Management agreements have been signed between Centara, a leading hotel operator in Thailand, and the Asia Investment, Development & Construction Sole Co. Ltd (AIDC), a well-established enterprise in Laos.

In the Unesco World Heritage site of Luang Prabang, Centara plans to open the “upper upscale” Centara Grand Luang Prabang and a midscale Centra by Centara property, both near the town centre.

The third property will be under Centara’s new lifestyle brand, COSI, catering to the growing segment of connected, freedom-loving travellers. It will represent a unique offering in Vientiane, the Laotian capital, according to a news release on Tuesday.

The management agreement comes as Laos launches ambitious new plans to promote tourism. In recent years, the government of the Lao PDR has come to regard tourism as a priority sector for driving socio-economic development. It hopes to attract 5 million visitors in 2018 and to increase the numbers in the years ahead with a Visit Laos campaign under the slogan “Simply Beautiful.”

The country’s picturesque mountains, atmospheric towns, and humble friendliness are being discovered by Thai, Chinese and Western visitors.

And it has one factor particularly in its favour: superb value. According to a new report from the Swiss-based World Economic Forum, Laos ranks 14th among 136 countries in price competitiveness.

“This partnership with AIDC is a great opportunity to expand our footprint into a distinctive country,” said Centara CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat. “Laos is on the list of more and more travellers to this region, and we want to serve them with the distinct and varied accommodation options to match the travel experience they are seeking.”

Luang Prabang is the well-preserved, old spiritual city at the confluence of the Khan and Mekong rivers. Although well-served by direct flights to its airport and modern amenities, it lives up to its World Heritage status with beautiful temples and traditional riverside life. Bicycles outnumber cars. Delicious baguettes, croissants, cafés and French restaurants hint at the French colonial history in both Luang Prabang and Vientiane.

Pheutsapha Phoummasak, president of AIDC Laos said, “We are excited to partner with Centara to bring their trusted brands to these great cities and further promote the tourism potential of Laos. Luang Prabang and Vientiane are very popular destinations for both Thai and international travellers thanks to their perfect blend of history, beautiful scenery and charming character.”

The three new hotels are the latest evidence of Centara’s expansion strategy, which calls for doubling the number of properties under its management over the next five years. This latest development will see Centara’s hotel count in Laos reach four, with Centara Plumeria Resort Pakse already well under development and scheduled to open in 2020.

 Despite the drop in Chinese tourists over the last four months, a rise in non-Chinese tourists may actually help boost the overall economy, top officials said.

A rare drop in tourist arrivals in October, caused by a sharp fall in the number of Chinese visitors, has cast a shadow over the country’s economic outlook.

“Overall arrivals in October totalled 2.7 million, down 0.5 percentage point from the previous year, due to a sharp drop in Chinese tourists,” permanent secretary for Tourism and Sport Ministry, Pongpanu Svetarundra, told a news briefing on November 21.

Since the Phuket boat tragedy in July, the number of Chinese tourists to Thailand dropped by 12 per cent in August, 15 per cent in September and nearly 20 per cent in October.

Around 646,000 Chinese tourists visited the Kingdom last month, registering a drop of 19.8 percentage points year on year. Tourism revenue from the Chinese market fell by 16.5 per cent to Bt34.6 billion.

However, he said, more than 37 million tourists had visited Thailand over the past 10 months, rising 7.8 per cent from the same period last year. Tourism revenue hit Bt1.6 trillion, up 9.9 per cent.

“But the numbers are still below target. We need to meet our target of Bt370-billion revenue in the last two months of this year, which would be a miracle. However, I don’t think we will miss our annual target of Bt2 trillion,” Panupong said.

The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) echoed his sentiments.

“The Chinese market got slightly better, but still has not recovered. The fall in the number of Chinese tourist arrivals is primarily due to a loss of confidence and the weakening of the Chinese currency and their purchasing power as a result of the [US-China] trade war,” Chairat Triratanajarasporn, newly appointed president of TCT, told The Nation.

So, in an effort to give tourism a boost, the government and private sectors have joined hands to woo tourists with various campaigns.

The government last Wednesday launched the quick-entry e-Visa on Arrival (E-VOA) system for 20 countries – including China – waiving the Bt2,000 visa fee for 60 days at two airports. Meanwhile, the government’s economic tsar, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, earlier this month made a deal in Shanghai with Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba to help promote Thailand as a tourist destination.

Officials expect the waiver on visa-on-arrival fee will bring an additional 2 million Chinese tourists.

“With the E-VOA and Amazing Thailand Grand Sales: Passport Privilege campaigns, we hope to target Chinese tour groups who are sensitive to the weakening yuan,” Tourism and Sport Minister Weerasak Kosurat told The Nation.

