Lao province improves tourism

OUDOMXAY Tourism authorities in the Lao province of Oudomxay are leading joint private-public projects to develop new attractions and build human resources.

Lao News Agency reported the province’s Information, Culture and Tourism Department has started training courses for hospitality services to improve skills in the hospitality industry including restaurants.

The first three-day training course started this week, a province that has a small, but emerging travel industry that urgently needs to improve hospitality skills.

Tourism service entrepreneurs such as guesthouses, hotels, restaurants and local traders at the province’s night market have been invited to attend the courses.

In addition, the province is sourcing new tourist sites and attractions and assisting districts to improve tourist sites that already exist.

Oudomxay is a province of Laos, located in the northwest of the country. The province’s capital is Muang Xai.

It borders China to the north, Phongsali province to the northeast, Luang Prabang province to the east and southeast, Xaignabouli province to the south and southwest, Bokeo province to the west, and Luang Namtha province to the northwest.

The tourism office opened in Muang Xay since 1997, supported by the German Development Service.

In August 2007,  the tourism office was upgraded to a “Provincial Tourism Department”.

Last year, the province attracted 215,448 visitors increasing from 102,050 visits in 2014, according to Tourism Development Department’s data.

The department reported in 2015 that the province had 19 hotels, 71 guesthouses, 77 restaurants and three entertainment establishments.