LUANG PRABANG EYES ROADS TO LIFT TOURISM
More road links are planned to popular Lao drawcard Luang Prabang to make it easier for tourists from Thailand and other neighbouring countries to visit the World Heritage town. Luang Prabang provincial governor Khamkhan Chanthavisouk, said: “To provide more convenient transport links to neighbouring countries and other provinces in Laos, we are planning to build more roads and bridges. “Convenient transport is very important for tourism, so the authorities are planning to build more road links and provide more flights, so we can better connect with Asean countries and the rest of the world.
“We are currently upgrading the 90km road between Chomphet district in Luang Prabang province and Hongsa district in Xayaboury province. “The road running to the Thai border, which is about 30km from Hongsa district, is also being improved.” He said funds are also being sought to build a bridge across the Mekong linking Luang Prabang and Chomphet district. “This is where we plan to develop a special economic Zone. At present, Chomphet district is only accessible by boat so getting there will be much easier if there’s a bridge,” the governor said. “Another project is the building of a 114km road to the Vietnamese border in Dien Bien Phu province. We believe this would open another door to overseas tourists wanting to visit Luang Prabang and other parts of the country.” Khamkhan said the province would propose construction of the bridge and the road link to Vietnam at the government’s monthly meeting in March. Besides infrastructure development, the province is also working to improve the services sector and preserve the area’s natural beauty, as this is very important for visitors’ enjoyment and may encourage them to stay longer. – Vientiane Times
Source: The Nation, Thailand 13 March 2018