected forest area,” he added.
President of Forestry Area Conservation Ecological Tourism and the manager of Namkat Yorla Pa, Somphet Maopaseuth.
“Biodiversity tourism is a new area for us and we believe it will be a useful addition to research efforts, with most researchers coming from France. We observed that the small museum we opened to display and illustrate the large variety of species to be found here has attracted more foreign visitors and the number of bookings has increased.”
“We estimate that the number of visitors will increase significantly by the end of this year and continue early next year, as the biodiversity aspect of our facility is encouraging people to stay longer.”
Last year, more than 60,000 people visited Namkat Yorla Pa, with more coming during the high season this year than last, Somphet said.
Caroline Bennoy, a French visitor and programme manager with a French travel company, said “I am very impressed to see the abundance of natural beauty in Laos, especially here at Namkat Yorla Pa, while it’s gratifying to see that local people are continuing to observe their cultural traditions. Lao food is also very good, especially laab, made from a tasty mix of meat or fish and herbs.”
She said she came to Laos to explore the opportunities for visitors in the country with the intention of bringing customers to Laos. She is visiting a range of tourist attractions, hotels and restaurants which she hopes to include in future tour programmes and bring more French people to Laos.
After studying the potential for tourism in Laos, when she returns to France she will start advertising Laos as a tourist destination and is convinced there will be a large market for tour programmes in Laos because of the country’s natural beauty.
The local lifestyle and Laos’ cultural attractions will also be a strong selling point, Bennoy said. - Vientiane Times/ANN
