Travel company represen-tatives from around the country on Friday called on government organisations involved in tourism to solve some pressing issues facing their industry.
President of the Lao Association of Travel Agents Ms Vayakone Bodhisane said members want the government to remove the existing tax of 5 percent paid to the Lao National Tourism Administration for each tour group member – and replace it with a charge of US$1 per person.
The association also wants the government to open more visa desks at Wattay International Airport . Only one desk is open for incoming flights, causing delays of up to two hours when many tourists arrive at the same time, she said.
Ms Vayakone's comments came at a meeting in Vientiane to discuss training activities in 2007 for the members of the association. The meeting was co-chaired by the Head of the Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA) Mr Somphong Mongkhonvilay and Ms Vayakone.
“We will focus our training this year on marketing, business management and IT skills for travel agents, and languages and customer care for tour guides,” she said.
She said an intensive four-day course on marketing for travel agency managers will be held in both Vientiane and Luang Prabang province from May 9 to 17.
The European Union-funded training will be led by experts from Leeds Metropolitan University in England . It will emphasise marketing to attract European business and tourists.
This course follows from a detailed training needs analysis undertaken by the Netherlands Development Organisation.
The Vice President of the LATA, Mr Bouakhao Phomsouvanh, reported the association plans to work with the LNTA to organise a familiarisation trip for international tour operators who will visit Huaphan province in May. They will survey new tourism sites for caravans and look at local festivals which could attract tourists.
LATA is a non-profit association founded in 2004 with formal approval from the LNTA.
It gives members the opportunity for training, and organises seminars to improve their skills and knowledge of the industry. The association currently has 46 members. There are 96 travel companies registered in the country.
By Panyasith Thammavongsa Vientianetimes (Latest Update April 30, 2007)
