Latest news with #CultureandTourism
The Star
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Laos strives to develop strong tourism growth
This photo taken on January 28, 2024 shows Chinese tourists at a train station in Luang Prabang. From January to March 2025, Laos welcomed 1,262,035 foreign tourists, marking an 11 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. - AFP VIENTIANE: Laos' Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism will roll out a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening the tourism sector, attracting more visitors and boosting national revenue. According to Lao National TV on Friday (June 20), the ministry will focus on improving access to tourist sites, upgrading transport and facilities to meet both national and international standards, and ensuring a safe, clean,and enjoyable experience for visitors. Key priorities include enhancing infrastructure and transportation within and around major tourist destinations, as well as diversifying tourism offerings through greater involvement of local communities and the private sector. The government also aims to strengthen the management of popular tourist towns and improve service quality by aligning with Asean and national tourism standards. To boost visibility, promotional efforts will be expanded across various media platforms, ensuring accurate and timely information reaches a broad audience. In support of economic growth, the government will promote the adoption of digital payment systems to encourage domestic currency circulation, while also modernising border checkpoints to streamline entry procedures for travelers. The ministry will also encourage closer cooperation with tourism associations and neighbouring countries, and review visa policies to enhance accessibility for international visitors. These comprehensive efforts are part of a broader strategy to position Laos as a more attractive, competitive, and sustainable tourism destination within the region. From January to March 2025, Laos welcomed 1,262,035 foreign tourists, marking an 11 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, domestic tourism experienced a remarkable surge, with 1,467,886 local travelers recorded, a 98.6 per cent rise compared to the same period last year. - Xinhua
United News of India
a day ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Pahalgam buzzes with tourists weeks after Operation Sindoor: Union Tourism Minister
Srinagar, Jun 19 (UNI) Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday said the scenic town of Pahalgam in south Kashmir is once again bustling with tourists over a month after the Operation Sindoor. The Union minister, who arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday, visited Pahalgam today 'A peaceful day in Pahalgam, buzzing with tourists and calm barely a month after Operation Sindoor. It speaks volumes of the resilience of the people and the vision & commitment of PM @narendramodi ji for the development of the region,' Shekhawat posted on X while sharing a video of his interaction with tourists in Pahalgam. 'Tourism-driven growth, grassroots development, and renewed confidence- this is Naya Kashmir, the shining crown of New India,' he added. The April 22 Pahalgam terror attack which left 25 tourists and a local dead has dealt a crushing blow to Kashmir's tourism industry. After the attack, India launched "Operation Sindoor" which brought the two countries to the brink of war. 'A heavy heart but one filled with hope in Pahalgam this noon. Visited the site of the dastardly terror attack and interacted with locals and tourists who have brought the region back to its lively spirit and everyday rhythm. The strength of the people, their unwavering hospitality, and the quiet resolve to not let fear define them. This is the real soul of Kashmir,' the Minister said in a separate post. The Union Minister also held an interaction with local hoteliers in Pahalgam. '..Gave me great joy to interact with tourists soaking in the valley's beauty, and to spent time with local hoteliers and hospitality entrepreneurs understanding both their challenges and opportunities. The quiet determination of the local hospitality business community to keep Kashmir welcoming and vibrant is truly heartening,' Shekhawat said. The Union Minister also met Sajjad Ahmad Bhatt, the courageous young man who carried an injured young tourist on his back for several kilometres after the Pahalgam terror attack. 'In a moment of fear and chaos, he chose courage & humanity above all. His selfless act is the real reflection of the spirit of Kashmir - brave, compassionate, and unwavering,' the Minister said. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday evening held a detailed meeting with the Union Minister for Tourism, to discuss strategic measures for strengthening the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir. The one-on-one meeting focused on a broad range of initiatives aimed at boosting tourism infrastructure, promoting heritage and cultural sites, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities. Both leaders underscored the significance of tourism as a key driver of economic growth and cultural exchange in the region, an official spokesman said. During the interaction, Union Minister Shekhawat emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts, stating that such engagements reflect 'our collective commitment to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a global tourism destination that celebrates its culture, nature, and people.' Chief Minister expressed appreciation for the Centre's continued support and reiterated the Government of Jammu and Kashmir's resolve to revive and reimagine the tourism sector to unlock its full potential for inclusive development. UNI MJR RKM
