Foreign tourists are gradually returning to Luang Prabang city, a world heritage site recognised by UNESCO.

Visitors ask authorities to address problems in tourist sites

Many well-known tourist sites across Laos are welcoming the gradual return of foreign tourists after disruptions during the past two years because of the Covid-19 outbreak.
At the beginning of July, a sizeable number of travellers, especially from neighbouring Thailand, flocked to tourist destinations in Laos, including Vangvieng and Luang Prabang and other cities.
Many of them were impressed by the services and hospitality offered by the local people, while some said they were unfairly treated by some staff of hotels and guesthouses, who charged their customers prices that were higher than usual.
One social media user wrote in a Facebook post about his experiences while helping his friends from Thailand to visit the town of Luang Prabang via the Laos-China Railway.
“Before my friends entered Laos, I arranged their train tickets and they were willing to pay extra to agents to buy the tickets but it was not a big deal. However, the hotel they booked in advance via an online platform refused to accept them,” he said.
He said this was strange because his friends made an online booking and had confirmed dates for checking into the hotel.
Members of the public have called on officials in-charge of the tourism sector to tackle such problems in order to ensure that the incoming foreign visitors enjoy their stay and get proper services at tourist spots across Laos.
In his response on this issue, the President of the Lao Hotel and Restaurant Association, Mr Pakasith Chanthapanya, told Vientiane Times on Tuesday that the organisation is working with the owners of hotels to educate newly employed staff to be professional while dealing with foreign tourists.
“We accept that some incidents occurred some days ago, when a huge number of tourists came to several well-known tourist sites in Laos,” he said. The newly employed staff at some establishments may have taken advantage of their customers,” he said.
The association is coordinating with the owners of hotels, guesthouses and restaurants to educate their employees and to closely inspect their work in order to ensure they offer proper and fair services to customers.
“Of course, we won’t let such problems happen again because it is important for the overall image of the Lao tourism sector, and to raise the profile of Laos in a positive manner,” Mr Pakasith said. 
Among the top priorities to be addressed by stakeholders are booking of train tickets and hotels, the varied fees for transport services, and fluctuating prices of goods, tariffs at guesthouses and fees for service in the immigration sector.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update, August 3, 2022)