(09/02/24) You only have to Google some of Laos’ tourism
hotspots to see why people who
visit the landlocked country end up falling in love and want to return
time and time again.
The country may not have the picture postcard
beaches of neighbouring countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar,
Thailand and Vietnam, but it is extremely rich in natural beauty
and cultural gems, that are more than capable of keeping travellers
enthralled for days and weeks on end.
Plus, as Laos’ tourism industry is still in the
relatively early stages of development, visitors can enjoy all it
has to offer in relative peace and harmony, without the massive
queues and throngs of people more developed countries have to cope
with.
Lao Airlines Airbus A320 reg: RDPL-34188. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com
That said, one of the country’s biggest challenges
that Laos has needed to overcome from a tourism perspective has long been
air connectivity.
Whilst there are a growing number of airlines who
now fly to Laos, including Air Busan (BX), Bangkok Airways (PG),
China Eastern (MU), China Express (G5), China Southern (CZ), Jeju
Air (7C), Jin Air (LJ), Sichuan Airlines (3U), T’way Air (TW),
Thai AirAsia (FD), Thai Airways (TG) and Vietnam Airlines (VN),
the national carrier Lao Airlines (QV) has seen limited expansion.
To learn more about what plans Lao Airlines has to
expand its fleet, crew and route network, Steven Howard sat down
with Chanthanon
Khampheng, the flag carrier’s Deputy Director – Commercial and
Marketing, at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos.
The interview below, filmed on 25 January, is
available in both HD video and audio podcast formats.
Lao Airlines – Interview with Chanthanon
Khampheng, Deputy Director, Commercial and Marketing
PODCAST
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