Lao Voices

Luang Prabang provincial tourism officials have arranged extra accommodation for more than 100 visitors to meet the high demand during Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year), said a senior official yesterday.

The Deputy Head of the Luang Prabang Provincial Tourism Department, Mr Khamtan Somphanvilay, told Vientiane Times yesterday that authorities decided to set up the department office as extra accommodation for visitors because hotels and guesthouses are fully booked.

The department can accommodate about 30 guests, but authorities plan to put up tents in the grounds as well. Several tourism agencies have expressed their willingness to provide accommodation, so the town should be able to accommodate more than 100 extra visitors, said Mr Khamtan.

Visitors seeking further information can contact the Luang Prabang Provincial Tourism Department.

He said authorities have a limited number of tents, but if tourists bring their own then there will be space for them.

The decision to arrange extra accommodation was made following the failure to coordinate village home-stays for visitors who missed out on hotels or guesthouses.

“Earlier this week we discussed with villagers the possibility of home-stay options, but they said there was not enough time to prepare,” Mr Khamtan said.

He said this failure was a good lesson for authorities and they would organise this type of accommodation in advance next year.

Although hotels and guesthouses in the province are able to accommodate around 5,000 guests, almost 2,000 more than last year, the province still has insufficient lodgings for the number of tourists wishing to celebrate the New Year in Luang Prabang.

“Many people booked rooms up to one year ahead, as Luang Prabang is renowned for its Pi Mai Lao celebrations,” Mr Khamtan said.

The province expects to welcome around 22,000 people over the festive season, including those guests staying with relatives and friends.

A ccording to the President of the Provincial Hotel and Guesthouse Association, Mr Kounchanthaboupha Vongsaravanh, the province will be better situated to cope with the influx of visitors next year, when five 5-star hotels, currently under construction, will be complete.

Every year during the peak holiday period, hotels and guesthouse are booked out. This year is particular busy because Luang Prabang officials are marking the third consecutive year of the town winning a “Top City Gold Award” from England’s leading travel magazine Wanderlust , with a parade of the medal as part of the celebration activities.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
April 10, 2008
Vientiane Times - Vientianetimes.org.la