Laos Gears up to Host ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024
Tourists visit the Patuxay Park in the Lao capital Vientiane on June 30, 2023. Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua
- By Xinhua News Agency
- October 9, 2023 7:10 PM
VIENTIANE — Lao authorities have discussed ways to ensure that preparations for the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Tourism Forum 2024 (ATF) will be completed on schedule.
According to Lao national TV report on Monday, the ATF will be held in the Lao capital Vientiane from Jan. 22 to Jan. 27, 2024, under the theme "Quality and Responsible Tourism -- Sustaining ASEAN Future."
The dates were announced at a meeting held in Vientiane on Thursday to report on the progress of preparations for the forum, chaired by Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket.
"We still have a lot of work to do, such as revising the ATF 2024 action plan, creating a travel program for delegates, and ensuring that restaurants serve up good quality food in a clean environment," the minister said.
"In addition, we must make sure that entry and exit procedures at border crossings are well organized, and that we can import all the goods and equipment needed by visiting delegates."
Director General of the ministry's Tourism Marketing Department Khom Douangchantha said a lot of progress had already been made in preparing for the forum.
Laos previously hosted the ASEAN Tourism Forum in 2004 and 2013, which led to a surge in visitor numbers in subsequent years.
