Sorry, this news is in Lao language, but i will try my best to summarize it for you.
After Newyork Times, the world famous newspaper ranked Laos as the number one place to visit in 2008, huge number of tourists are expected to visit Laos in 2008. Vietnam was ranked as #1 in 2007 and the statistic of tourists visit Vietnam increased enormously. The ranking 2008 may pose both positive and negative impact to Laos. The negative impact is that Laos lacks infrastructures and good services to accommodate large number of tourists. Some hotels and guesthouses try to increase the price and leave negative image of Laos to visitors.
To Lao nai and Lao Nork! I think this is a good chance for us to delvelop our parents land in tourism field and we also can show the world the real of Laos.
2008 Laos ranked number 1 of travel destanation, 2009 Laos still lack of Hotel to welcome friends from 11 Asean countries on Seagames25. And i think afterSeagame25 Laos will welcome more tourists from Asean countries! It's really good chance!
Thanks for sharing your translation.. I do agree that it will be challenging for Laos to delevop since we don't have the capital and resource to do it quickly..my hope is that the people of Laos will learn through the tourism process of 2008 and improve upon it gradually as we approach the SEA games in 2009...it won't be an easy task, but I'm sure we'll be able to provide a great cultural experience for everyone to enjoy!
I think the problem that Laos has in accomodating foreigners is that there is not that much travelling to and from Laos. I learned this first hand at the airport where there are only about 9 flights a day to and from Laos. I think in order for Laos to be ready for the SEA games in 2009 is to make more flights available, train their employees further, add more accomodations to hotels. Laos could be very prosperous if they know how to market the country.
