Laos mulls over Russian charters

VIENTIANE Direct charter flights between Russia and Laos are among proposals to strengthen tourism between the two countries, but the economic crisis in Russia could discourage private companies.
Vientiane Times reported that the proposal was among key points outlined in a briefing on bilateral cooperation held Wednesday at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Vientiane. No commitments were made from either side, but there is interest in tapping the Russian outbound market possibly in time for the winter season 2015.
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Laos, Mikhail Baranov, was quoted as saying that flights from Vladivostok on Russia’s Pacific coast could supply more tourists who would use Laos as the gateway to visit Cambodia and Vietnam.
It would largely depend on negotiations on traffic rights and land fee concessions to make it feasible for Russian travel firms and their charter airline partners.
inside no 5“Direct flights between our countries would facilitate development, trade and tourism expansion, so we are considering the plan,” he said, without giving further details on a time-frame.
The ambassador added that market research included a joint survey on tourism facilities in Laos and what would be needed to cater to Russian tourists.
Tourist arrivals from Russia to Laos reached 11,649 in 2013, up from 2,270 in 2007, according to figures from the Lao PDR Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
The initial proposal for direct flights was outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed between Lao tourism officials and representatives from Russia’s Primorsky Kray (far eastern administrative division) Department of International Cooperation and Tourism. The proposal was discussed in detail during the 17th Pacific International Tourism Expo held in Vladivostok, Russia in May 2013.
Since then the proposal has been on the back burner and the economic crisis in Russia would further dampen enthusiasm to establish new tour routes, or flights that might not be profitable.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia