Phim Hay 360s

Khone Phapheng waterfall in Champassak province has earned more than 350 million kip for provincial tourism authorities over the first five months of 2008, according to a tourism official.

“Eighty percent of visitors to the waterfall are from Thailand and Europe and the rest are tourists from other provinces in Laos ,” Khone Phapheng waterfall tourism official Sisavath Bouapaseuth said yesterday.

He said the money received was from entry fees to the waterfall, which are 3,000 kip for Lao nationals and 10,000 kip foreigners.

Many tourists visit the cascade just before the rainy season because it is the best time of year to view the waterfall.

“Most tourists schedule a visit to Khone Phapheng before or after going to Vat Phou because these are the best natural and cultural tourist attractions in Champassak province,” Mr Sisavath said.

He said the numerous handicraft stalls and restaurants at the waterfall also benefited from the growing number of tourists.

A tourist from Thailand , Mr Bounta, who visited the waterfall last week, said the site was so beautiful he took almost 500 photos to show to friends and family in Bangkok .

Another visitor from Vientiane , Ms Nilanda, suggested authorities set up more handicraft stalls in the area to promote traditional Lao products.

Khone Phapheng waterfall is considered the largest by volume in the Southeast Asia region. Amongst the fall's many channels and rocky outcrops visitors can view local people going about their daily work, including setting fish traps.

“Due to the increasing number of tourists, we are doing what we can to protect the environment. We have installed rubbish bins and urge visitors to consider the impact they have on the site,” Mr Sisavath said.

He said almost 50,000 people had visited the falls so far this year and believed these figures would continue to increase in the future.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

Oudomxay province has announced the opening of Chom-aung cave as its newest tourist attraction.

The cave is part of the province's new long-term strategy to integrate its tourism industry with that of Luang Prabang province, to encourage visitors to the world heritage site to continue on to Oudomxay.

Officials said Chom-aung is one of the longest caves in northern Laos , and is located 40km from Xay, the largest town in the province, and is accessed by a gravel road.

The Head of the Oudomxay tourism office, Mr Sivan Bounsavath, said yesterday that only some parts of the cave were open to tourists. “The cave is very long, spread along a mountain range, and we are yet to find its limits,” he said.

He added that the cave, which officials had begun surveying in 2003-2004, is between 30 to 40 metres wide and has a permanent flow of water through it. Fish swim in the underground river.

Home stays are now available at Chom-aung Tai and Chom-aung Neua villages where tourists can take a two or three day trek.

A trip to the cave is part of the trekking programme to explore natural forests, waterfalls and farmlands and to see how local people make a living.

Officials said several caves are waiting to be developed for visitors, but the province has limited funding.

Xay, the provincial town of Oudomxay , is being developed with new buildings and roads and is rapidly becoming a gateway to the northern provinces .

Last year, tourist arrivals reached almost 70,000 people, an eight percent increase over the year before. Tourists enter the province from Bokeo or Luang Prabang province.

Mr Sivan said more than 100 tourists visit Pakbeng district on the Mekong River every day and some of them continue onto Xay.

O ne third of the tourists come from Western countries and the rest are from China and Thailand , he said.

Programme tours mostly feature trekking to observe the lifestyles of the 14 local ethnic groups and experience the natural environment.

According to the tourism office, Oudomxay province has eight hotels, 50 guesthouses, four resorts and 92 restaurants.

The main challenge is the undeveloped roads leading to the best tourism sites. In the rainy season, some sites are completely inaccessible, but the provincial authorities will be tackling this issue soon.

“We have seen the potential for growth in our tourism industry, but we also face a challenge to develop enough facilities and maintain the roads,” Mr Sivan said.

“Our strategy stipulates tourism development to generate income for local villagers as part of our poverty reduction plan,” he added.

By Somsack Pongkhao
Content: Vientianetimes
Photo: Ecotourismlao