Lao, Korean businesses mull ways to attract more Korean tourists

Tour operators and related business operators from Laos and the Republic of Korea are looking at ways to draw more Korean visitors to Laos after the first group of Korean tourists came to Laos under the green travel programme.
The Laos-R. Korea Tourism Association recently held a seminar at the Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Vientiane, when members of the Asian Korean Association and the Asian Korean Business Association also took part online.
Korean representatives from 60 cities in 22 Asian countries joined the online and off-line event and discussed possible future cooperation, including business opportunities and plans to encourage more Koreans to take holidays in Laos.  President of the

Laos-R. Korea Tourism Association, Mr Sisouk Chitpasong, said tour operators have benefitted from simplified procedures in bringing in tour groups from foreign countries after the government eased entry restrictions.
The government has eased restrictions since partially reopening the country to foreign tour groups at the beginning of this year, under the green travel programme, which requires compliance with Covid prevention and control measures to ensure safety.
“In general, the documentation system [procedure] introduced since the launch of the green travel programme has been good and very well facilitated. Providing PCR tests on arrival at border crossings is satisfactory for visitors,” Mr Sisouk told reporters.
“Although there are some minor issues that need to be addressed, they are not a big deal,” he added.
Hosted by the association, a group of 28 Korean tourists visited Laos from April 2-9, making it the biggest group of tourists since the launch of the green travel programme.
Since the programme has been launched in January, some 505 people have visited Laos as holidaymakers, according to the

Mr Sisouk Chitpasong talks to local media.

Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Mr Sisouk thanked the ministry, especially the Information, Culture and Tourism Department in Vientiane, for their supportive cooperation and facilitation, given that the submitted document was approved and signed in just one day.
Like other tour operators, Mr Sisouk welcomed the proposal submitted to the government by the ministry, which recommends that the government fully open the country to foreign visitors starting next month.
The report was based on the outcome of a meeting between relevant state departments and tourism-related business operators when they reviewed the implementation of the green travel programme and discussed future plan.
Key proposals include:
- Permit visitors to take a Covid antigen rapid test and wait no longer than two hours to get the result
- Waive compulsory quarantine for people who test negative
- Issue visas on arrival and e-visas (electronic visas)
- Provide clear information concerning Covid-19 insurance.

Participants discuss scheduled agendas during the seminar.

The ministry also recommended continuing with partial reopening in case the proposed full-reopening was deemed unsuitable at present.
Mr Sisouk said his association issued the recommendations through the ministry’s office and looked forward to seeing the government’s decision.
The seminar also discussed the post-Covid situation and future tourism policies.
Attending the seminar were the Korean Ambassador to Laos, Mr Im Moo-hong, President of the World Korean Association, Sim Sang Man, and other relevant officials.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update April 12, 2022)