Popular hotels in central Vientiane are now ready to serve the best hospitality possible for guests attending the 25th SEA Games in December.
Ninety hotels are offering accommodation, including major hotels Don Chan Palace , Lao Plaza and Novotel, and are preparing themselves to make sure that guests will be happy with the standard of hospitality on offer during the greatest sports event ever held in Vientiane .
Vientiane Tourism Department Director, Mr Khampadith Khemmanith said more than 195 accommodation providers had been designated to host visiting officials during the games.
“The upcoming SEA Games has increased interest among those business in Vientiane to be involved in raising service standards for guests, and we really hope guests will happy with our hospitality,” he said.
“Only those that have the highest standards and quality of service are suitable for our VIP guests.”
Around 85 hotels will be set aside for the 2,000 media representatives expected to attend the games, and the remainder will be for general tourists.
“We will also prepare almost 180 guesthouses to accommodate visitors during the games,” Mr Khampadith said.
He added that the department usually organised a service standards and experience workshop for hospitality businesses so they know how to take care of guests and provide them with excellent service.
Lao Plaza Hotel Assistant Sales and Marketing Manager Thongphanh Thavisay thanked the government for trusting in the hotel's standards of service as they prepared to serve VIP guests from the region.
“We have a yearly budget to improve our hotel and we have improved many things here, now we are upgrading our restaurants and coffee shop and believe they will be complete by this October,” he said.
Don Chan Palace Hotel is one of three hotels which has been selected by the SEA Games organising committee to host the snooker competition, and expects 2,000 viewers for each game.
Hotel Director Beny Cheok said the hotel and convention centre would host the billiards and snooker events for this year's SEA Games, therefore conference facilities would also be being upgraded for officials and media.
“To compliment this special event, more than 20 extra pieces of fitness equipment have been imported from the US to cater for hotel patrons.”
“As this will be a hectic event, the hotel has specially opened Champa Kiosk, a convenience store, to cater to the needs of hotel guests after a tiring day.”
“The hotel rooms are being upgraded to provide delegates and participants with a more comfortable stay during this event,” Mr Beny said.
A representative of Novotel said the hotel aimed to raise the standard of food, security and other services.
Novotel Hotel Personal Relation Executive Aliya Panyaphon said the hotel cooperated with village security and district police forces to ensure security 24 hours per day.
They also continued to upgrade staff members' skills to ensure fine food and service for guests, both domestic and international.
“Every three months, we have a Novotel trainer from Thailand come to train our staff to ensure the standard and quality of services.”
“Some of them have trained in basic service with Vientiane Tourism Department, but most through the activities we are undertaking for the SEA Games.”
According to a Lao National Sports Committee paper printed yesterday, more than 5,100 people including 909 officials and 4,245 competitors from 10 countries in the region will attend the games. The committee is still awaiting the details regarding exact numbers of participants from Timor L'este.
By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes
