As a sign of respect, President​ Thongloun​ Sisoulith​ gives flowers to an elephant at the start of the Elephant Festival in Xayaboury province​ on Saturday.     -​-Photo​ Xayaboury​ provincial​ official

Xayaboury kicks off Visit Laos Year programme with Elephant​ Festival​ ​

The 17th Elephant​ Festival hosted by Xayaboury province began with great fanfare in the provincial capital on Saturday, marking a colourful start to the province’s Visit Laos​ Year​ 2024 programme.
The popular annual festival, which saw President Thongloun Sisoulith take part in the opening ceremony, features a range of events, including a parade of 75 elephants, with some of the animals performing circus acts and competing in a fun painting competition.
There are also cultural performances, skydiving, and a beauty contest.
The Deputy Governor of Xayaboury province, Mr​ Phetphixay​ Sounvilay, said that this year’s festival, as in previous years, was intended to spotlight the continuing need to preserve Laos’ dwindling elephant herds. Elephants are part of Laos’ heritage, he said, adding that it was also important to preserve the longstanding close links between elephants and the people of Xayaboury.
The festival promotes the conservation of elephants, with 75 of the mighty beasts from around the province assembling in a grand spectacle, providing a great opportunity for visitors to see the animals close up and learn about their association with Xayaboury and the strong bond they have always had with the province, he added.
The event also allows mahouts to gather together and discuss their care of elephants. Because of the small number of elephants that exist today, it is difficult for them to mate and reproduce, so the gathering of so many in one place on this occasion is also beneficial in this respect.
To ensure tourists enjoy their time in Xayaboury during Visit Laos Year, restaurant and hotel staff and other individuals providing tourism-related services have been given extra training about cleanliness and safety, and an attempt will be made to keep prices at reasonable levels.
Xayaboury is situated in northern Laos about 300 kilometres from Vientiane. It has many attractions for visitors including 29 officially designated nature-based attractions, 12 cultural sites, and six places with historical associations, so it is well worth spending some time exploring the area.
The province is relatively undeveloped but is readily accessible within Laos and from neighbouring countries and contains a National Protected Area that is rich in biodiversity, so nature lovers are sure to enjoy their time here.

By Times​ Reporters​
 (Latest Update February 19, 2024)