The Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), Mrs Chanthachone Vongsay, addresses the news conference on Monday.

Sabaidee Luang Prabang Festival to boost tourism businesses

The Sabaidee Luang Prabang Festival will be held during October 6-12 as part of efforts to boost businesses in the tourism sector and related supply chains to overcome the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic over the past three years.
The festival is being hosted by the SUSTOUR Project, which is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented in partnership with Plan International Laos, to aid post-pandemic economy recovery.
The event is being supported by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), the Luang Prabang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Luang Prabang Associations of Travel Agent and Hotels and Restaurants.
The festival will be centred around Luang Prabang city, the world heritage site in Luang Prabang province that used to be one of the tourism hotspots prior to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The festival will also promote sustainable consumption and production practices throughout the Lao tourism supply chain, stimulate sustainable tourism and support local businesses and entrepreneurs following the pandemic.
The multi-sector collaboration of international organisations, government partners and the private sector will benefit tourism-related businesses and promote Lao traditions and culture.
Addressing a news conference on the upcoming festival, the Vice President of LNCCI, Mrs Chanthachone Vongsay, said: “Sabaidee Luang Prabang Festival is being organised to encourage and support MSMEs in Laos to become more sustainable and to raise awareness about the importance of being responsible travellers.”
She said the first festival of its kind will generate income for the local people, businesses and entrepreneurs involved in the tourism supply chains. It will be held on the sideline of the End of Buddhist Lent Day, which is joined by people from all walks of life.   
The Sabaidee Luang Prabang Fest is one of the significant activities aligned with the Lao Thiao Lao campaign, also funded by the EU and implemented by Plan International Laos, LNCCI and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Addressing the conference virtually, the Vice President of the Luang Prabang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms Veomany Duangdala, said: “We expect the unique and iconic traditions and culture, tourist sites and environment-friendly products will draw many domestic and international tourists to Luang Prabang and support local businesses.”
She called on  businesspeople and the public to participate in traditional activities, whereby they will not only be able to enjoy street decorations with lanterns and lights but also be able to buy local products.
At the same news conference, the Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the EU in Laos, Mr Vincent Vire, said his organisation is proud to be part of the festival.
“Our support contributes to the Lao Thiao Lao campaign to revive tourism, promote and preserve the culture and heritage of the country, and foster sustainable consumption and production practices in the tourism industry,” he said.
The EU is supporting Laos by contributing to the Lao Thiao Lao campaign, backing the preservation of culture, and promoting sustainable consumption.
“The tourism sector contributes to employment. The borders are formally open for foreign tourists, and it is great to see their return, but there is still a small number of tourists from the European countries. The EU is willing to support this kind of programme to bring back those high-end visitors to this wonderful land again,” he said.
The Director General of the Department of Trade Promotion under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Mr Xaysomphet Norasingh, said the festival is an opportunity for consumers to experience quality products.
It is one of the ministry’s goals to support the private sector to grow in a sustainable manner, and several programmes have been implemented to promote tourism-related products through the sustainable use of nature in parallel with environmental care and protection. This is significant for the national economy to reach international standards, he said.
Many activities during the festival will highlight local tourist sites and traditional music and handicrafts, and there will be traditional costume competitions, lantern competitions, local cuisine, a candle parade, trekking, cycling and a mini-run for children.
The festival will provide space for local entrepreneurs and businesses to showcase their products at an exhibition at Heuan Chan Heritage House, which is located in Luang Prabang city.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 21, 2022)