Media trip gives boost to tourism in Champassak

Champassak province is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Laos, known for its ancient temple complex (listed as a UNESCO world heritage site), and for being the home of Lao coffee.
The province is blessed with ranges of green hills and a plethora of waterfalls, with Khonephapheng on the Mekong River boasting prominence as the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia.

Reporters interview the Director of Tad Gneuang Waterfall.

More than 80 percent of foreign tourists who visit Laos head for the south of the country to spend time in Champassak, where they taste and learn about Lao coffee, enjoy the waterfalls, and take adventure trips like ziplining and trekking.
But none of these things was possible when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, causing endless problems for tourism operators and local communities.
In a bid to put the province back on the map, the Tourism Marketing Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism organised a trip for reporters from the Vientiane Times and Pathetlao newspapers, Lao National Radio, and China Radio International to Laos (CRI).
The group visited the main tourist attractions in Champassak province with the aim of promoting them and learning about exciting new developments, all with a view to making them better known to tourists.
The four-day visit began at the Champassak provincial Department of Information, Culture and Tourism. The group then headed for Tad Fane, Tad Gneuang and Khonephapheng waterfalls, the Agro Vege Farm, a coffee plantation in the Pakxong Highlands, the provincial handicraft centre, and the Nong Nokkhien border crossing between Laos and Cambodia.
Conversations with people in charge of tourism activities and those involved in the development of tourism and the supervision of various tourist attractions revealed the extent of the damage caused by the pandemic.
Global travel restrictions meant foreign tourists could no longer come to Laos, so many tourist attractions had to close.
Deputy Director General of the Tourism Marketing Department, Mrs Sengsoda Vanthanouvong, advised the group to gather information about the current state of tourism in Champassak and subsequently to encourage Lao people to explore the wonders of their country and take part in travel schemes such as “Lao Thiao Lao” and “Green Zones”.
During the Covid-19 outbreak, the tourism industry and associated services in Laos, including in Champassak province, have been severely affected.
Mrs Sengsoda explained that in order to revitalise tourism, continuous publicity is essential. This should take place under the guidance of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, which is currently preparing to start the second phase of the Green Zones travel programme.
The managers of the Tad Gneuang and Tad Fane waterfalls reiterated that they were fully prepared to welcome foreign tourists once more.
Many tourist attractions in Champassak province have now reopened, including these two waterfalls, but are currently only open to domestic visitors. There has been a 70 percent drop in visitor numbers compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Although the pandemic meant no foreign tourists were able to visit, tourism operators used the opportunity to make improvements to tourist sites, add new facilities, and set up more interesting activities.
In certain parts of Champassak, tourists are now returning, especially to Khong district and the 4,000 Islands area where the Khonephapheng and Somphamit waterfalls are to be found.
It won’t be long before this bucolic part of Laos is once again playing host to crowds of admirers and giving many more people the chance to enjoy a relaxing break and new discoveries, all amid stunning scenery.

By Patithin Phetmeuangphuan
(Latest Update May 3, 2022)