He added that the government has taken the highest security measures for the just-salvaged “Phoenix” boat, which sank off Phuket province in July, taking with it the lives of 47 Chinese tourists in order to regain the confidence of Chinese tourists.

“The short-term drop of Chinese tourists hopefully ended by October. The number of tourists visiting Thailand over the past 10 months still showed a 10 per cent rise and revenue during that period was 12 per cent higher,” Weerasak revealed.

Tourists from Hong Kong and Taiwan showed a 25 per cent and 20 per cent increase respectively. Tourists from Asean countries rose 9 per cent, while domestic tourism also showed a 9 per cent increase. Also, some 1 million US citizens visited Thailand, showing a 5.6 per cent increase in arrivals and 12 per cent rise in revenue year on year.

“The Europeans were the biggest spenders, with higher revenue of over 30 per cent. Canadians and Russians were also big spenders, creating an increase in revenue of 22 per cent and 20 per cent respectively,” Weerasak added.

“We hope the rise in non-Chinese tourists will help us reach our target.”

However both Weerasak and Chairat agreed that other positive factors like newly opened malls and tourist destinations plus expanding Michelin Guides to tourist destinations may boost spending.

The Riverside mega-mall Iconsiam aims to draw 150,000 tourists per day, while many Chinese tourists have also checked out Bangkok’s newest tourist attraction, the Mahanakhon Skywalk.

Thailand’s highest 360-degree observation deck and rooftop bar at 314 metres high offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city from the country’s tallest building – King Power Mahanakon.

Announced last Wednesday, Thailand’s second edition of Michelin Guide Bangkok has also expanded its eateries guide to cover Phuket and Phang Nga.

“We hope Chinese tourists who love eating and shopping will spend more money while staying here. In January, the private and government sectors will jointly host a free dinner for 10,000 Chinese tourists in Bangkok by serving 5 tonnes of sticky rice with 500 mangoes. This will be recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records,” Chairat said.

“We will also work to expand tourism to second-tier provinces. However, long-term security, fair pricing and good hospitality will bring back sustainable tourism to Thailand,” he concluded.

Tee Chayakul, country manager of Traveloka Thailand, said on Tuesday: “Tourism revenue from Thai tourists travelling within Thailand has increased by 5.4 per cent to more than Bt930 billion out of Bt2 trillion in total tourism revenue, representing about 19-20 per cent of gross domestic product.

“A key factor driving growth in the OTA market is the unprecedented expansion of the middle class. This particular group values the opportunity and importance of travelling and isn’t worried about spending in exchange for more rewarding travel experiences. Additionally, the strong competition among airlines has played an important role in increasing the number of travellers.

“In Thailand, as the market continues its growth momentum, Traveloka has managed to become the country’s most downloaded flight and travel app after starting our operations just three years ago. Traveloka has experienced a 300-per-cent increase in growth based on the number of app downloads, or a threefold growth year-on-year, since our establishment in 2017.

“Given this jump in growth, Traveloka is well-positioned to become the No-1 online travel agency in Southeast Asia under the concept of #Enabling Mobility.”

Tee added that the company was now committed to maintaining its growth momentum by introducing a wide range of customer-centric products and services through three strategies: data innovation, content-centric and content marketing.

Traveloka, which is based in Indonesia, recently unveiled its latest feature, “Online Flight and Hotel Booking Packages”, offering users even more bundled convenience, together with “Airport Transport”, ensuring that trips include pick-up and drop-off services.

Weerasak Kowsurat said on Tuesday he would hold talks with the Public Health Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration on how to upgrade quality of dishes sold by street vendors in the capital.

He revealed plans to invite representatives of the two agencies to discuss how to ensure street foods are hygienic by offering advice on how to store ingredients and how to properly clean utensils.

Weerasak said his ministry would also work with municipalities in provinces to boost the quality of street food in other cities around the country.

He said the Tourism Ministry would launch an awareness campaign for tourists, explaining the characteristics of each dish to help them get the most out of eating on the street.

Citing the latest available figures, Weerasak said that as of 2016 there were 103,000 street food outlets in Thailand, constituting 69 per cent of all food shops in the country.

File photo: Loy Krathong festival in Sukhothai.// The Nation Photo

The festival, featuring light-and-sound shows, will take celebrants back in time to the glory days of Sukhothai 700 years ago, when it was the capital of Siam.

Key sites have undergone a massive clean-up, including Wat Mahathat and the plaza where the King Ramkhamhaeng Monument stands.

Opening day on Friday will feature rites at Wat Traphang Ngern with offerings made to the long-ago kings of Sukhothai.

File photo: Loy Krathong festival in Sukhothai.// The Nation Photo

Also planned are a krathong float competition and a Krathong Queen beauty pageant.

Another highlight will be a ceremony on November 22 at 11pm in which lanterns sent by His Majesty the King and other members of the royal family will be floated on the pond at Wat Sra Sri.