Passengers queue at the Luang Prabang station of the China-Laos Railway in Luang Prabang, Laos, Dec. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Lu Yun)
VIENTIANE, July 6 (Xinhua) — The Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and Shanghai-based Trip.com Group Limited, a leading Chinese online travel agency, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop and promote Laos’ tourism sector.
The signing ceremony was attended by Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vinayaket, Zhao Wenyu, Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Laos, Chen Guanqi, Vice President of Trip.com Group, and other officials from both sides.
The agreement will be an important step in contributing to the Visit Laos Year in 2024. It will also be a good opportunity for Laos to promote tourism in the Chinese market.
The two sides will jointly develop a Laos tourism promotion action plan aimed at improving services and creating various tourism programs to attract more Chinese tourists.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chen said Trip.com Group recognises Laos’ great potential as a tourism destination and is committed to showcasing the country’s unique charms to Chinese travellers.
“Our platform aims to showcase Laos’ fascinating scenery, historical sites and diverse cultural heritage,” Chen said.
The company will work closely with the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to adopt marketing tactics popular in China, such as livestreaming, to promote tourism in Laos.
In the first three months of 2024, Laos welcomed more than 242,000 Chinese tourists, making China the third-largest country in terms of foreign tourist arrivals.