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Lao govt outlines comprehensive plans to boost tourism
Vat Xiengthong temple in Luang Prabang city is one of the most popular visitor attractions. -- Teng VIENTIANE: The Lao government is rolling out a series of ambitious initiatives to attract more international and domestic tourists, ranging from infrastructure upgrades to smarter digital promotion and streamlined travel procedures. Addressing the National Assembly last week, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Suanesavanh Vignaket, highlighted plans to transform the visitors' experience and strengthen Laos' position as a leading travel destination in the region. A major focus will be on improving road access and upgrading facilities at key tourist attractions to ensure they meet international standards. Authorities will improve services and standards across the tourism industry, partly through the introduction of more diverse and interesting activities, while also paying greater attention to safety. In addition, more will be done to promote tourism in Laos in various ways, including advertising in the media, to ensure that accurate and clear information is readily accessible by a wide range of target tourism markets. The payment system will also be overhauled so that payments by tourists are made through the Lao banking system with the aim of increasing domestic currency circulation. In another move to make life easier for visitors and officials, document checks at border crossings will be streamlined and personal information will be recorded in a database, Mrs Suanesavanh said. The government and businesses will join forces to organise tourism promotion activities in conjunction with festivals, with more events to be included in the tourism calendar for 2025 and successive years. There will be a concerted effort by central and local government personnel to modernise the licensing of tourism business operations, to ensure that tourism business management is unified across the country, the minister added. In addition, tourism associations will be encouraged to work with business operators in neighbouring countries to create programmes that promote tourism links and facilitate travel between these nations. Tourism authorities will do more to target specific groups in neighbouring countries by directing advertising to their particular needs and interests, in a bid to attract more tourists to Laos and generate more income. In the first three months of this year, more than 1.2 million foreign tourists visited Laos, an increase of 11 per cent compared to the same period in 2024, while the revenue generated surpassed US$426 million. Meanwhile, the number of domestic tourists exceeded 1.4 million, representing an increase of 98.6 per cent and generating revenue of more than US$237 million, Suanesavanh said. - Vientiane Times/ANN
The Star
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Laos strengthens efforts to attract Chinese tourists
Chinese tourists take photos in front of the Patuxay monument in Vientiane, Laos, May 1, 2024. - Xinhua VIENTIANE: Laos' Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism held a signing ceremony for the terms of reference for the Lao Tourism Representative in China, aiming to more effectively promote the Lao tourism brand to Chinese travelers and further enhance bilateral tourism exchanges between Laos and China. During the event on Thursday (May 29), Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Dalany Phommavongsa, presented the official appointment letter to the head of the Lao Tourism Promotion Centre in China, recognising their role in leading tourism promotion efforts in the Chinese market. In his speech, Vongdeuan Keosulivong, deputy director general of the ministry's Tourism Marketing Department, said that the Lao Tourism Promotion Centre in China has made significant contributions to advancing Lao tourism. He expressed hope that tourism exchanges between the two countries would continue to grow, helping to raise the international profile of Lao tourism. Since 2019, the ministry has established tourism promotion centres in China's Beijing and Changsha. The ministry has also developed and managed official online platforms to promote Lao tourism. - Xinhua
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- The Hindu
Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan to perform bhumi puja for ₹98 crore ‘Akhanda Godavari' project
Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan will perform bhumi puja for the Akhanda Godavari project, for which the Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned ₹98 crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), in the first week of June in Rajamahendravaram City, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Tourism Kandula Durgesh said here on Monday (May 26). The mega tourism project is envisaged to beautify the Havelock Bridge across the river Godavari between Kovvuru and Rajamahendravaram. A glass walk and other attractions on the bridge are a few facilities proposed to be built on the bridge, which was commissioned in 1897 and abandoned by the Indian Railways. 'A tent city on an island, Bridge Lanka, at the Havelock bridge location, tourist attractions in the Kadiyam flower nurseries and Kovvur and Nidadavolu are part of the Akhanda Godavari project, which will be commissioned before the commencement of Godavari Pushkarams-2027,' Mr. Durgesh said in a press conference. All the ghats, primarily Pushkar Ghat, will also be renovated as part of the beautification component of the project.
