Tourism industry calls for tighter regulation

The Association of Travel Agents is holding talks with the government in an attempt to persuade more tour operators to join the association and to increase transparency in the industry.The association will also meet with the Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA) to discuss various issues regarding the collection of fees from visitors at border checkpoints, which are often being avoided.

President of the Association of Travel Agents, Mr Bouakhao Phomsouvanh, said they plan to meet with operators to find a solution to the problem at the border checkpoints in Champassak and Bokeo provinces and in Vientiane. These border crossings are the ones most used by visitors to Laos.“We have to discuss regulations regarding tourism and impose tighter regulations regarding the collection of fees which could be used for tourism promotion,” he said.

A police official working at a border checkpoint said at a recent meeting that some tour companies pay off officials at the Lao-Thai border in Vientiane to avoid paying the full border-crossing fee. He explained that, for example, tour operators who hold a border pass to bring in 100 people are often allowed to bring in 200 people for the same amount. Additionally, tour companies often avoid paying entrance fees at tourist sites by employing similar methods.

These tour companies are not registered with the Association of Travel Agents and so cannot be issued a warning, which has resulted in unfair competition in the industry.In regards to the private sector’s contribution to the government’s tourism promotion budget, the LNTA has asked businesses to assist them with funding to promote tourism, especially overseas where they have to spend large amounts of money to attend tourism fairs.

But Mr Bouakhao said the private sector cannot afford to contribute funds to the LNTA. Instead, the correct entry fees should be collected at border crossings and at government owned tourism sites, and used to develop the industry further.Mr Bouakhao said that in Thailand and Vietnam the government supports the private sector by promoting tourism abroad and the private sector in turn contributes to the government budget.

But the LNTA has no budget for tourism promotion and instead has to look to the private sector for help.LNTA Vice Chairman Soukaseum Bodhisane admitted that some people in Laos operate travel agencies and Internet cafés illegally, which is impacting on the industry’s legal competitors.

Source = laovoices