Tourism agencies from around the country are working with the Lao Association for Travel Agencies (LATA) to promote tourist attractions to visitors during the 25th SEA Games this December.
The association will gather information on tourist attractions from various provincial travel agencies before creating tourist guide books for use by visitors during the games.
“We have already received a lot of information and we will now select the best ideas to put into booklets for SEA Games visitors, a member of the association's Management Committee, Mr Inthy Deuansavanh, said yesterday
“The guide to Vientiane will include That Luang Stupa, Patuxay Monument , and Sisaket, Hor Phra Keo and Xiengkhuan temples as well as Talat Sao Shopping Mall, many handicraft shops and the night-bazaar which is currently under construction,” he said.
Mr Inthy said a guide book for Vientiane province will also be produced and would include Nam Ngum Dam, kayaking at Hin Heub and also Vangvieng.
“We will also bring out a guide to Borikhamxay province that will cover Phou Khao Khuay protected area where visitors can see wild elephants,” he said.
The association will meet with the Vientiane Tourism Department to discuss the proposed guide books.
The LATA will print 10,000 of the guidebooks for free distribution during the event.
Mr Inthy said the association also plans to set-up tourist information desks at various locations throughout Vientiane during the games.
The Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA) has conducted a survey on the readiness of the hospitality sector ahead of the games.
The LNTA believes more than 6,300 people will visit Laos during the games including delegates, media representatives and athletes.
The administration reported that there are 95 hotels with 3,616 rooms and 169 guesthouses with 2,474 rooms in central Vientiane . Another 26 hotels with 966 rooms and the SEA Games Athletes' Village with 4,000 rooms are currently under construction.
The LNTA will also arrange for tours to sites of cultural, national, historical and archaeological interest in the capital, Vientiane and Borikhamxay provinces for visitors during the games.
By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes
