Lao Tourism Members invites Japan

A send-off party was held for the 10 Lao members representing the tourism development in Laos.They were invited to the “JENESYS Tourism Development Program in 2011 “ which is sponsored by the Japanese Government together with members from Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

This program was conducted to follow-up the “Mekong-Japan Symposium on Ancient Capitals” held in Nara last year. The objective of the program is to have a better understanding of tourism in Japan and to expand a tourism network among concerned members in the 5 Mekong countries. The group will leave for Japan on 23rd May for an eight-day visit.

The Lao members were selected from the public and private sectors, such as the Ministry of Information and Culture, the Lao National Tourism Administration, Department of Information and Culture from Vientiane Capital, Campasak Province, Xiengkhouang Province, Vatphu World Heritage Site Department, the Mekong Lao Travel Co. , Ltd, and the Viengchampa Tour Co. , Ltd.

In Japan, the delegation will be divided into 2 groups according to their working field. One group will visit Oze in Gunma Prefecture to study eco-tourism which involves combining local agriculture with tourism promotion. The other group will study the active use of cultural heritage for tourism in Gujo in Gifu Prefecture. Both groups will have opinion exchanges with their counterparts and have an interaction with the local Japanese people.

During the send-off party, Mr. Thongsa Sayavongkhamdy, Director General of Heritage Department, Ministry of Information and Culture expressed his gratitude to all involved, and was confident that this program will bring wonderful benefits to both sides and a greater cooperation and understanding between our two countries.The party was also attended by members of the Lao National Tourism Administration, the Ministry of Information and Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Embassy of Japan in Vientiane.

Source = laovoices