How should we prepare to welcome tourists?

At least 2,000 people, both Lao and foreign, have entered Laos over the past week, with many more expected in the coming weeks and months. With the government calling on everyone to be ready to welcome and offer warm hospitality to tourists, Vientiane Times asked for opinions on ways we can best do this.

Some of Laos’ most scenic landscapes.

Mr Aek Vansily, a guesthouse owner in Khong district, Champassak province: I’m very happy and excited that Laos is open to tourists again. It’s been so long since we had any foreign tourists and I closed my guesthouse and restaurant after the pandemic hit. I’m now ready to serve tourists again but I don’t expect many to come this year because the high season has come and gone. However, we are all ready for visitors and there are plenty of interesting activities for them in the laidback villages here, as well as lots of travel opportunities in the 4,000 Islands area.
 
Mr Phaivanh Philianthavong, a resident of Bokeo province: The reopening of Laos is good news for everyone and will certainly boost business growth, especially tourism. Bokeo is heavily dependent on income and investment from foreigners, so a lot of revenue has been lost while Laos’ borders were closed. Of course, we have to do a lot of preparation in order to reopen hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and tourist attractions, and I hope that all of these will be able to continue to do business. A lot of places have carried out developments and improvements while they were closed, and new tourist activities have been introduced. But we should all remember to follow the standard rules on Covid prevention to make sure that local residents and tourists stay safe.

Mr Sibath, a Vientiane businessman: Everything has got quite expensive recently and I feel quite sure that charges and costs in the tourism sector are also higher than they used to be. In the past, some tourists complained that the prices charged for services and food were higher in Laos than in neighbouring countries. So it’s important that the government takes steps to keep prices reasonable so they do not become exorbitant and put tourists off.
 
Ms Vanhdy Xaysana, a resident of Vientiane: I really enjoy travelling and I often went to Thailand before the borders closed. So now I’m happy that I can go again. Of course, there’s a lot to be done in preparation for the return of tourists, but first of all we must consider safety issues given that Covid is still circulating. It’s important that everyone complies with the rules on virus control, because if tourists pick up Covid while they are in Laos, how are we going to help them? We need to make sure they are safe. I’ve noticed that lots of hotels and restaurants don’t seem to care about virus control any more. Other things also need addressing, such as the ease of getting a visa, access to information, and other forms of assistance.

By Patithin Phetmeuangphuan
(Latest Update May 17, 2022)