Laos seeks big spenders

VIENTIANE, 29 November 2013: Laos is seeking  international tourists who will spend more money than regional visitors from neighbouring Southeast Asia.

Vientiane Times quoted Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism’s Department of Tourism marketing director general, Saly Phimphinith, as saying that while the number of tourists visiting the country has increased in recent years the bulk were short-term visitors from neighbouring countries, in particular from Thailand.

More than 3.3 million tourists visited Laos last year, injecting US$513.5 million into the economy.

But 2.8 million of them, or around 84% of total arrivals, are from Southeast Asia with an average length of stay of one to three nights.

Last year, 1 million Thais visited Laos staying just one night in the country with an average daily expenditure of US$20 per person, generating a total US$21 million in revenue.

The director general said regional tourists generated US$238.3 million in revenue. There were just 470,000 international visitors in the same period, but they spent US$275.1 million.

He said the average tourist spent US$156 in Laos, while in some other countries it was around US$800 to US$1,000 per person.

This seemed to contradict the claims that Thai travellers spend just US$20 a day in Laos, a figure that is highly unlikely considering Thai travellers love to shop, dine and drink alcohol, while even budget class hotel sell at US$50 to 60 a day.

“Tourist expenditure could be improved by upgrading facilities like accommodation, restaurants, transport, tourism sites, access roads, public utilities, and information services,” the director general argued.

“While facilities have been improved in the main cities like Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, and Champassak, towns experiencing interest from tourists could not keep up with demand…Xieng Khuang, Khammuan, Luang Namtha, Oudomxay, and Bokeo are short of hotels.”

He said Laos was hoping to attract groups more than individual tourists as they are easier to control and they have less impact on local culture.