25th SEA Games, Laos

The Accommodation, Food and Tourism Committee (AFTC) has called on hotels in Vientiane to maintain high standards in the lead-up to the SEA Games next month.

Many hotels have begun to install decorations to welcome guests, including the flags of each nation participating in the event.

AFTC Director and Vice Mayor of Vientiane, Mr Somvandy Nathavong, said all hotels must maintain standards in all facets of their services to ensure guests enjoy their stay.

Mr Somvandy urged hotels to provide clean and nutritious food, while also offering good quality service and promoting Lao culture.

Ensuring visitors enjoy their stay during the games will encourage them to return in the future and help to boost tourism, he said.

The AFTC held a meeting yesterday at the National Culture Hall to report on preparations to welcome guests to Vientiane . In attendance were AFTC officials and members of the hospitality industry.

The meeting learnt volunteer and liaison teams are ready to assist in work relating to accommodation, dining and sightseeing.

The AFTC has assigned certain hotels to accommodate delegates and officials from different countries. Don Chan Palace will host guests from Brunei , Cambodia , Indonesia , Laos , Malaysia , Myanmar , the Philippines , Thailand , Singapore , and Vietnam .

The Lao Plaza Hotel will accommodate guests from Japan , Mongolia , Brunei , Korea , and China , as well as Vietnam and Thailand .

Various other hotels will host referees and other organising officials, while athletes will stay at the SEA Games Village at the National University of Laos.

Health officials have carried out inspections of hotels and guesthouses in Vientiane recently to ensure they can provide high quality services during the games.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong

Hospitality businesses in Vientiane have sent staff to a workshop to upgrade their service standards and experience in the lead-up to the 25th SEA Games this December.

Hundreds of employees from various hotels, guesthouses and restaurants in Vientiane gathered at the Vientiane Tourism Department yesterday in Vientiane to participate in the 15th annual workshop on high quality hospitality services.

Department Director, Mr Khampadith Khemmanith said at the opening ceremony that the upcoming SEA Games has increased interest in this year's workshop.

“In previous years there were not so many participants, but hospitality businesses are looking to improve their standards before the nation hosts this important event.”

The workshop is taking place from July 20-24 and will provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to provide high quality services in hotels, guesthouses and restaurants.

“Some local services are not good compared with international standards, so the workshop will upgrade skills to ensure that guests at the games receive the best services possible,” Mr Khampadith said.

More than 195 hotels have been designated for visiting officials during the games. 90 hotels will be for VIP guests including Lao Plaza , Novotel and Don Chan Palace hotels. “Those have high standards and quality of service and are suitable for VIP guests.”

Around 85 hotels will be set aside for the 2,000 media representatives expected to attend the games.The remainder will be for general tourists.

“We will also prepare almost 180 guesthouses to accommodate visitors during the games,” he said.

“After completing this workshop participants will know how to take care of guests and provide them with excellent services so they enjoy their stay in Laos .”

In the lead-up to the games, tourism officials will inspect the standards of hotels, guesthouses and restaurants to ensure they are hygienic and suitable for guests during the games.

The department will also advise hospitality businesses of suitable prices to charge guests as well as producing guidebooks and improving sightseeing facilities.

Vientianetimes